Combining a wired network with an ad-hoc network

Question

I have two Windows Vista computers (A & B) with an ad-hoc network connecting them. Can I somehow then connect computer C with A through a switch/router and have all three computers on "one" network?

Answer 1

Yes, you just have to bridge the connections for wireless A->B and wired A>C. I assume machine A has wired and wireless network connections. This is very simple to do in windows. You can just select the two network interfaces and "bridge" the connections.

Answer 2

Sure. Just connect each of them to a switch with normal patch cables (as opposed to the cross over cable you might currently be using). You will have to assign static IPs (which I assume you are doing already) and keep them all on the same subnet and in the same workgroup. But, other than that, it should be fine.

Answer 3

A home router can connect multiple computers onto one network and also the Internet. routers can also setup the IPs for you.

Buy one.

Answer 4

The best way is to use a Network Switch on A, B, & C(for wired connection) and assign an IP for each.

A: IP=10.0.0.101 SUBNET = 255.0.0.0 GATEWAY: 10.0.0.1
B: IP=10.0.0.102 SUBNET = 255.0.0.0 GATEWAY: 10.0.0.1
C: IP=10.0.0.103 SUBNET = 255.0.0.0 GATEWAY: 10.0.0.1

or

A: IP=192.168.0.101 SUBNET = 255.0.0.0 GATEWAY: 192.168.0.1
B: IP=192.168.0.102 SUBNET = 255.0.0.0 GATEWAY: 192.168.0.1
C: IP=192.168.0.103 SUBNET = 255.0.0.0 GATEWAY: 192.168.0.1

Just leave the DNS blank.

But if you want it to be Wireless. just use a Wireless Router. no need to assign an IP. It will automatically an IP for Computer A, B, & C.