have netgear rt314 and want to add wireless to system

[Dat]

rather than buy another 4port router with wireless access, can i just get the me102 here and hook it into my current rt314 system? I don't see any reason why I cant but I'll like to hear some opinions.

Also wanted to know what other options are available for adding wireless to this system and which ones are recommended.

 

[slunk]

I have been wondering the same thing also. I too have the rt314. I assume it would work just fine like that, but why choose the Netgear AP when you already have the netgear router? Why don't you plug a Lucent Orinoco RG-1000 into it. Better quality and cheaper.

 

[RanDum72]

Yes, you're right. If you want to keep your existing router and just want to add a seperate access point, you need to add one that hooks up to one of your ethernet ports like
this one from Netgear..

The cost, according to the Netgear store, is $223 for the AP. Their very own wireless router with built in 4-port switch is $330. Difference is approximately $100, which
is pretty much the cost of a Netgear router w/ 4-port switch only like the RP114 and the older RT314.

 

[aka1nas]

Im using the rt314 with a Linksys WAP. It works fine. Keep in mind that the wireless doesn't have anywhere near 100 feet of reception in practical applications. If there are walls with pipes in them, or you are going through several wall, it really kills the signal. The best bet is to put the access point someplace high up in the house. That usually gives better reception.

 

[Dat]

Thanks for the feeback. So it looks like a simple thing to add a wireless AP to my system so now the question is which way to go?

Anyone wanna weigh in with cost/features/reliability of different solutions?

Also wondering about how APs work... Like if I add an AP, will be able to connect more computers to the network or am i limited to the 4ports that the netgear rt314 has?

 

[RanDum72]

The number of wireless clients should be limited to how many your AP can handle. If they all share the same Internet connection, the number
of IP's that the RT314 can dish out automatically is 32( I think), the rest of the IP's you should assign manually (up to 253, I think ,again)
You should check out practicallynetworked.com. They have reviews of routers, AP's and stuff.

 

[Dat]

thanks dude, gonna go check that site out.

 

[slunk]

If you go for the Lucent, you should check this out "Orinoco Security."

 

[Salvador]

I have the Netgear RT 314 router and as much as I like it, I'm probably going to sell it and buy the SMC7004WMBR (something like that anyway) along with a Orinoco USB Gold for a remote desktop.

For those of you wanting the most range, you should consider the Orinoco cards or USB. From what I hear, it really makes a difference.

Sal

 

[slunk]

Why don't you keep the RT314 and add the RG-1000 to it? Is it because of the print server? There is a good deal on the RG-1000 and a Gold Orinoco card in Hot Deals.