Advice for a network of 3 computers (2 of for my kids)???

Just to cut a long story short, I have dabbled with computers since the days of the ZX81, so have some experience of computers with the exception of one main factor.

Networking I had some time out in my career away from computers for a few years and it was during this time that Networking really took off for home users and subsequently I completely missed the transition into home networking. This has left me always unsure about what can and can't be done and how it is achieved.

I hope that some of you experts will be able to offer some advice about the following question:

My 2x children are now at an age where by they not only use computers at school but use them at home.
We have 2x computers at the moment, this is my main computer, the kids have an XP 32bit powered desktop. Nothing special but enough for them to do what they want to.

However, we are looking into the not to distant future and can see them having a desktop each in their bedrooms. The main purpose will be to facilitate helping them with their homework.

This leaves me with a number of questions.

1, I currently have a 4 port router. This connects the 2 computers currently (hardwired) to the internet.
Ideally I would like to be able to have admin control over their desktop pc's, mainly to prevent them (as best as I can) from ruining the OS, but also to ensure control how they connect to the internet. Is this possible?

2, Would their own 2x computers be accessable to the internet via the router if they were connected directly?

3, What would be the best way to prevent to set up this system especially with regard to protecting all 3 computers (mine especially) from virus' and hackers?
I have all the usual firewalls and anti virus installed on all computers.

I would appreciate any advice on this.

Many thanks in advance.

there is another way you can share files between systems using dc++
all you need to do is download dc++ and ynhub
install dc++ to all the systems you want to share the data on - you can even share data between windows and linux - and then install ynhub on any one the the systems you want to use as a host. then run command prompt and type ipconfig and hit enter
there look for the ip address of the network adapter you want to use and in ynhub type that ip address in the host ip collum
then in dc under file go to quick connect and type the same ip
in preferences under sharing add the folders you want to share on each system and your sharing is set up.

TableLeg said:

Just to cut a long story short, I have dabbled with computers since the days of the ZX81, so have some experience of computers with the exception of one main factor.

However, we are looking into the not to distant future and can see them having a desktop each in their bedrooms. The main purpose will be to facilitate helping them with their homework.

I would appreciate any advice on this.

Many thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

<rant>I am an avocate of not allowing computers in bedrooms for children under the age of 18. Period. Even though you might be the best parent in the world, some kids can get into trouble without having a lot of real world experience.
</rant>

That said I would recommend using your router and making sure all of the computers are set to the same workgroup. Setting each of them up as non-admin users and creating a common share on each of them that they can add and subtract files in.
A good firewall on each of them with a good AV is also a necessity.

There are routers that allow you to list url's that are not allowed to specific internal IP's. Education is great and most kids will learn but they are inquisitive and sometimes just can't resist clicking on a link to some wonderful and cheap software or music. Gotcha....

Do not give them the administrators password. You install the programs that they need. Special permissions to some directories can be given by the administrator.

Rich