Advice on new wireless network?

[algae]

Hi all,
Soon I am building a new pc which will give me three pcs in my house....the one I'm using now, my notebook, and the new one I am going to build. I have a cable modem and currently my desktop and notebook are connected through a Dlink wired router.
I think I will start to build a wireless network at least for my two current pcs prior to building my new one. I've done a little reading at www.practicallynetworked.com but I'm wondering what hardware you guys would recommend in the way of hardware, etc.?
Tia for any info.
Gary

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I'd recommend if you can wire it, do so. Wireless will never be as simple or as reliable as a wired connection to the router. It's neat and all, but it's more expensive and less reliable.

 

[scorpioLP]

I would say go wireless. It's not that hard if you understand networking to begin with. So if you setup your current router, it's not that difficult to set up a wireless one.

As for reliability, I haven't had any problems with my wireless network in over a year. Security is another issue, but you can get pretty secure with MAC filtering, WEP, etc. It's not the best, but it's decent.

Wireless is more expensive than a wired network, but what do you expect ?? You are going to the next generation in technology.

I personally use one of those Linksys router / switch / AP combo things. The router menu is easy to follow and setup.

 

[JackMDS]

It is Not Wired vs. Wireless.

Where ever it is possible to install Wires (especially for Desktop, and Computers that will be heavy on LAN) install Wires. For Laptops and Internet Wireless will do.

While Wiring is a special project, wireless can be always added.

On Wireless:

802.11b vs. 802.11g.

For Internet surfing it does mot matter since Internet broadband connection is slower than 802.11b

For traffic across Internal LAN, 802.11g is significantly faster.

General Wireless info.

802.11b = 11Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)
802.11g = 54Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)

Wireless Ethernet needs additional protocol over head for the transfer. In addition, it is not as stable as Wired so it needs extra processing procedures.

As a result the 11Mb/sec. of the Network chipset is translated to a much lower actual performance. Usually 4-6Mb/sec.

Few 802.11b hardware units are also capable to work at 22Mb/sec.(usually referred to as b+) it is nice if it works, in real term will yield 20%-40% more than 11Mb/sec. systems.

The 802.11g line that is rated 54Mb/sec. in the real world it yields 18-22Mb/sec.

The differences between the first set of graphs to the second represent the performance differences between 802.11b to 802.11g. It might give you a good idea about indoor's distance coverage. Your actual distance might be different. Indoor coverage depends heavily on the envioroment; graphs like this should be used to understand the relation in performance between Wireless hardware. .

Link: 802.11a/b/g SOHO Routers & Access Points: Performance

The following collection of links might help.

Ignore the prices in the links bellow. The same or similar hardware can be found for 60%-90% less.

Link: AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

Link: Wireless Cable/DSL Router or Access Point - What should I get?

Link: Wireless Network - Configuration Modes.

Link: Wireless Security for the Home User.

Link: Wireless Network Troubleshooting,

Link: How do I use a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point?

What should I get.

Networking in General is no CPU OverClocking or "squeezing" few frames from a "puny" Video card, it is more complicated.

The number of variables that goes into the equation of each situation is so variant that it is impossible to give one rule of thumb.

If the Wireless Computer is going to be used in the vicinity of the Wireless Gateway, and you are going for 802.11b buy the cheapest you can find. You can get a Wireless Cable/DSL Router for about $29.99 + PCMCIA card for $19.99 (both after rebate).

To achieve the top of Entry Level Wireless performance (Sep. 2003).
I would use a cheap Wired Router, and combine it with a 802.11g set of Access Point and Client Cards by either D-Link or Linksys.

 

[egale]

For me, if I could do it all over, I would do wired instead of wireless. I wanted to avoid drilling a hold in the wall so it cost me hundreds more for a setup that is not as reliable or compact. I have a Netgear 802.11g router and aircard for my pc. With the original setup, the router was about 23 feet away from the pc with the aircard with a wall separating the two. This way the signal was so weak that the connection was unusable. I finally had to move the router to where the separating wall is and mount it on the wall. It cost me 2 25 foot rj45 cables to do that. The signal improved a bit when I did that. Also I found, changing channels helped to.

If I would have bought one long cable to begin with and a cheaper wired router, I would have saved a ton of money.

 

[peterskm]

I have a Netgear wireless G setup and I love it. I had problems configuring a Linksys wireless B setup so I returned it and got the Netgear. Works like a charm.

 

[xenos500]

im not all that impressed with my linksys wireless equipment, looking back I wish I bought SMC stuff. Dont just buy linksys because it looks the best Oh, maybe thats what I did.

 

[JackMDS]

It is fascinating to watch the "Name calling Phenomenon".

Linksys ?Bad?, SMC ?Good?, Netgear ?I do not know? etc.

Just like it is ?Silly? to say ?Ford? is Good, ?GMC? is bad.

There are ?good? Ford models, and ?Bad? ones. etc.

SMC 801.11b was Good stuff. SMC 802.11g I can live without.

Linksys 802.11b WAP11 is very good. The rest of Linksys 802.11b I will not take for ?free?.

At the moment the 802.11g sets of Linksys and D-link seems to perform better than the others.