my head hurts to think of this, please help.

[MaMister]

Currently my place has a simple network with 4 pcs and two network printer.

Now we wanted to add in 3 more pcs into the network. that's quite straight forward as I only need to change the 8 ports switch to 16 ports.

we have decided to sign up for boardband and share the internet. it will be easy if the pcs are nearby each other as just a router with modem will do the job.

the problem is the other 3 sets of pc are far apart, abt 70m -100m .

My problem is how to get the 3 pcs into the network and internet sharing?

could this work:

Get a router with modem for the internet sharing and a wireless access point for the other 3 pcs to share the internet.

More advice needed. thanks.

[JonmaTifa]

You could just run wires to the other computers, I don't know if i understand your problem entirely... But you should be able to get cables that can handle that type of distance, but other than that.... you'll want to be looking at this:

http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=508

This will connect your wired network with your wireless (so they'll be one in the same network) and it will also provide internet sharing between all computers and a pretty decent firewall.... it might cost you a bit of a pretty penny to get, but i'd say its worth it... oh an it only happens to have 4 ports, so you should probably use your existing hub with it as well, or there are similar products out there that possibly have more (I don't know about 16?)

[MaMister]

Yes, I would like to go for wireless.

so my plan is 1:

get a router with modem and configure on the existing wired network for internet sharing.
then uplink the current switch to the wireless access point.

plan 2: get a ethernet modem and configure on the existing wired network.
then uplink the current switch to the wireless router plus access point and set internet sharing.

Will that work ?? Which is better ??

[JonmaTifa]

Well, since you want to go wireless, I think the linksys link i sent you is probably the best idea, its an 802.11g spec, that means its backwards compatible with the 802.11b spec (which is most likely what you're going to have in your other computers) and it allows room for upgrades in the future... if you plan on sharing large files or playing LAN games, you will want to have the 802.11g infrastructer in place...

I personally think that having an all in one router/gateway/wireless brideg access point is the best idea (as long as you get a DSL service that supports a LAN type hookup, don't go with MSN or others that are similar) it provides the best bang for the buck... again other companies make these, but linksys is as good as any (better actually) and i'd recommend going with the very product i linked to you before...

here's another link of a visual of what i think you're trying to do:

http://www.linksys.com/products/display.asp?conmap=wrt54g_cm_diagram.jpg&prid=508&scid=35

[Dark_Raver]

wireless is definately a neat solution but if you are financialy concious you might just be able to buy another hub/switch, since you would have to upgrade it anyways, and hook those two up. now you said the other 3 would be farther away from the rest, well set this hub up closer to them. an ethernet cable is good up to a 100m ( i think ).
wireless might be nicer but more expensive.

just an alternative

[Midknyte]

is there a clear line of sight between both locations? if not, then wireless probably wouldn't work due to the interference. your best bet for wireless would be to get 2 access points and bridge them, rather than have each client with their own wireless card.

your speed is gonna suck on the wireless, so it might be worth your while to run a cable between the sites.