BL> Let me get this straight, and make sure I'm not totally befuddled.
 BL> If I'm going to have 5 seperate computers (all PC) in various
 BL> parts of the house; no more than a MAX of 100' apart, with a total
 BL> network distance of less than 500', then 10base-2 (BNC) should be
 BL> more than sufficient, and as I understand it - all I will need will
 BL> be a network card for each computer (maybe a parallelBNC unit for
 BL> the laptop), a BNC "T" connector for the back of each card, and a
 BL> 50 ohm terminator for each end of the run (2 terminators), and of
 BL> course the cable to connect the cards :)
 BL> (sounds a bit like a SCSI chain :)
 BL> And since I didn't see ANY 10base-2 "HUBS" advertised in the cats
 BL> I have, am I correct that I will NOT need a 'hub', but will simply
 BL> connect each computer to the next (in parallel) with the RG-Cable ?
 BL> (if there IS a long run later, I presume that a repeater can be used)
Correct so far.
 BL> Also from what I've understood, all I need to do (basically) is
 BL> to assign one computer as "server" and the rest as clients, each
 BL> with a different 'user/host' name, correct ?
Depends on the NOS (network operating system).
 BL> =======
 BL> On the OTHER hand, if I were to use 10base-T (RJ45) then I would be
 BL> limited to only *2* machines, due to the fact that the RJ45 can not
 BL> be connected in parallel (like the 2 conductor RG58), and for more
 BL> that *2* machines - I would HAVE to run each one to a "HUB" (like the
 BL> spokes on a wheel) which handles the addressing and routing from/to
 BL> each machine (user).
Correct.
 BL> =======
 BL> Does that just about sum it up correctly ???
Yup.
 BL> And finally, is there going to be a device to allow me to attach my
 BL> centronics inkjet printer to this LAN with a unique username/number ?
 BL> Or should I just attach it to the main server parallel port and
 BL> send everything I want printed to the LPT1 port of that machine ??
You can do either, although more print servers use 10base-T than
10base-2.
If you can handle the extra couple $$, I would strongly suggest 10base-T
as the way to go.  Much more reliable!  I have run it in my home for
about 5 years now with no trouble, and I have supported 10base-2 in a
previous job...not much fun for me, nor the users...
Gerry Danen (gdanen@accessweb.com) C+Net BBS @ 403-477-9545
            http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Way/9823
2 years, 79 days, 12 hours, 40 minutes, and 21 seconds until January 1, 2000.
--- Maximus 3.01
 # Origin: C+Net BBS. Programming & Networking. (111:1403/2)
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