Sharing wireless internet

Hi all. This is a really newbie question but I don't want to start spending and be wrong...

I've just moved into a new house, since it was built 20 something years ago the electricity and phone connections are totally inadequate so the problem that I have is 1 phone port in the hall (ground floor) and 2 computers (1 Desktop and 1 Laptop) wanting to connect to the internet, 1 on the 1st floor and 1 on the 2nd.

What I was hoping you could tell me is what the best way to do this is. I am expecting to buy - 1 wireless router, 1 PCMCIA wireless ariel and 1 PC card. I'm avoiding USB because they seem to be slower and/or more expensive.

My dumb questions are -

1) Is that all I need?

2) Will one of the PC's have to act as a network server (and be on all the time the other wants to use the internet/wireless network) or will the router do that job?

3) Can I use my current broadband modem with the router or would you recommend buying a router with inbuilt modem (I assume you can)?

4) How carefull should I be about mixing makes of hardware and what makes would you recommend (bearing in mind 1- it's only an internet connection, 8mb at fastest, probably no file sharing 2- I've got 2 floors to connect through and I'd like it to be stable)?

Thanks all. Apologies if this has been asked before, I had a look around but couldn't see any 'how to' or 'what do I need' threads.

Orb

 

A1. Yes

A2. You do not need a Network Server that is the Job of the Router in such a setting. Only the Modem, the Router, and the computer that you use at the moment need to be On.

A3. The combo Modem/Router is Not a good idea since they are not as good as stand alone Routers and it reduces you configuration flexibility.

A4. As long as you use standard 802.11g equipment, you can mix hardware.

Log here there is a lot of info about Home Wireless, http://www.ezlan.net#wireless

The whole thing should look like this, http://www.ezlan.net/network/router.jpg

 

Thanks cat5e, your help much appreciated. Wish me luck and hopefully I won't be back in a week or two asking what has gone horribly wrong...

Cheers,

Orb