Is this network config wierd? Expert opinion please.

[notsobig]

Ok, so I have very minimalistic network consists of 2 computers(lol) running almost side by side(about 1M away from each other). I connect these PCs with 1 cross cable(for faster file sharing) and both PCs have it's own wireless network adapters(802.11G) to communicate with my netgear wirelss router/modem downstairs to get on the net. So my question is, is this the best way to connect my PCs or is there any smarter ways that does the same thing? I'm asking this because 1) I'm a noob 2) very often I can't see another PC from the PC that I'm working on and to fix this I usually have to reboot my PCs several times and I just hate that. I have removed microsoft network file and printer sharing module from my wireless adapter options to avoid network conflict, and I gave fixed network ips to my LAN adapters(169.254.xx.xx) but is my current config logically approved from expert point of view? If you see anything wrong with my setup please tell me what I need to fix. Thanks for reading.

[bsodmike]

Ideally you'd just stick to a wired connection or wireless, or as I have it, I have a single router/modem taking on the role of DHCP/NAPT/DNS and all the wireless points in the house simply act as a wireless extension.

This way, wired or wireless, they all have network and net access. Why is the router downstairs?. What you could do is have a switch upstairs and have an ethernet link with the router downstairs but this would essentially make the wireless redundant.

[Hottentot]

You say that the LAN adapters have a fixed IP but what about the wireless network adapters ?, are they fixed or from the router via DHCP. Might be easier to disable the LANs and just use wireless.

[bsodmike]

Yea, but he wants high(er) speed transfer between the PCs...

[notsobig]

Thanks for your replies, I have my wireless modem/router downstairs because to have it upstairs I need to use long ethernet cable and if I do that 1)my line attenuation rises by 1db resulting in slower connection speed and 2)I live with eldelies so I fear they might get caught by the wire and fell over. So I need to keep things neat and tidy as much as possible.
And yes, sorry forgot to mention but DHCP is turned on at my router so my PCs should get 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3 respectively and they do about 50 percent of the time but one of my PC usually struggles and often get 169.254.xx.xx address for some wierd reason. That PC gets 192.168.0.3 address momentarily whenever other PC is switched off though. Do you think this is adapter problem? It's Edimax EW-7318Ug USB stick adapter and it's once proudly given the title of "rubbish" by AGENT, the moderator

[Hottentot]

If you still want the fast connection between the PCs :-.
Set-up another wireless router/switch next to your PCs but configure it as an access point and connect both PCs to it by cable. You then have the choice of connecting the access point to the modem/router by a long cable or by wireless.
The modem/router would handle all DHCP etc and the access point would just act as a bridge.
I always prefer cable connections as they are far more reliable but its all good fun either way.

[bsodmike]

Hottentot, that's a good idea. I am actually doing something similar, i..e I have :

router/modem > airport express + G5 over ethernet for both. Then i have 2 other wireless 'bridges', another airport express and an airport extreme base station (old). I've been meaning to setup a fast link between the lab PCs, so wiring up a switch to the 'LAN' port on the base station should do the trick rather than having those machines on wifi which can crawl at times...

[notsobig]

If you still want the fast connection between the PCs :-.
Set-up another wireless router/switch next to your PCs but configure it as an access point and connect both PCs to it by cable. You then have the choice of connecting the access point to the modem/router by a long cable or by wireless.
The modem/router would handle all DHCP etc and the access point would just act as a bridge.
I always prefer cable connections as they are far more reliable but its all good fun either way.

Ah I see, that sounds good. Unfortunately I have no extra cash to spend on another router now but will surely consider getting one in the near future, thanks for your suggestion

[bsodmike]

Make sure it's a wireless router with x-port switch...that would work nicely x being the number of ports.

[notsobig]

Ok, thanks Mike