1
I want to set up a home network that involves the following 4 devices:
- An ADSL modem for internet access
- Computer 1 (running windows XP)
- Computer 2 (running windows 7)
- A network Harddisk (NAS)
The ADSL modem only supports a network up to 100 Mbit, but I want the computers and the NAS to communicate via a 1Gbit network. Additionally I do not want the NAS to be able to communicate with the internet (so it should not be visible from the internet and it should not be able to see the ADSL modem.). Neither computer should rely on the other one to be "on", so they should not act as bridges.
What would be the best way to set up this configuration? Do I need to buy a router or switch (or neither or both) to get this working? Are there any special things I need to be aware of?
Background:
in my current situation "Computer 2" does not yet exist. Computer 1 has two network cards, one connected to the modem (network 192.168.0.*
) at 100 Mbits, and another to the NAS (network 192.168.222.*
) at 1 Gbits.
I am about to buy Computer 2, but wonder if having two network cards in it is the best way of getting my intended set-up working. And I wonder if having two computers on the same two networks is going to cause troubles, both electrically (as adding the second computer creates a loop), and as far as routing goes (how do I tell the computers to use the fast network if they want to talk to each other or to the NAS, and the slow network for internet access).
Just purchase a router that has support for 10/100/1000 ports. Once you do that connect all your devices to the router. Setup the router to block incomming traffic outside your network to only go to your Windows 7 computer. Windows XP is not secure and should not be connected to the internet. – Ramhound – 2012-06-28T12:04:04.583
1Windows XP is secure if the appropriate steps are taken. Anti-virus, firewalls etc. – VBwhatnow – 2012-06-28T12:11:16.527