Setting up home networks

keith32 · 14-09-2008, 01:59 PM

I run a B&B and wish to offer my clients wifi access to the internet, at the same time I want to network my two pc's and a portable together as a privete network. At present one pc is cable linked to the router the other by wifi to the livebox. I can't seem to add my portable by wifi as it doesn't like the network key which I have from the Livebox. All the computers are VISTA, what am I doing wrong?

ricebread · 26-11-2008, 10:56 PM

I've been having fun setting up my own network and discovered some pitfalls so I may be able to offer a little help, but I'm no expert. My system has all XP machines, not vista although when my daughter visits, her Vista system can work on my network set up

I am not sure how you are setting things up. Here is my suggestion. Have your Cable/DSL modem connect to the WiFi Router's Internet port. It should be set up in Infrastructure mode. All your PCs and your guests' PCs can connect to it for Internet access with a common security key set up on the Router. You can still use a cable to connect to the router if that is convenient for the PC.

You can still share material between your PCs, using user specific privileges in the sharing dialog. That will prevent your guests from access your Private PC files. In this set up, no PC accesses the internet "through" another one.

There are lots of solutions, probably some more elegant than this. My advice is free and worth every penny. Good luck.