A router to a wireless network
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I have three Windows 98 computers which I interconnected with a multiport hub in an attempt to form a home based network.In addition to the three desktops in my home,I also have a notebook with Windows 2000 Professional.I want to connect the Windows 98 computers to my notebook.Question is,should I use a router or an access point to form a wireless to wired network? I am new to networking so I appreciate any help from you people.Thanks.
Resource-based security
A resource-based network is a kind of a peer-to-peer network.In a resource-based networe, as usually found in Windows 9x NOSs,the individul resource themselves store the information about who can access the resource and what they can do.What is important about resource-based networking operating systems like the Windows 9x NOS is that there is no central storage for security information--each resource is in charge of its own security.A peer-to-peer network exemplifies the resource-based security.
You can connect your 3
You can connect your 3 desktops and laptop to a hub and still make them talk to each other. Only thing to take into consideration is how to assign network ip addresses.
From your problem it seems that your laptop maybe be connected to some wireless router whereas 3 desktops are on wired network. If thats the case, then make a wired connection between your hub [uplink port] and the wireless router. Most routers are set in DHCP mode, so you will be all set.
If you cannot pull a long wire between your wireless router and the hub, then most probably you will have to replace the hub with wireless-bridge. Wireless bridge is similar to wireless+hub and then you can connect the three desktops to this bridge.
More info on Wireless Bridge
Regardless of what you do
Regardless of what you do with your network setup ... firstly stop using Win98 , that product is no longer supported. Please bring yourself to this century :)
A router to a wireless network
You are the second person to tell me to say farewell to Windows 98.True,Win.98 might be outdated but it works and as far as file and printer sharing,it works OK as I have been using it for the last three years..However,I see the writing on the wall to hang up windows 98 in the closet--and join the modern networking trends with the newer versions of Windows.Thanks for the advice.
The only reason why i asked
The only reason why i asked you to stop using win98 is that, this product has reached its end-of-life. That means, Microsoft wont release any patch for Win98. So any bugs in IE5 which you might be using on win98 wont get fixed. Maybe you are using firefox, but even then many of the underlying technology is vulnerable in win98 and would not be getting fixed.
If you are using win98 because XP/Vista require hardware upgrades, then probably you can try using some flavor of Linux on those machines. Its never late to learn.
A router to a wireless network
Thanks for the informative description of the wireless to wired network connection for my Windows 98 and notebook.Question is:How will access the Internet when the two Windows 98 are only connected to/by the point-2-point bridge.I can understand how the wirelessly connected notebook the internet,but can the two Windows 98 system connect to the internet via a bridge? I thought you can do that--I mean connect to the internet through a router?
How will access the Internet
How will access the Internet when the two Windows 98 are only connected to/by the point-2-point bridge.I can understand how the wirelessly connected notebook the internet,but can the two Windows 98 system connect to the internet via a bridge?
Win98 would be connected to wireless bridge, the bridge would then be connected to router. So when Win98 box would say "hey where is google.com?" the packet will go to the wireless bridge, then wireless bridge would pass that packet seamlessly to the router.
Since, your laptop has a wireless card and everything, that can connect to the router over the air.
Network security
I am in the process of putting into practice the help you just offered: a)Connecting the Windows 2000 Professional (I just upgraded to Windows 2000. b) Connecting the wireless bridge to the router c)Connecting the notebooks wirelessly to the wired Win 2000 network.The star topology will,I am sure work perfect.What I am afraid of is that one of my teenagers ( I have two of them) is always messing around with the PCs when I am not at home.He bring some of his friends from school and they "experiment" with the internet.I want to control access to the whole network as well as his to his computer,one of the Win 2000 PCS. Not only that I want to install physical security for the network.A friend mentioned something like encryption,MAC addresses and SSID on a piece of paper he left me and told me to check them on the net. How will encryption, MAC address and SSID protect me from the crafty teenagers? Please, briefly explain.I shall apprectiate.
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