College Dorm Question

So i'm moving into my dorm in less than a month. I havent personally gotten to see like an example of one, my mom did but she wasn't on the lookout for like ethernet jacks etc. I'm pretty sure the campus is NOT WiFI all over yet.

I'm bringing both my desktop and my lappy down with me. most likely I think it will only have 1 ethernet jack. What should I do if I want to utilize both computers without having to switch the ethernet cable everytime?

Can I run a router on that or would the college setup like block or disable that? And if I were to do this I might as well get a wireless one for my lappy, right?

 

I think what you want is a Wireless Access Point or Switch, which most routers can act as, but I am not sure.

 

The only option I can think of is to use your desktop computer as a "router".

How?

If you have 2 network cards in your desktop (if you only have one card, you can buy another card, they are quite cheap, also quick and easy to install), connect a cable from the wall ethernet to your desktop, then connect a cable from your desktop to your laptop. If you are running Windows XP the set up wizard is very easy. You will need 2 cables to connect everything up, obviously.

 

At my university in Ontario, the rooms with multiple occupants are supplied with a router, as each room only has one network jack regardless of whether it is a single room, double room, etc. Hence, I think a router would work.

However, in my school, they try to stop people from setting up individual wireless access points not run by the school. So you may run into problems with a wireless router, but just cable connections should be fine.

 

go to newegg and get a 4 port switch or hub...If your only using 2 pc's then a hub will be fine...but if you plan onsharing with your roomate then get a switch

 

Thats what im slightly worried about. And just to let you know im in an apartment style dorm which means i have my own bedroom, and a shared bathroom. 3 other roommates.

I've looked at the What Wireless Router guide that is very helpful and have basically set my eyes on Linksys WRT54GC, Linksys WRT54GS, or Linksys WTR54GS.

Limitation: college student; little-no money.

 

If you have to; you might want to check the University website about there wifi capabilties and also ethernet cables. (Usually they have a ethernet cable for high speed access). If your notebook has a built in card; then you need a router and create the access point.

 

i know the school has ethernet but the website doesnt say anything about WiFi..
My lappy has a built in wireless card and an ethernet port.

 

You need a router weather it is wireless or not. If you need a hub/switch just disable DHCP and that's what you have.

Wireless in close quarters are a mess. Everyone clashing with each other. Just will have to setup WPA to connect to yours and not somebody elses.

 

Personally, at my college, the students use hubs and for some reason routers are banned in dorms.

 

use a swith you can get them off of newegg.com for really cheap and would do everything you need.

 

yea... i figured i'd need a router or a hub. I think I'll wait til I'm actually there and figure out what I can and cannot do. I have emailed housing and they have not responded.

 

i went to boarding school and im also off to college
i used a router for the past four years at school with no problems, its just splitting the signal for me at least

 

Whatever the school's technical rules are as long as you don't call them and ask them to support whatever you set up and your school is fairly good-sized you shouldn't have a problem, college tech support teams have bigger problems to deal with than a rogue router/hub setup. Anyway, my school sold cheap 4 port hubs to students who wanted them, so you might want to see if they have something available to you.

 

thats not a bad idea.

 

My school has a similar policy regarding wireless routers, but as long as you secure the connection, it should be fine. I think you can prevent the broadcast of the router (SSID) as well by configuring it. Just don't leave it exposed

And if you are buying the Linksys router, please get the WRT54GL - the Linux firmware is worth the few dollar more.

 

If i got a wireless one I would deffinately secure it. besides, people trying to use it would get pretty annoyed when they couldn't do **** cause i was playing bf2.

 

I would recommend asking on the networking forums on www.dslreports.com before purchasing. Linksys used to be top-notch, but they have had some real dogs lately. They all seem to be WRT54-something (the good and the bad models), so I don't want to post bad info and steer you wrong.

 

thanks mate

 

Even if you aren't allowed to have WAP's in your dorm, do like I do. Use a WAP and disable SSID broadcast so no one else can see it, and so it doesn't interfere w/ others' WiFi. Also if possible try and decrease antennae strength to prevent any other interference in the housing facility, because you will only need to cover about 100sq.ft. of space anyway. And don't forget to also secure it while you're at it. This will ensure that not only isn't the AP easily visible, but it also will very unlikely interfere with any other wifi equipment in the campus.

 

so by disabling the SSID Broadcast and securing it, i can connect but no one else can search for it and see that there's a linksys or some wireless thing there, secure or unsecured.

 

You dont need a router as pluggin in gives you an ip as well as a gateway. thats why a router isnt good for you, and why a hub, switch or wap would be perfect. If you go wifi in a cluster look for a channel nobody is on and youll be fine with it, Id recomend wpa over wep for encryption ...especially on a college campus.

 

well...your room is pretty small i assume, so get an ethernet switch....google it.