On Thu, 27 May 2004 22:10:36 GMT, sgschool DeleteThis @pacbell.net (Steve Schooler) wrote:
>I plan to build a new PC and network it to my old PC. Spec's:
>
>New PC: Asus P4C800-E Deluxe Motherboard
> (Pentium 4, Socket 478, 875P, ATX, 4GB DDR, 800MHz FSB)
> (Onboard) LAN Intel CSA 82547EI Gigabit Ethernet Controller
> Ethernet - RJ45 Twisted-Pair (XBaseT) interface
> 1 x RJ45 Back Panel I/O Port
> Windows XP Pro
>
>Old PC: Pentium 166, about 7 years old
> Windows 95 OSR2-B
>
>Internet access: Currently dial-up, but I am about to switch to DSL. Cable
> internet access is not available to me.
>
>Needs:
>1. Share files, printer, network connection, internet access, and (optionally)
> scanner.
>2. Set up network client server applications in Java 2 Enterprise Edition
> (J2EE) with new pc functioning as server and old pc functioning as client.
>3. Similarly, want to have new PC function as website host and run J2EE
> website/client applications (assume DSL access).
>
>Questions:
>
>1. Some network interface cards (NIC) are described as 10/100. What does this
> mean?
It means the card can auto-negotiate with the device at the other end of the
network cable to use either "10mbit/sec" or "100mbit/sec" signaling.
>2. If I use a 10/100 NIC in the old pc will this be compatible with the new
> pc's onboard Gigabit Ethernet? Will the network speed be constrained by
> the 10/100 NIC?
Even if you used a buffered 10/100/1000 switch that allowed your new system to
link at a gigabit while the old system was connected at 10mbit or 100mbit
speeds, actual transfers will be throttled by the slowest entity in the path.
>3. Will the old pc's hardware accept a Gigabit NIC? If so, will it provide
> 1 Gbps?
It's unlikely that you'll find a gigabit PCI adapter that'll even work on such
an old system (its PCI bus is unlikely to support modern, rev 2.2 devices) but
even if you could find one, plugged into a 32bit/33mhz connector and with the
drivers executing on the fossil of a processor, no way could that ever
generate an uncooked gigabit of bandwidth...
>I'm considering either a peer to peer connection (crossover cable only) or a
>router (each pc connects via Ethernet cable).
Buy a router. End of story.
>4. For a peer to peer connection (new PC functioning as edge machine):
> a. Will it satisfy my needs (listed above)?
> b. Is it feasible using a 10/100 NIC?
> c. Is it feasible using a Gigabit NIC?
> d. Is it less secure (viruses, spyware, ...) than using a router?
Buy a router. End of story.
>5. For a router based network:
> a. Will the old hardware support using a router and a 10/100 NIC?
> b. Will the old hardware support using a router and a Gigabit NIC?
a. Yes (and we had 10/100 nics back then
b. Same question as 3. Same answer: not likely.
>6. If I go with a router, rather than peer to peer, is there any reason
> (besides cost) not to go with a residential gateway router?
Name brand routers - some with integrated wireless - are going for $50.
>7. What is the approximate cost of:
> a. New 10/100 NIC for old PC?
$5+
> b. New gigabit NIC for old PC?
Unobtainium
> c. 3 to 6 foot crossover cable?
$10
> d. New router?
$50
> e. New residential gateway router?
$50+
> f. 3 to 6 foot Ethernet cable?
$10 (which you may not even need)
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.practicallynetworked.com" target="_blank">www.practicallynetworked.com</a> was written for you...
/daytripper
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