Going from wired to wireless on one of my servers.

[de8212]

Background
I have a fileserver running XP pro in a closet. It's connected via cat5e to a router in the same closet. I connect to through my network to transfer files, etc. as well as windows remote desktop when I need to actually"be at the computer". IOW I have no keybboard, mouse, or monitor connected to it.
Question
I'd like to move the pc and there is no available wire at that location. In doing so I will add a wireless G network adapter.
Note:I already have a wireelss g router hooked up, etc. so that's not an issue.
What is the best way to make the switch from wired to wireless in my situation?

Option 1
Leaving it just as it is, connect the wireless adapter, Connect via RD and configure it. Shutdown, remove the pci NIC. Reboot, and it will work fine as before.
Will it prompt me for my WEP pass key/phrase?
Option 2
Connect monitor, keyboard, mouse and do it the old fashion way.
Option 3
Actually I don't have an option 3.


Any ideas?????

 

[bluestrobe]

I would never run any type of server or heavy use workstation on a wireless connection. No wireless connection is 100% secure and the more you use it, the more chances your security will be compromised.

 

[Fardringle]

Completely disregarding security (which you should never do ) I wouldn't run any type of server on wireless anyway. The simple fact that you are using it as a file server implies that you transfer files from it on a regular basis. Even under PERFECT conditions, wireless isn't close to as fast as a wired connection would be and you will definitely notice the difference if you are regularly pulling files from and pushing files to the server. And having this server in a closet pretty much guarantees that you are going to be lucky to get a 'decent' connection at best, and certainly not a 'perfect' one...

 

[Goosemaster]

In addition to all the comments which others have made and I agree with completely, keep in mind that wireless to wireless transfer speeds are ATRICIOUS.

 

[de8212]

Thanks for everyone's concerns. SO, besides the security issues, can someone give me some real world numbers on the speed? For example, how long would it take on a wired network to transfer, say, a 100 MB file versus the wireless G w/speedbooster?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: de8212
Thanks for everyone's concerns. SO, besides the security issues, can someone give me some real world numbers on the speed? For example, how long would it take on a wired network to transfer, say, a 100 MB file versus the wireless G w/speedbooster?

It'll be horrible. leave it at that. latency will be atrocious too etc....just don't do it.

 

[nweaver]

wired approaches 100 mb/s (under ideal)

wireless approaches 40ish (iirc) under ideal (read, not real world) situations. Remeber with wireless you are "54", and then you add noise, packet loss, latency (wire is light speed, wireless is radio speed) and other things.

 

[Fardringle]

Under perfect conditions, the file will take about twice as long to transfer over wireless as it would over a wired connection. Under average conditions probably four times as long. With your server in the closet (i.e. poor wireless conditions), you could be looking at ten times as long or more.