I = wireless n00b

[ucdbiendog]

Heya guys, I'm considering setting up a wireless network between mine and my friends apartment. I have a few questions though.
1. Is there a limit to the number of computers connected to one wireless router (i.e. lower then the number of possible IPs)?
2. How do the routers prevent unwant users from getting into the WLAN?
3. What is the typical range of a 2.4gHz and 5gHz router?
4. any router/NIC recommendations for what i want to do?

If this actually happens we will be sharing DSL so i want tight security on the router. Thanks for the help in advance guys

Ryan

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

It would help to know how far you're planning on communicating, as well as the construction of the apartments. If it's more than a couple of apartments away, I suspect that you'll have issues. If you have line-of-sight for a long distance, you might look into something like www.cantenna.com for an inexpensive range booster.

 

[ucdbiendog]

ok to clarify the situation, here are the obstacles between our two apartments:
a hallway, and one other apartment. i would say the total distance between the two (closest points) is roughly 60-70 feet max. I will look into antenna boosters too...

 

[Colebert]

hey, just set up a wireless network from one apartment BUILDING to another. I used the WAP54G, BEFSR41, and a WMP54G PCI adapter.

I haved the WAP54G with firmware that boots the signal to 84mW. I get Very Good connection status from XP with 128bit WEP, SSID broadcast disable, and MAC address filtering. Mixed Mode channel 9 (G/B.)

--Cole

 

[ucdbiendog]

is this firmware you speak of available on the manufacturers website? or is it some kind of hacked firmware?

 

[Colebert]

hacked