I am needing some education on "Routers"

Not sure if this is the right place for this post/thread, but I am needing some education on "Routers".

I'm pretty much a 'router-virgin', and am needing to 'split' a high-speed connection from the main machine (a laptop) to my desktop. Can someone point me to a good (relatively simple) tutorial (link) regarding this (what cables will I need - etc., etc., etc.)? All I am sure of is that I have a Linksys router (2nd-hand, and perhaps a bit "dated" - 2-3 years-old at least) to hopefully make work.

Also, can someone suggest a good quality, inexpensive webcam? I had been recently looking into getting myself an endoscope - which I understand can be used as a webcam, but will it take still pics that can be displayed on websites/printed, etc.?

Thanks in advance,
g...

 

Hi Grc, are you wanting to have a wireless or wired network?

Either way the only Wires you are gonna need is ethernet cable(s) and the power supply wire/plug for your router.

Assuming our going wireless, you just connect your modem to your router with an ethernet cable or possibly a usb, then you need drivers to enable your PC and laptop to connect to the router.

If you need any help with this, were gonna need the model number of the router and 'puters and the OS you use.

 

Thank you ~Q~!

Yes I'm going to need a wireless network...I will get back with the info you requested asap - but it will be much later today - at the earliest - or perhaps even tomorrow - however, I GREATLY appreciate the offer of help!

Chat later,
g..........

 

if its a wireless network, then you plug your modem into your wireless router and you need wireless cards/adapters for each of your components, and they SHOULD pick up the network as soon as you enable them.....

 

routers- both good brands.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122016
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124284

for cable, get cat5e or cat6. both support gigabit ethernet.

for setup, plug a cable from your modem to the routers WAN/internet port. then your computers plug in to the other 4 switch ports, or wireless.

 

Oh yes, i am assuming you lappy and PC is wireless capable!
[lappy almost definitely will be, desktop may not be]

And Groinshot is right to say "SHOULD" as routers are fickle things so ther are no guarantees, but im an optimist

Q

 

Well, here I am, more than a month later, and just finally getting around to this...

I'm "hooked-up" here, but I keep having to establish (reset) the (wireless) connection every time I restart my machine (?). Also, it seems to want to "dial" for the connection as well - and this is a high-speed cable connection which runs into the ISP-supplied router.

I am CERTAIN that I've checked or unchecked a box (or three) somewhere that's causing this. There were so MANY settings, etc., and of course I was OFF-line whilst attempting to do all of this on my own, soooo...

Thanks to all who initially replied, but this is all pretty much foreign to me, and I have no clue what questions to ask - much less what the answers are. Any takers (please)?