Here to There

Q: I want to network my two computers at home but one is in a guesthouse. Any thoughts? Cost? Etc
David G.
A: If you are planning on networking your computers you have two primary options.Your two options are to go wireless or go with a patch cable. I personally prefer using hardwire or patch cable, but that may not be practical in your situation. Wireless networking can be reliable and safe once security issues are addressed. The equipment that you may need is a router, hub, an ounce of patience, and a switch depending on how you want to use your network. You can actually save some money and space by purchasing router, switch, and hub integrated into the same unit. They are sometimes called web gateways. These integrated routers start in price from about $60. You can find them in Circuit City, BestBuy and the like. Dlinks, Netgear, Belkin, and Linksys are several manufacturers of routers for home networks. All of them are more or less the same, although I found that Netgear has pretty good customer service, which is both a rarity and something that you may need. Also, you want to ensure that you install the router on the computer that has the Internet software on it.
You probably do not want unsightly cables running from your main house to your guest, so wireless is likely the path for you. If your guesthouse is out of range for your wireless router, you may consider trying to either boost the router signal or the receiving antennas’ signal. You can increase the signal strength by moving your house computer as close to the guesthouse as possible without it being impractical. Also, you can move the computer in the guesthouse as close to your main house as possible with out it being impractical. If this does not resolve your wireless signal issue then you may consider buying an omni directional or bi directional antenna to pull the signal in from the main house. You can find them on eBay or in an electronics store. They range in price from about $30 to over $100s’. The price is normally proportionate to the power of the antenna. . If you feel enterprising, then you can build one out of
a Pringles can (the original can, not the plastic ones) or a soup can, and some parts from HomeDepot. The instructions can be found online. You will need the appropriate connector for the computer in the guesthouse. If it is a laptop then you may need a PC card if one is not in your system. This brings me the security concern that I alluded to earlier. To prevent other people from logging onto your wireless network you can hide your service set identifier or SSI. Instructions should be included with the hardware information. If not call the manufacturer. The bad news is that this does not work well with Microsoft XP.