Please help me with this networking...

Alright im trying to network an old computer wirelessley,and im really confused,what would i need to buy and do?The old computer does not have an ethernet port or USB,and runs on windows 98.Then how do Wireless routers work?Do they plug into something in the back of the computer or what?

 

You need
1 wireless router
1 wireless pci card for each pc you want to network.

Look here:
http://www.vicomsoft.com/knowledge/reference/wireless1.html
&:
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-network.htm
&:
http://compnetworking.about.com/

 

So I don't need to buy a PCI netowrking card to install an ethernet or what.(so confused)

 

Asus made it failry clear but let me re-hash what he said:

EACH PC needs a network interface card (NIC), the question is what type of NIC? And that depends on how you plan to connected to the router.
If you are going to use a wireless router and want the PC to connect via wireless access then you would need to purchase a wireless type NIC and install that on a PCI slot on the subject PC.

Some wireless routers also do have ports for wired connection but again the key question is 'how do you want to connect the PC to the router?"

Hope this clarified thing a bit more.

Here is an example:
You have a Wireless Router with 4-ports on it as well (ports are used for wired connections obviously)

PC1 will connect via a CAT-5 ethernet network cable
PC2 will connect the same way
PC3 doesn't have any NICs installed but wants to connect via wireless access.
Laptop1 has a build in wireless card.

You would need to get couple of CAT-5 network cables (not crossover just the straight normal type) and connect PC1 and PC2 to the available ports on hte router.
Purchase a wireless PCI type NIC for PC3 and install it in an available PCI slot.
Laptop is pretty much ready to go.

 

Whats the difference between a switch and router?

 

Most home/small office routers do also function as a Firewall and DHCP server if those features are enabled. DHCP (Domain Host Control Protocol) assigns IP address to local machines using internal(local) IP assignment process. IP addresses for workstations in a private LAN do start with either 192 or 10 as the first octat (ie. 192.168.0.1 being used for Routers by default) With this example Router assigns as many IP addresses as needed (but not to exceed 254) and the IP address will be like 192.169.1.XXX, 192.169.1.XXX+1, 192.169.1.XXX+2, etc. So they are more automated and in a sense intelligent comparing to hubs and switches.

A switch does not assign IP addresses, hence no DHCP functionality, it checks the data in the network and allows pass-thru to the IP addresses if one points a node connected to it, so it is semi intelligent but much like a glorified HUB.
I try to keep the explanation simply and personal without pointing to a more technical web site because at this point I didn't think it was necessary but if you like to read more on it and would like to see the links check under 'Networking' section of the forum and you will find many....