Changing Network Setup

[Pilgrim]

I once described anything concerning networks as a Black Art so if anything I say is not correct bear with me me.

I am planning to change my network and given past experience I am asking for advice before I start.

Present network:
2 computers both using XP-SP3 connected by cross-over CAT6 cable.
PC connects to internet through ADSL modem.
Netbook shares internet connection through PC.

Networx installed on both computers.
Monitors modem on PC.
Monitors wireless (when used) on Netbook.

Planned network:
Both computers wired to router using CAT6 cables.
Enable connection for printer and scanner on both computers. (Presently wired to PC.)

Networx set-up to only read traffic to internet, NOT LAN traffic.

I am reasonably confident about getting the network set-up but I am not confident about setting up Networx.

I have read the Networx manual but I am still far from clear about what to do.

In case it is relevant all the IP addresses for both internet connection and the network are in the 192.168.x.x range.

At present there is only one internet connection, through the modem.
As I understand it if both computers are wired to the router there will be two.
What I want to do, if possible, is to have all internet traffic logged just on the PC.

There is an option in Networx to sync a second computer but as the LAN traffic is running through the same cables I do not see how I can avoid reading that as well.

Any advice appreciated.

Edit: I have looked for network set-up information but what I found was years old especially on the MS site.
I have emailed the Networx developers but replies are not very quick, the same seems to apply to replies on their forum.

[INDRANIL]

ok Pilgrim you can use the below diagram . In 1. diagram you can use one pc to connect with the router then share the connection with other pc and printer too as a shared network printer or In 2. diagram connect a pc with the router then share the connection with switch. You can connect pc & printer with the switch also the netbooks too. No idea about Networx, But CCProxy is a good alternative you can try it too . Dont laugh at my diagram because I'm not a good artist . The diagram below -

[Pilgrim]

Hi INDRANIL,

Thanks for the reply, no need to apologise about the diagram, they laughed at Picasso's work at one point, look how much it's worth now.

Starting with diagram 1, each computer only has one ethernet port and no way to fit a second, so if the computers are joined together I can only use a modem (USB) as I do now, not a router.
The printer and scanner are both connected to the PC by USB.
(Neither of them have an ethernet socket.)

With diagram 2, I do not have a switch and I do not particularly want to add more hardware unless I have no option, although your suggestion to use one would solve the problem of monitoring internet traffic only, as everything would go through the PC as it does now.
(Since I started writing this I have been doing some reading about switches and they all seem to have ethernet ports, so my printer and scanner would not connect to them unless there is a USB to ethernet adapter?)

Keeping in mind that I know very little about networks; my original thought was to connect each computer to one of the 4 ethernet sockets on the back of the router but besides the problem of only monitoring internet traffic I was uncertain about using the printer and scanner with that layout, one reason, which applies even to my present set-up, is that only the PC has the software installed for them.
Would I need to install the software (drivers etc) on the Netbook as well?

In case it is of any use the router that I normally use is a Netgear DG834G.
I also have a D-Link DSL-2640R but that would need setting up as it has never been used.

Due to coming into contact with some black ice this morning I had a close encounter with some very hard frozen tarmac which means that I will not be doing anything much in the immediate future so I have plenty of time to sort this out before I actually do it, any further comments would be much appreciated.

[INDRANIL]

Ok so you want to connect each computer separately with the router's Ethernet ports yes you can but the only problem is the traffic monitoring. You can connect your printer with the pc or switch (USB to ethernet adapter). You don't need to install driver on the Netbook for printer, when you will share the printer it will automatically install the driver. A switch might solve your problem .

[Pilgrim]

Your replies have been extremely helpful, thank you.

I am in theory on unlimited bandwidth but since my ISP was taken over some time back I have heard stories saying that the new regime have their own ideas about what unlimited means, that was why I started using a monitor.

What concerns me about a switch is cost especially if I would need adapters as well.
(Due to the extreme weather I have frozen assets.)

It's good to know about the drivers, I have not actually needed to use the printer or scanner from the Netbook yet.

One final question if I may, I recently read something that mentioned an ethernet splitter cable, although I am not sure that is what it was actually called, it had a single plug and two sockets.
I was wondering if that would allow me to connect the router and the Netbook to the PC at the same time or would the LAN traffic interfere with the internet traffic?

[INDRANIL]

My pleasure . Yes you should monitor if you have limited plan (limited plan here too). I've no idea but thanks for the information. I think what you told might not work not sure. I think you've to put the main plug into the back of the router & then connect other pc's or netbook with the socket.

[Pilgrim]

Thanks again, you've saved me a lot of time and trouble.

[INDRANIL]

Welcome . Update us after you finish the network setup .

[Pilgrim]

UPDATE:

I made my first attempts at a new network yesterday and finished up back where I started.

I need to find a program that will backup my network settings, I know that they are about so I will search for one unless anybody has a recommendation.

I found an upgrade for my router yesterday which I installed, I also changed the channel on the router after reading a recommendation to move from the default.
I thought at first that the upgrade had failed but after shutting everything down and restarting it was working, with my settings intact.

I tried to connect my Netbook to the router by cable but I could still only connect wirelessly even with the cable in place, I had tried altering the network settings but they kept reverting to my existing settings.
I suspect that I was doing something wrong and will try again.

One of the things that I often do with my present setup is use the LAN without connecting to the internet, if I connect both computers to the router I cannot see how I can do that.
The router needs to be on for the LAN to work, but as soon as I turn it on the internet connection is working as well, unless somebody knows a way round this?

I heard back from Networx support about what I am trying to do and they told me the settings that should work without picking up the LAN or duplicating other traffic.

I'll try again when I have the time.


EDIT:

I forgot to add, I looked up USB to Ethernet adaptors and found several warnings from people who had bought them that they did not work?

[INDRANIL]

I tried to connect my Netbook to the router by cable but I could still only connect wirelessly even with the cable in place, I had tried altering the network settings but they kept reverting to my existing settings.
I suspect that I was doing something wrong and will try again.

Did you put the right IP, Subnet Mask & Default Gateway ??

One of the things that I often do with my present setup is use the LAN without connecting to the internet, if I connect both computers to the router I cannot see how I can do that.
The router needs to be on for the LAN to work, but as soon as I turn it on the internet connection is working as well, unless somebody knows a way round this?

You need a switch to connect them with it then you don't need to turn on the router otherwise you need 2nd lan card on any of the computer via that you can connect the other one. Also in this scenario you don't need to turn on the router unless you need the network connection.

I forgot to add, I looked up USB to Ethernet adapters and found several warnings from people who had bought them that they did not work?

I don't have any idea about that. Sorry I can't help you on that.