[Ovidal]

I have an internal ATT Novatel Mobile Broadband Card that connects internally to the internet. Can I connect two computers using a router? What router should I use? I also want to use a print server. I do not have an external DSL modem.


The wireless connection says Dell 5520 Cingular Mobile Broadband (3G HSDPA)

[DaveWillDoIT]

Originally Posted by Ovidal

I have an internal ATT Novatel Mobile Broadband Card that connects internally to the internet. Can I connect two computers using a router? What router should I use? I also want to use a print server. I do not have an external DSL modem. HSDPA)

Need a bit more information.
What kind of computers are they?
Operating systems?

First computer
Does it have a NIC (Network Interface Card) built in?
Does it have an RJ-45 socket (looks like a larger phone socket) for connecting to an exterior LAN?

Second computer
Does it have a NIC card?
Does it have an RJ-45 socket?

Dave

[Ovidal]

1st Computer Laptop
Dell Inspiron 1721
Sorry, I don't know how to check for a network interface card. Please explain where to look. Could it be a Dell Broadcom 440X10/100 Integrated Controller?
It does have the port that looks llike a phone jack but bigger.
Using Window Vista Home Premium

2nd Computer Desktop
Not sure about NIC card
Yes it has the jack
Dell Dimension 2400
Windows XP

Any help is very appreciated.

[JohnWill]

You can use a 3g router to distribute the Internet access with that card. http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=524

[Ovidal]

Thanks for your help.

[Ovidal]

OK I just looked at the specifications for the router you suggested and I don't think I can use that either. My card is internal. It was built in the coputer. So I am stuck again.

[TerryNet]

Sorry, I don't know how to check for a network interface card. Please explain where to look.

Look in Device Manager under Network Adapters. However, if there is no driver it may be an "unknown device" with a warning or error.

Could it be a Dell Broadcom 440X10/100 Integrated Controller?

Yes.

[Ovidal]

OK so what next. Do you know of a router that will work with my specs? Rmember that my internet card is internal.

[JohnWill]

If the card is internal, you're stuck with using ICS to connect to other machines. If you want wireless connections using that router configure ICS first.

Take a look at this Microsoft ICS (Internet Connection Sharing tutorial.


Then to use the router, the easiest way to insure no compatibility issues is to configure it as follows.

Connecting two (or more) SOHO broadband routers together.

Note: The "primary" router can be an actual router, a software gateway like Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing, or a server connection that has the capability to supply more than one IP address using DHCP server capability. No changes are made to the primary "router" configuration.

Configure the IP address of the secondary router(s) to be in the same subnet as the primary router, but out of the range of the DHCP server in the primary router. For instance DHCP server addresses 192.168.0.2 through 192.168.0.100, I'd assign the secondary router 192.168.0.254 as it's IP address, 192.168.0.253 for another router, etc.

Note: Do this first, as you will have to reboot the computer to connect to the router again for the remaining changes.

Disable the DHCP server in the secondary router.

Setup the wireless section just the way you would if it was the primary router, channels, encryption, etc.

Connect from the primary router's LAN port to one of the LAN ports on the secondary router. If there is no uplink port and neither of the routers have auto-sensing ports, use a cross-over cable. Leave the WAN port unconnected!

This procedure bypasses the routing function (NAT layer) and configures the router as a switch (or wireless access point for wireless routers).