Setting up a small wired/wireless network

**K-B** · 02-25-2009, 04:51 AM

Hi guys,
I'm trying to network 2 computers at our business. The one computer is a stationary desktop computer, and the other is a laptop. I have a Linksys WRT54G wired/wireless router. Now, the laptop is going to be connected wired to the router 90% of the time. The other 10% it will be connected wirelessly. Is there any special set up involved to do this? The "main" desktop computer will be acting as a peer-to-peer "server" (there is no dedicated server) for a business management program. I need access to this peer-to-peer network on the laptop both when plugged in and when mobile (obviously within the constraints of the wireless signal). I'm a real n00b with networks.

h2osmack · 02-25-2009, 05:26 AM

Both connections, if set up normally, will work fine. The problem may be that even if you plug it in it may continue to use the wireless signal as default, or vice versa, i'm not so sure about that, just something you may run into.
I think maybe it comes down to speed issues. How fast do you need to be accessing the server? It might be more benificial to keep the laptop wireless.

**johnwill** · 02-25-2009, 06:17 AM

The wired connection will take precedence over the wireless connection, this will work fine. I routinely plug in laptops here for faster transfers.

**K-B** · 02-25-2009, 06:20 AM

The software company does not recommend using their product wirelessly, because of reliability. I'm not sure if it's really much of an issue as long as I don't use it with a marginal signal strength.
Thanks for the answers though.

02-25-2009, 04:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
K-B Mod. Linux, Wrench Turner Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,891 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Setting up a small wired/wireless network Hi guys, I'm trying to network 2 computers at our business. The one computer is a stationary desktop computer, and the other is a laptop. I have a Linksys WRT54G wired/wireless router. Now, the laptop is going to be connected wired to the router 90% of the time. The other 10% it will be connected wirelessly. Is there any special set up involved to do this? The "main" desktop computer will be acting as a peer-to-peer "server" (there is no dedicated server) for a business management program. I need access to this peer-to-peer network on the laptop both when plugged in and when mobile (obviously within the constraints of the wireless signal). I'm a real n00b with networks. __________________ Last edited by K-B; 02-25-2009 at 04:53 AM.

02-25-2009, 05:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
h2osmack Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Notlob Posts: 51 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3, Windows Vista 32bit SP1, Ubuntu 9.04 JJ	Re: Setting up a small wired/wireless network Both connections, if set up normally, will work fine. The problem may be that even if you plug it in it may continue to use the wireless signal as default, or vice versa, i'm not so sure about that, just something you may run into. I think maybe it comes down to speed issues. How fast do you need to be accessing the server? It might be more benificial to keep the laptop wireless.

02-25-2009, 06:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,940 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	Re: Setting up a small wired/wireless network The wired connection will take precedence over the wireless connection, this will work fine. I routinely plug in laptops here for faster transfers. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-25-2009, 06:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
K-B Mod. Linux, Wrench Turner Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NY Posts: 2,891 OS: Vista, Ubuntu My System	Re: Setting up a small wired/wireless network The software company does not recommend using their product wirelessly, because of reliability. I'm not sure if it's really much of an issue as long as I don't use it with a marginal signal strength. Thanks for the answers though. __________________