Anybody know about wireless networks at home?

[gn85]

As the topic says, I'm thinking of doing a network. I only have two computers, but would sure like to have my laptop on wireless so it can be used anywhere in our apartment.

I will admit I know nothing about networks, nor wireless. Can anybody give me a basic rundown of what I'm looking to buy, things I should avoid and a basic explaination. Thanks

[SuperSix]

As the topic says, I'm thinking of doing a network. I only have two computers, but would sure like to have my laptop on wireless so it can be used anywhere in our apartment.

I will admit I know nothing about networks, nor wireless. Can anybody give me a basic rundown of what I'm looking to buy, things I should avoid and a basic explaination. Thanks

Do you have broadband? Or modem dialup?

[gn85]

Do you have broadband? Or modem dialup?

DSL. You must have been waiting for this question. Thanks M.

[SuperSix]

DSL. You must have been waiting for this question. Thanks M.

Does your DSL adapter hook to your PC via USB or Ethernet?

You will need an access point/router, a PCCard (PCMCIA) network adapter for the laptop and either a USB or PCI wireless adapter for the desktop.

There's three protocols out.. 802.11b (11Mbs, 2.4GHz), 802.11a (54Mbs, 5GHz), and 802.11g(54Mbs, 5GHz). (in order of speed).

802.11b is the cheapest, averages a peak of 10Mbs, more than fast enough for file and Internet sharing. 802.11a is a bit harder to find, and 802.11g is the fastest.

Although these protocols are IEEE standards, not all manufacturer's products play well with other manufacturer's components. I like Netgear, SMC, Dlink, etc..

Go 802.11g if there's some screaming sales, but I doubt you would see a difference.

Make sure you set up your network security, enable 128bit (or 256 if the components support it) WEP encryption, change your SSID, and the default router password.

More security info here: (http://www.intranetjournal.com/articles/200307/ij_07_10_03a.html)

[gn85]

Does your DSL adapter hook to your PC via USB or Ethernet?

URL]

My DSL comes thru an external modem then into my computer via ethernet card. The Modem and desktop computer are right next to each other. Can I keep a hard wire going from a network device into the desktop and buy the card for the laptop?

Who do you recommend? What prices am I looking at here? This is for general home use... nothing super fancy. Thanks M.

[SuperSix]

My DSL comes thru an external modem then into my computer via Ethernet card. The Modem and desktop computer are right next to each other. Can I keep a hard wire going from a network device into the desktop and buy the card for the laptop?

Who do you recommend? What prices am I looking at here? This is for general home use... nothing super fancy. Thanks M.

If you want to share the Internet connection, it would be best to go through a router. Otherwise it gets a bit confusing.

Either way - if you want wireless for the laptop, you have to have either an access point (wireless hub), or a wireless access points WITH a built-in Cable/DSL router. They are about the same price. If the DSL modem's close to the PC, you can skip getting a wireless adapter for the desktop, and hard-wire it to the Access point/router, while using a wireless adapter in the laptop so you can post here while on the shitter. :D

Check THIS (http://www.linksys.com/Products/images/wrt54g_cm_diagram.jpg) diagram out..

[gn85]

Sounds good Mark. Now, let's say I want my laptop to be able to print. How would that be possible. Right now my printer is on my desktop with a USB.

Sorry for the million questions. But I know you know you're stuff...

What ballpark prices should I be expecting?? Just so I don't get ripped off. Thanks.

[SuperSix]

Sounds good Mark. Now, let's say I want my laptop to be able to print. How would that be possible. Right now my printer is on my desktop with a USB.

Sorry for the million questions. But I know you know you're stuff...

What ballpark prices should I be expecting?? Just so I don't get ripped off. Thanks.

You would set up your printer as a SHared printer, then you could print to it from your laptop.

Prices? Are you back in the US?

[gn85]

No, not back in the US. But if I can get it cheaper there, I'll send for it. NP.

[Benched]

I have a D-Link 614+ wireless broadband router (2.4 GHz) that is hardwired to a desktop running Windows XP. I also have a D-Link DWL-650+ PC card wireless
adapter that goes into a laptop running Win98.

I got them both in a kit from CostCo for just about $80 after a rebate that was applied for online.

The network fired up just as the quick install guide said it should.

[gn85]

OK, I have another question.

I'm used to the PCMIA cards as that's what I use on my laptop now to plug into the net (ethernet card). However, I see there are USB and cards now. Which is better? What are the advantages, disadvantages? What does everyone prefer?

Thanks again. I will soon have WLAN.

[JayC]

PCMCIA cards are better because USB on laptops that dont have USB 2.0 have slower throughput.

I'd personally use the Linksys stuff, in particular the WRT54G router. There is a hacked firmware for the Linksys router that really adds a ton a features. I was using a linux PC as my NAT/Router box but I junked it in favor of the Linksys router and dont regret it one bit.

[Turbo Brian]

it depends on what kind of card you're using and your USB ports. USB1.1 is 12Mbits and USB2.0 is 480Mbits (or maybe thats firewire... regardless, its within about 10 of 480).

wireless b is 10Mbits max
wireless g is 54Mbits max
wired 10base-t is 10Mbits
wired 100base-t is 100Mbits
wired 1000base-t is 1000Mbits or 1Gbit

pcmcia is connected through the pci bus if im not mistaken so it has a much higher data rate that no network traffic from the above examples would oversaturate. so the limitation for speed lies in the USB port for a USB device.

keep in mind that internet traffic is slow. if you're using cable or dsl, you will never get more than 10Mbits. typical cable is 1-2Mbit and dsl is 768k or so. if net surfing is all you plan to do, it doesnt matter what you get for a network card (usb/pcmcia, wireless/wired). if you plan on doing lots for file transfers, a USB2.0 or pcmcia wired card would be best.

one advantage of the USB card is it could also be used on a desktop computer. the majority of desktop computers dont have a pcmcia interface.

and for the nitpickers, i know some b and g products have "turbo" modes that transfer data even higher. but im keeping it simple.