new networker

[oracle128]

Hey, got a long one for u guys!
I've got a:
1) Desktop
Pentium I 166
16 Mb RAM
1.2 Gb HDD
Win 95
Banksia Wave 56k External Modem

2) Desktop
Pentium III 550
128 Mb RAM
10 Gb HDD
Win 98
Conexant 56k Internal Modem

3) Soon to get:
IBM Laptop
Not sure of specs, but comes with an ethernet card and Windows 2000.

I was thinking of buying a D-Link Network in a Box Kit here http://www.dlink.com/products/kits/dfe905/
For the 2 desktops (comes with 4-port 10/100MB Ethernet Hub, two 32-bit PCI 10/100MB Ethernet adapter cards, driver software on floppy disk, two 20-foot UTP cables, one power adapter, two installation guides and a CD).
I am totally new to networking too.
I have a few questions about the posibility of getting these networked:

1) Would it be OK to run a network between the 3 different OS's? (Win95,98 and 2K)

2) Would I need any other software for a setup like this?

3) Would I need to have one of the computers as a 'server' (if so, preferably not the laptop, because I still want a network between the 2 desktops without having to connect up the laptop, HOWEVER the laptop will be a faster system)?

4)Would it be easy to share things through the network (eg. Printer, Scanner, Internet Connection)?

5) Is the D-link kit fast? (i'm not sure of networking terms and measurements eg. *** do "10/100Mb" and "32 bit PCI" mean?) and would the slower computer (P166) slow down the network to an unbearable speed?

6) How would games like Duke 3D and Red Alert 2 run on this setup (i'm talking about Red Alert 2 between the faster desktop PC and the laptop, i'm not expecting to run RA2 on 16 Mb RAM! lol)?

Any explanation of how this kind of network could be setup and managed would greatly be appreciated too. Thanks!

Oh, and if u need any other information it would be no problem, or if u could tell me anything of use, that would be great.
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<FONT COLOR="blue"><FONT size="3"><FONT face="Comic Sans MS">This has been another Oracle128 word of wisdom brought to you by ZIPPO pet food</FONT f></FONT s></FONT c>

[This message has been edited by oracle128 (edited 09 March 2001).]

[Junky]

1) Would it be OK to run a network between the 3 different OS's? (Win95,98 and 2K)

yes

2) Would I need any other software for a setup like this?

no

3) Would I need to have one of the computers as a 'server'

yes, for internet sharing.

4)Would it be easy to share things through the network (eg. Printer, Scanner, Internet Connection)?

yes, should be if you purchase decent quality equipment.


5) Is the D-link kit fast? (i'm not sure of networking terms and measurements eg. *** do "10/100Mb" and "32 bit PCI" mean?) and would the slower computer (P166) slow down the network to an unbearable speed?

don't know, I always have used Linksys. They manufacture a good product at a low price. Check out their web site for setting up a LAN: www.linksys.com (http://www.linksys.com)

6) How would games like Duke 3D and Red Alert 2 run on this setup (i'm talking about Red Alert 2 between the faster desktop PC and the laptop, i'm not expecting to run RA2 on 16 Mb RAM! lol)?

don't know, most likely will work just fine.

Any explanation of how this kind of network could be setup and managed would greatly be appreciated too. Thanks!

again, check out www.linksys.com (http://www.linksys.com) for instructions on how to setup a LAN.

If you run a LAN and use one computer as a LAN server, and you have the other computers sharing the internet...you'll need a proxy with a firewall. Sygate puts out a good software product to do this. www.sysgate.com (http://www.sysgate.com)

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Moderator of Hardware & Overclocking

[This message has been edited by Junky (edited 11 March 2001).]