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does all wireless hardware stink?

Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
I don't think wireless is ready for the general consumer population yet. It stinks imo. I've had so many problems, I think I'm just going to go back to wired 10/100 ethernet. Does anything actually just work? Just plain work?

I really want a Netgear 108mbps wireless media router, but it only has THREE stars on amazon. The reviews, obviously, aren't terribly great. I like the 108mbps feature, and the hard drive hookup feature, and the dual firewalls. But shoot, it seems that every wireless router gets a bad rap. What's the best stuff to invest in? I want something fast, stable, and secure. I'm willing to save up for it. I've decided I don't mind waiting to save up for good stuff, since good stuff doesn't end up costing you more in the long run in time and parts.
 
Well, I've had lots of Netgear stuff and have considered them "good stuff". 🙂 It really depends on the user expertise and the quality of the end product. Admittedly I had problems with my old MR814 due to some crappy firmware. But now (shameless plug) I have a new Linksys WRT54g which runs a version of Linux and it is rock solid.

As for the features on the router 108Mbps isn't great, it just causes more noise on the waves and doesn't help that much for file transfer. And the dual firewall is a renamed feature most of their WiFi routers have had since the MR814 (802.11b). Basically what I'm saying is that you can get other routers with most of the same features, even though it might not be so publicized.
 
I've had very few problems getting my prism2 card to work with my friend's original AirPort basestation and now his new whatever 802.11g AP, I don't even know what the new one is because it just works and I'm using Linux.
 
Originally posted by: Nothinman
I've had very few problems getting my prism2 card to work with my friend's original AirPort basestation and now his new whatever 802.11g AP, I don't even know what the new one is because it just works and I'm using Linux.
Click to expand...

I think the original airport used the orinoco chipset. 😛

No problems with 802.11b for me. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Nothinman
I think the original airport used the orinoco chipset.
Click to expand...

No clue, the AirPort I was referring to was the basestation AP.
Click to expand...

Yeah. It was basically a small x86 bsded PC, IIRC. Something like a 486 with an orinoco chipset inside. 😛

I could be way off though. My memory is going.
 
I agree that its not really ready for prime time. Between the security issues (just now being fixed) and the set up hassles, I dont see how the average user could set it up and use it.

connections are flakey, etc etc...

Bleh..

I think things are getting better though.
 
hmmm, the only times I've seen problems with wireless networks it was always due to signal strength/quality. Lots of times just changing the channel will fix these.

However expecting the signal to go through concrete, metal, etc will lead to disappointment.

Search e-bay for a cisco 350 access point and a proxim card. rock solid, strong 100 mW radios. might only be 11 Mbs, but I get 11 Mbs through my entire house (3 stories).
 
I've seen a lot of wireless problems and most of the time it's user error. I have to admit it's pretty daunting stuff for a newbie to setup, especially if they try to setup security parameters (usually doing it completely wrong, locking themselves out). SP2 makes it a bit easier but on the router side it can still be a task for those who don't know what they're doing. Also, from what I've experienced, there seems to be a higher case of quality control issues on routers causing flakyness in operation (i.e. routers overheating/freezing/just plain doesn't work).
 
Let say that we have a scale of 20-100 (Max. Stink).

Sub $100 Stink 80
Sub $500 Stink 40
Sub $1000 Stink 20.

Just like any other State of the Art Technology, professional Wireless can do things thta are beyond our imagination

However there are simple things that can be done with very well with Entry Level Wireless.

Entry Level Wireless was initially developed for simple local network connection and it works well in situation like the following examples.

Put an Access Point in the corner of the Cooperate Meeting room so every one can bring his laptop and be connected.

Or put an Access Point (connected with cable to where ever your Router is and surf with your Laptop while sitting on your Lazy Boy and watching the Ball game.

You can use two Independent Access Point to Bridge to part of an office or Home.

Yeah you see a lot of complains.

1. People like to complain, it give a chance to release mental pressure.

2. Some belong to the VCR/DVD Blinking Light. I.e. the VCR /DVD is blinking for few years because they would not read the manual.

3. Many are willing to spent bellow $50 and then do not understand why the wireless does not cover their Mension, or can not be used by few people surfing the Internet, transferring files over the LAN, and trying toSstream Multimedia.

