Help me pick the right stuff to buy for setting up a wireless internet

[KhoiFather]

Gonna go wireless and I'm not good with the new wireless stuff out nowadays. I'm wondering, what do you think would be the best stuff to buy, to setup a wireless internet around the house? I want to be able to walk around anywhere around the house with my laptop and use it. I'm just not sure which brand, model, and what not to buy.

I know I need to get a wireless router, but will the wireless router be good enough to keep the hackers from getting in? What other stuff can I buy to use that will be easy to setup to make it work without much hassle?

 

[grohl]

Save your money, time, and sanity. Run Cat 5 everywhere.

 

[BHeemsoth]

Originally posted by: grohl
Save your money, time, and sanity. Run Cat 5 everywhere.

Why, wireless networks take less work then a traditional wired network, and can be as secure when configured properly.

When my parents and I moved into our new home, my dad decided to wire the entire home with Cat 5, this turned out to be a big project that eventually cost me 6 weeks on crutches. Snaking cabling through from floor to floor can be a huge pain in the ass. In the process of running the cabling through the walls, i ended up falling and shattering my ankles. 2 years, 2 surgeries, and 8 ankle support pins later, I am finally getting back to normal.


Anyway, Wireless networks are getting to be cheap, and if you configure WEP properly, they are every bit as secure as a wired network.


My reccomendation is to look at a 802.11G set up from Linksys or Netgear (preferably Linksys). Both companies offer packages for around $100 that offer An 802.11G router as well as a PCMCIA card for your laptop.

Head down to your local best buy, staples, OD, or OM, one of them should have linksys products on sale for a decent price.

-Brian

 

[formulav8]

I just bought the same router in the link below for my grandparents. It also has a 4 port ethernet if you want to use cat5.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4056592


Below is the link to the wireless pci adaptor

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4056572

Below is the link to the wireless notebook adaptor

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4056562


I just got this same router and notebook adaptor for my grandfather. We used a Cat5 for the Desktop since the router is right next to the desktop computer. It is perfect for the price and not to hard to get setup. Plus it is Wireless "G" so it is the faster 54mbps.

You can get 1 of each item above for $65 Shipped 2nd Day air. That includes the Router, Notebook Adaptor and PCI Adaptor. I just don't think that can be beat. Plus, you don't have to worry about any rebates.

I am just giving you some info. I have experiance with it. And it is well worth the money. Especially being very cheap.


Jason

 

[amdguy]

FOR GOD's SAKE DO NOT BUY LINKSYS and DLINK WIRELESS PRODUCT!!!

THEY ARE crap..utter crap, crap beyong imagination!!!

I had 3 Dlink Router and 4 Linksys router, all wireless and they would hang a few dozen times PER DAY!!! It drives your blood pressure up, your heart rate up and increase your chance of cardiac arrest. It takes 3 HOURS OF WAIT time to get in touch with a moronic TECH SUPPORT " its hanging right? try changing your cables!!!"" FVCK!!! I returned them all

buy 3Com or NetGear products and you are in for a much better experience!!

i have the 3Com officeConnect WirelessG router and it hasn't hanged EVEN Once

 

[thejackal1]

I have the belkin 802.11b wifi router and it has worked excellent for many months.

 

[KhoiFather]

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll be looking into buying Netgear or 3Com if they have it at Compusa or Best Buy.

 

[htmlmasterdave]

I DEFINATELY vote against the Linksys, but I haven't personally had problems with D-Link stuff....

 

[PCHPlayer]

Originally posted by: amdguy
FOR GOD's SAKE DO NOT BUY LINKSYS and DLINK WIRELESS PRODUCT!!!

THEY ARE crap..utter crap, crap beyong imagination!!!

I had 3 Dlink Router and 4 Linksys router, all wireless and they would hang a few dozen times PER DAY!!! It drives your blood pressure up, your heart rate up and increase your chance of cardiac arrest. It takes 3 HOURS OF WAIT time to get in touch with a moronic TECH SUPPORT " its hanging right? try changing your cables!!!"" FVCK!!! I returned them all

buy 3Com or NetGear products and you are in for a much better experience!!

i have the 3Com officeConnect WirelessG router and it hasn't hanged EVEN Once

As always personal experience can be one-sided. Each manufacturer that makes wireless products have had their good ones and their bad ones. Do your research and make an educated choice.
I have a D-Link 900+ Access Point and I have had to reboot it once in close to 2 years and I never lose the signal unless I am pushing the distance. I have never had to reboot my D-Link 704 wired router.