Windows 7: Networking 101

Is there a tutorial available or any good links to learn about networking? I have Googled but am becoming more confused.

Some detail of my situation. I have a wired desktop (cable w/ modem) and have purchased a laptop and want to create a network. I would like the desktop to remain wired and the laptop and printer will be wireless.

What I think I need; a wireless router. The modem will connect to the router via ethernet. I can plug the desktop in to one of the ports on the router, which keeps it wired. The laptop and printer will connect wirelessly to the router once a network has been established.

Some of my questions; is the router all I need? I see mention of Wireless Access Point but I think the router has that built in.

My printer is currently wired to the desktop (USB) but it is wireless capable so I think that would be the way to go so I can then print from either computer.

Will it be pretty straightforward to connect the lappy and printer to the router? And make sure both computers and printer are networked? *This is my main concern, but I suppose once I am doing it it will make sense*

Assuming I set security up correct will there be potential for issues with the desktop since it will be on a wireless network (albeit wired) as I plan to only use the desktop for financial transactions and such?

Thanks for helping an old newbie.

Yes, a router is all you need (maybe a cable too). Once you have everything plugged in and connected you'll need to ensure that both computers are in the same workgroup and any folders on the machine(s) you want to be able to access across the network are shared. You'll need to follow the instructions for your printer on how to set it up as wireless, you'll need to install software on both computers to do this.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.

Can anyone comment on the need for a gigabit ethernet port equipped router vs. standard?

If the desktop will be wired will the standard 10/100 be sufficient? I've seen mentions of how the wired connection will be slow with the 10/100 but wouldn't it be the same as just using a modem alone as I am now?

If you're only connecting the one computer, I doubt you'd notice the difference between 100 meg and 1000 meg (gigabit) so don't spend a lot of extra money to get it, but if the cost difference is minimal go for it.

Read everything that comes with the Wireless Router. You should be able to find some networking help there for your particular situation, though don't count on it being in depth.

Basically you just need to get things hooked up to one another and powered on. Then Power Cycle the Cable Modem. All the Cable Modems I've encountered "marry themselves" to a specific hardware address and don't want to talk to anything else. Power Cycling it will cause it to marry to your router instead of your computer.

Once that's done, the easiest way to pick up your IP address is to reboot the router, then the computer once the router is back up. There are other ways, but I'm keeping it simple on purpose.

Learning networking was one of the best things I ever did. I encourage you to pursue it if you're at all interested beyond the basics it takes to get connected.

Good luck with it and have fun above all.

A gigabit ethernet adapter becomes useful performance wise when transferring files between 2 computers on your network. In order to see max performance, both computers and the router need to have gigabit adapters. As mentioned above, if you connect only 1 computer to the router for internet access only, then you won't see any difference. With 1 computer wired and the other wireless, your performance (when transferring files) will be gated by the speed of the wireless connection.