Advice on setting up a wireless home network appreciated

[Hulk]

My wife and I have had enough of sharing our dial-up line and are moving to ADSL service. I'm going to set up a home network with my desktop and both of our laptops.

I was planning on getting the Linksys WRT54g router and WPC54G PCMCIA cards.

I don't know a lot about networks, but it seems from what I've read that the "g" spec is the one to go with, and I believe these components will allow me to use the better WPA encryption.

Right now I can get the PCMCIA cards for $60 and the router for $80 after rebates.

I'm ready to do this and just want to run it by "those in the know" in case there's a better option.

Thanks for any advice.

Mark

 

[RagingBITCH]

Yes, the "G" provides better security with WPA, and is faster. (max of 54mbps) If you don't transfer files a lot though the extra cost might not be worth it over the "B". I see no problem with the hardware you chose.

 

[JackMDS]

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 D-Link 624 SuperG and the Netgear WGT624 SuperG seem to out perform the rest of the bunch.

In order to achieve such a performance you should get the matching SuperG cards of the same brand.

The following collection of links might help.

Link: Wireless Security for the Home User.

Link: Wireless Network Troubleshooting,

Wireless basic Configuration:

Install the drivers on the Client Computer (follow the Wireless card instructions).

After installation check in the OSs? Device manager to make sure that every thing is OK, and there is no conflicts or and ?Ghost? Installations (The big Yellow exclamation mark is BAD).

MS Zero Configuration was not devised for Entry Level consumers Hardware, it is better to be set Off.

Put the computer with the Wireless Client close to the Wireless Router.

Disable all software Firewalls (including Windows ICF).

Make sure that the drivers are set to infrastructure mode and obtain IP auto.

Make sure that the Router does not have any MAC or IP filtering on.

Router's DHCP On. (Static IP will work too if set correctly.)

Disable WEP on both devices.

Set the SSID and channel of the Router and the Client card to be is same name.

When you achieve Stable Wireless Connection you can set Filters Firewall etc.

When every thing is set move the Wireless Client to it intended location.

If it becomes Unstable or you lose connection than you have a distance problem.

In such a case this might help.

Link to: Extending the Distance of Entry Level Wireless Network.

 

[Hulk]

Wow! Thanks for all of the great info.

Really appreciate it.

Mark