PCMCIA slot

[catgate]

I am plaguing myself with the thought of linking my two computers with a wireless network set up, and have one or two questions, that I was hoping some erudite members may be able answer, please.

My main computer's mother boad is a Soltek, about three years old, and the manual does not mention PCMCIA slots (although it does have 5 PCI slots). What it does mention is what it calls a CNR slot. Am I correct in assuming this is a PCMCIA slot for a 802.11g (or similar) card under a different name?

I presume I would need a card for each computer?

Would I need a free standing "thing" with an aerial upon it (one of those "things" referred to by the catch-all title of "adapter".) or would they communicate without one?

What is a dongle?

Currently I have W98SE on my main machine and Ubuntu on the other one. Would these two systems be happy living on the same portioin of ether and would they allow cross transference of files?

Is there anything else I should know?

Is there any more tea in that pot?

Just pass me an Anadin, please.

[-pops-]

PCMCIA slots are almost exclusively used on laptop machines. I have never seen one on a desktop computer.

CNR slots are used for the traditional type dial-up modems. They only have a few connectors and usually sit at the top of the array of PCI slots (if there's one installed at all).

A dongle is a daft name for any old item that nobody could be bothered to think of a sensible name for.

There are some people that come here who know a lot about wireless setups. I have one and I've set a few up but I would hesitate to pronounce on them.

[Belatucadrus]

You can get PCMCIA adapters for desktops, but they're as rare as hens teeth, expensive and you need a spare front bay to fit them.

[catgate]

So would the answer be as simple as a couple of PCI cards such as :-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/802-11g-PCI-CARD-WIR...1QQcmdZViewItem

This seems to be a solution that is much too simple.

[-pops-]

I'd wait a little while for one of the wireless experts to come on.

[mark2]

Wireless can be problematical with Linux, However most wireless access points I've come across need a wired connection initially to set them up.

You'd probably need a wireless access point/router, and a wireless card for each PC not hard wired to the network.

With the above scenario I'd use the ubuntu purely hard wired via NIC to the AP/router, but the s/ware/wizard will probably be for Windoze

To share files across the network you'd also need to set up Samba

[Belatucadrus]

For those interested in PCMCIA adapter.

[catgate]

Thanks for that, Belatucadrus, though I do not have towers with front access I have filed the reference, just in case.

Also thanks Mark2 for your comments. Do I take it from your input that I would need just an access point wired into one machine, and a PCI wireless card for the other? When you say wireless access point/router am I correct in assuming you mean a device refered to as either an access point or a router? Will the Network Interface Card, of which you speak, come with the AP or will it be a separate item? And finally, will I get it all sorted out before I get a blinding headache?

[mark2]

Will the Network Interface Card, of which you speak, come with the AP

Many recent mobos have on board NIC as standard.

The next bit depends on your current modem set up.

If a Cable modem is in use it is simpler (and the only thing I have any experience with)

Originally 1 pc to cable modem connectec via NIC & cable. (typical Telewest set up)

PC >network cable> Cable Modem > Internet.

In my case it became

PC 1 > Network cable > wireless router>network cable>cable modem

----------------------------------------|

--------------------------------Wireless link

----------------------------------------|

--------------------------------------PC 2

It may differ on NTL cable connections, I believe they preferred the USB to Cable modem set up, however they can easily be converted to that above.

ADSL, BT etc will need a different set up. Maybe someone else will assist here.

And finally, will I get it all sorted out before I get a blinding headache?

Unlikely :biggrin:

A bit more light reading microsoft