entry level wireless question

[gagan512]

im a network newbie so these q's mite sound really stupid but pls bear.

im gettin a DSL connection frm a local isp. i have 3 computers at home, (roomies) and 3-6 with my neighbours.

i wanna buy a wireless router for the DSL connection and have all 6-9 computers access the internet. what hardware do i need to buy ? my isp provides the DSL modem(and i dont want 'em to know that im sharin the connection with so many ppl! ) how much will this whole setup cost me ? i've seen some great deals on these things on the hot deals section, but i dont know what to buy !

thanks a ton,
-gagan

 

[bigshooter]

If you want wireless you need any wireless router you can find a good deal on. I would recommend getting wireless g equipment as it seems to have the best range and speed, but it costs a little bit more. You may need a signal booster, or another access point if you are going to a neighbors house/apartment. Exterior walls really mess with wireless. How fast is this dsl connection, is it really fast enough to handle 9 people?

You should also watch out if you are going to have 9 people using this heavily. You will probably bog down the connection, plus the isp may look into it if you have such heavy usage. There is also equipment out there for them to analyze traffic and find out how many pc's (well at least ip's) are behind the nat device.

All in all I prefer Linksys. My second choice would be Netgear, but it's all up to you. They both make good products. You don't really need anything else except for the wireless cards.

 

[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

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 $9.99 (both after rebate).

Example:

Link: Barricade 11Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router with 4 Port. $29.99 (after rebate).

Link: EZ Connect 802.11b Wireless PCMCIA Network Adapter. $9.99 (after rebate).

If you go with 801.11g get a set from D-Link or Linksys. Both seem to be at the top of the current rather limited "crop" of 802.11g Entry Level hardware.

If you are going for 802.11b and long distance is a must, it is a very long story and I am not going to try analyzing it here.