Desktop on a Wireless Network: USB or PCI?

[TheBoyBlunder]

I have two desktops I want to get on my network wirelessly. Would I be better off buying a pci wireless card, or a usb wireless card? And do they (anyone) make usb 2.0 wireless cards?

Right now I'm using a D-Link DI-614+, two DWL-520+ (pci wireless) cards, and two desktops. One connects at about 65% signal strength, the other one connects at about 45% signal strength. Would I notice a difference if I went to two USB wireless cards? Everything in question is 802.11b.

Further, if I upgraded to a D-Link DI-624 and two DWL-G520 pci wireless cards, which are all 802.11g, would that make a difference?

 

[mboy]

USB as you can move them a bit. Cant moce a PCI card too far

 

[Angrymarshmello]

iirc isn't 802.11g the 54mbps as opposed to the 11mbps of 802.11b? In terms of internet speed, no. If you're transferring files on your network, yes.

How far away are your desktops from your router? And are your PCs in an enclosed compartment/space, or are they on top of a desk? If they're in an enclosed space, a USB adapter would probably improve signal and link strength. If the PC is on the desk it probably wouldn't improve it by much. Honestly, if you don't get frequent disconnections with your PCI card and you transfer files at about the maximum rate anyway, there isn't much advantage to going USB over PCI.

AFAIK, no one yet makes a USB 2.0 wireless card (Linksys, DLink, Netgear). Since most products are still 802.11b, there'd be no advantage to having it USB2 capable. Once you get into 802.11g, I believe you'll need USB2 in order to transfer at the theoretical maximum of 54mbps

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Desktop A, the 65% signal, is in one of those stupid "all in one" workstation desk things. It's through just one wall, but I swear there must be a pipe or something blocking the signal. Desktop B, the 45% signal, is just sitting next to a desk, but it's behind about 4 walls and about 50 feet. I think a WAP functioning as a repeater might help, but someone is coming to look at my wired network tomrrow since I can't figure out what the hell is wrong with it. If the wired network can be fixed, all this wireless stuff is going back asap. I'll probably ask for some help on that wired network in a little bit. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Ok, new topic. If I wanted to plug the wires for a cat5 cable into a patch panel, would it be better to strip the sheath first or should I just plug 'em in?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

FWIW, I never recommend USB for any network connections. I'd either pick up an Ethernet connected wireless client or stick with the PCI wireless card. You can put an external antenna on most PCI wireless cards if you're having signal strength issues.

 

[jbritt1234]

Originally posted by: TheBoyBlunder
Ok, new topic. If I wanted to plug the wires for a cat5 cable into a patch panel, would it be better to strip the sheath first or should I just plug 'em in?

Big topic change... hehe

I'm going to assume this it the punch-down type of patch panel. Strip the sheath covering the 8 wires back far enough to get enough exposed wire that you can comfortably handle them. Look at the wiring diagram and see what order the wires need to be in. While manipulating the wires, try to leave the wires twisted right up to the panel and don't have a couple inches of exposed wires dangling. Try to get the wires punched down as close to where the sheath ends as possible. Try to keep the individual wires about the same length, don't have the ones on the far ends be a inch and a half while the center ones are half a inch.

Do NOT strip the sheath's off the individual wires...

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
FWIW, I never recommend USB for any network connections. I'd either pick up an Ethernet connected wireless client or stick with the PCI wireless card. You can put an external antenna on most PCI wireless cards if you're having signal strength issues.

So your approach is "Let them spend more money" (on cable, and antenna).

What are they getting for the extra money?

PCI is a PCMCIA Card stuck onto PCI interface board.

USB is the same PCMCIA stuck into a plastic box with USB circuitry.

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
FWIW, I never recommend USB for any network connections. I'd either pick up an Ethernet connected wireless client or stick with the PCI wireless card. You can put an external antenna on most PCI wireless cards if you're having signal strength issues.

So your approach is "Let them spend more money" (on cable, and antenna).

What are they getting for the extra money?

PCI is a PCMCIA Card stuck onto PCI interface board.

USB is the same PCMCIA stuck into a plastic box with USB circuitry.

I think what he means is build your own antenna for a whopping $10 at most.

 

[Tash]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
FWIW, I never recommend USB for any network connections. I'd either pick up an Ethernet connected wireless client or stick with the PCI wireless card. You can put an external antenna on most PCI wireless cards if you're having signal strength issues.

what do you mean by "ethernet connected wireless client"

and how do you build your own antenna to attach to a pci wireless card?

BTW, does anyone know how SMC and GIGAFAST are at 802.11b?

Thanks.

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
FWIW, I never recommend USB for any network connections. I'd either pick up an Ethernet connected wireless client or stick with the PCI wireless card. You can put an external antenna on most PCI wireless cards if you're having signal strength issues.

USb and 802.11b have the same max thruput so whats the difference? If u were going to .11g, or wired fast ethernet, that is another story. For this, it makes no difference and the USB will make it easier to move around without spending more on an external Antenna.