networking 3 computers

right now i have 2 comuters networked with a crossover cable but i should have another today so how should i go about adding this to the network should i get another crossover cable and nic for the number 2 computer
this is how i will have it set up will it work with crossover cables

(1_____2_____3) will that work?

 

you could bung another network card in one of the exiting pcs and then use a cross over cable to connect the 3rd, or you could set up a router and connect all 3 pcs to that. or if you want to splash out, which i plan to do soon! , is to get a wireless router and go wireless with all of them. but for now, i think another network card and another crossover cable or router with 3 network cables will work fine.

 

I would go with the router...it is just more simple....

 

You can get a simple hub real cheap (less than $20) and it will be a easier to deal with than adding another NIC.

 

A switch or hub would work just fine.

 

If I were you, I'd get a Linksys (or any other brand but I prefer Linksys) Router that is wireless (11.g is better) that also has 4-ports for wired connections. This way even if your laptop will be using a wired NIC you could still attach it to the router with a cat-5 cable, if not you connect the first 2 directly and use the laptop with a wireless NIC. Router would provide a HW firewall functionality along with DHCP functionality that would make adding/taking new nodes from your home network much easier.
Such router should cost you $25 & up depending on the brand.
For each PC that you are going to connect via CAT-5 you will need to buy the cables obviously.
How you are going to connect the laptop to this network is your call (wired/wireless).
This setup would also allow room for future expansions.

 

Router is the way to go.
One benifit with router is a Hardware firewall.
Another is you dont need to turn on one PC to go online with another.
I have Dlink 4 port router:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?model=DI-604
(I got for $20 at officemax aprox 2yr ago, was simple to setup, works flawlessly) and 5 port switch connected to it.
I have several PC's and networkable MFC unit connected. It's sweet!
I also run software firewall's on all my PC's
If you want to share a printer, get a print server or printer with built in eithernet and connect that to your router or switch, It's better/faster and has no effect on other pc's on your network.

 

cool thanks for all your input i will have to try it only thing is this compaq if you make it mad the network does not work on it oh yea will i have a problem with 3 of them useing windows98se and one useing xp home

 

Just to clerify, If all you are doing is connecting computers, a switch or hub will do. A router does what it imply's, it routes packets to a destination determined by a protocal. This is a layer 3 device, where as a switch is at layer 2 and does not route, it allows multiple devices to share the same domain. If you have a DSL or cable modem and you want to connect multiple PC's to the internet, then by all means spend money on a router. I would use a Linksys wireless router that also has ethernet ports as well. This way if you are not ready to go wireless right now, you can at least connect via the ethernet ports on the router and do wireless later. All are good recommendations here, but I just want you to understand what you are getting if you decide to buy a router.

 

There is no need to buy a wireless router if he isn't going wireless just yet. The cost is far more and you're liable to other people stealing your internet, dispite having an inbuilt firewall in the router.

 

Wireless routers have come way down on price and can be picked up on sale for 69 bucks at big stores like best buy or walmart. Besides....if you don't get a wireless now....and decide to get one later...you have to spend the full amount for a wireless besides what u spent on the hub or std router. Anyway...there is my 2cents worth!
Linksys is a great product for the money....i'd stick with them!
L8tr!

 

If you use WEP its less likely some one can use your internet. Although I'm sure there are way's to break the algorithm, your normal Joe is not going break this and use your internet. So if you use wireless please use the WEP feature otherwise you are open.

 

wireless yourters DO have the option to turn the wireless feature OFF. just incase you were wondering... and they do have pretty advanced security, which would keep most people out... and if you were really that worried about security then well... you would probably know enough about what you needed to do