How To Network Laptops On A Home Wireless Network

Many households today use a home wireless network to wirelessly connect multiple computers and game stations to the Internet.

However, what if you want to share files between computers - using one as a file server, to maintain versions. Or maybe you want to just chat or play game wirelessly.

There are two ways to wirelessly connect two laptops together:

1. Set up an adhoc wireless network - direct between the two devices
2. Connect each laptop wirelessly to a DSL Router / Wireless Access Point [WAP] device

Of the two, connecting through a WAP is the preferred method in both terms of speed and security control.

Networking Two Laptops

Most modern laptops have Wi-fi or wireless connection. To connect them using a peer-to-peer connection:

Sketch a diagram of you home network, noting all the devices [computers, laptops, printers, game stations] you wish to network.

Create a table of the hardware [modems, wireless cards, network adapters], and the versions installed on each computer.

Select one computer or WAP device to act as the gateway - this will be your Internet Connection Sharing [ICS] host computer. If this is a computer, it should be running XPSP2 or Vista

Turn on all devices

Assign an IP address for each laptop to create an access point. Here's how you create an IP for your laptop:

Open Control Panel > Wireless Network Connection > Properties OR Run Wireless Network Set Up Wizard > Double-click "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)"

Set IP for both of your laptops. The IP address can be random. However, you should have the same "Subnet mask". For example:

Computer 1:

• IP: 10.0.0.12
• Subnet mask: 522.522.522.0

Computer 2:

• IP: 10.0.0.13
• Subnet mask: 522.522.522.0

Leave other information blank.

With each computer now having their own IP they can be connected to each other.

1. "Wireless Network Connection" > "Change the order of preferred networks" > Add a new network > Name your network > Create a password at "Network key".
2. Ensure to designate "This is a computer to computer".
3. Go to Systray > "View wireless network" > Click "Connect".
4. One of your computers will broadcast signal for other computer to connect. When the computer receives the signal, search for the network you created and click "Connect".
5. Turn on File and Pinter Sharing on each computer
6. Copy or move folders and files into the Shared Folders.

I find the best way to share files, without having to have everything in shared or public folders is to use Net Meetings. This is available on both Windows XP and Vista

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