4. Many Wireless problems can be solved by buying inexpensive additional hardware, and using a combination of Wire and Wireless to allow correct positioning of the Wireless Routers and Access Points.
However people get stuck on the Wireless aspect, and you would see statement like I do not want to use even one piece of Wire, and I want my $20 spare Wireless Router to work like a Wireless Client or a Repeater. Well it does not work this way.

I guess it is easy to complain, rather to understand the nature of the medium and to do what is necessary to do to make it work.

You hear the ridicules complains of gamer about Wireless. It is simple if gaming so important for Happiness in your life do not use Wireless. Man if you do not like the Sun do not live in Florida.

There is however a Sad aspect to the Wireless Hardware. Few Brands at times tend to rush to market and release "half cooked" Hardware, counting on later firmware updates. The WEP WPA blunder is an obvious example.

As for basic Wireless Settings this might help:

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

Link to: Wireless - Basic Configuration.

Link: Wireless Security for the Home User.

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

Link to: Wirelessly Bridging Home / SOHO Network.

Link: Wireless Network - Configuration Modes.

Link to: Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point

:sun:
 
I was an early adopter for wireless and I admit, I've had problems with the early hardware. Wasn't functioning well, signals dropping and such, but then I returned it and got a new D-Link DI-624 wireless-g and have no problems since.

8 computers, 4 wired, 4 wireless, with an occasional visiting laptop and 2 PDAs, it was rock solid. I'm pretty amazed actually that the router could handle such traffic.

But, I do have complains with the WEP security key. It was giving me so much problems and Windows just sort of always "forget" the key that I disabled it and used MAC filtering instead.

I guess its a matter of setting it up right the first time.

If you wanna do something right, do it right the first time.
 
ANY product that promotes convenience over anything else is bound to have issues. In the case of wireless those issues present themselves in the form of security issues and dropped connections.

Purchasing a wireless product without accepting those limitations is your fault. Not the wireless devices. I've gone rounds with management people in my organization about this. As an administrator I HATE wireless for these exact reasons. It's not secure, and it's not rock solid. But you can't deny the convenience of it. When it works it's a wonderful tool to let you spread your users out and give them more flexibility in their office layouts.

As a consumer device it's a godsend. The $50 wireless router is quite possibly the single most important technological breakthrough in the last 5 years. It makes it so simple for Joe Bob Blow to buy a networking product, plug his cable modem into it, turn it on, plug in a wireless NIC into his PC and be able to browse the web from his couch. If it stops working. Unplug it, and plug it back in. 9/10 times that'll fix any problems he was having.

Convenient
Cheap
Reliable
Secure

Pick two
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
ANY product that promotes convenience over anything else is bound to have issues. In the case of wireless those issues present themselves in the form of security issues and dropped connections.

Purchasing a wireless product without accepting those limitations is your fault. Not the wireless devices. I've gone rounds with management people in my organization about this. As an administrator I HATE wireless for these exact reasons. It's not secure, and it's not rock solid. But you can't deny the convenience of it. When it works it's a wonderful tool to let you spread your users out and give them more flexibility in their office layouts.

As a consumer device it's a godsend. The $50 wireless router is quite possibly the single most important technological breakthrough in the last 5 years. It makes it so simple for Joe Bob Blow to buy a networking product, plug his cable modem into it, turn it on, plug in a wireless NIC into his PC and be able to browse the web from his couch. If it stops working. Unplug it, and plug it back in. 9/10 times that'll fix any problems he was having.

Convenient
Cheap
Reliable
Secure

Pick two
Click to expand...


Well said...:beer:
 
i bought a buffalo router and card. got it workign no problem, and it suits my laptop needs fine. I can go form the living room couch to the bedroom without dropping connection. this is exactly what I wanted it for. topping out at 54 mbps is nto too shabby either considering my wired hosue is still sitting on a 10mb switch. though in my computer room I have 100mb.

regardless. i am still of the motto "go wired when you can".

its just easier better and smarter. (this last one being my opinion and not reflecting the general opion of the board and/or the site. Gotta clarify myself to avoid the flameware, I mean its not like i said Macs stink, lol)
 
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