Too Many Users, One Printer
Written: Jan 27 '00
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Pros: Peripheral Sharing, Multi-Player Games
Cons: None
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| Joe_R's Full Review: NetGear SB104 Network Starter Kit Networking Hub |
I picked up the Netgear SB104 network kit when I saw an add for it at one of our local office supply stores, the price was too good to pass up. I'd been considering networking my computer with my son's for a while and this provided the opportunity. The basic reason for wanting a network is that my computer had the only printer, so whenever my son needed to do his homework, he'd get on my system because he couldn't print from his. Now the problem is solved. As a matter of fact, he's printing something out as I write this.
The SB104 comes with two Ethernet cards (10-100Mbit), a 4 port hub (10Mbit), two 25 foot Ethernet cables, and software. Everything you need to connect two computers together. And, since the hub has two available ports left, you can add two more systems later.
Installation was fairly easy. My son's computer is about 40 feet from mine, so I picked up a straight-thru Ethernet connector and a 6 foot Ethernet patch cord. I connected the two 25 foot cables together with the straight-thru, and ran the cables under the floor, or up in the basement ceiling (however you want to look at it). The 6 foot patch coor went from the hub to my system.
Next I loaded the software on both computers. I'd like to say that we were instantly talking, but that wasn't the case. There was a bit of head scratching involved in getting both systems to recognize each other. I had to play around with the network properties. I had originally installed TCP/IP thinking I would need it. That was my mistake. When I removed TCP/IP, the computers started communicating.
The only quirky thing that we have now is that when my son wants to print on my system, he has to turn mine on first, then he has to log back into his so that it sees my computer and printer. I'm not sure why that happens, but it's a fairly simple procedure.
Another benefit of this network is that it does a great job on multi-player games! It's much better than playing over a serial cable.
The Netgear kit has been trouble free for over a year now. You really can't beat it for the price. All that's needed to upgrade this to a 100Mbit system is to change the hub to a faster one. 10Mbit is fine for me now.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 49.99 after rebate
Driver Availability: Windows & Linux
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Epinions.com ID:
Joe_R
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Location: Rochester, NY
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 4 members
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