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Need advice on home network (wired/wireless)

B

BD2003

Lifer
Me and my friends just moved into a new apt, and want to share DSL service between us, so obviously we are going to need some sort of router. We have 4 computers. The problem is though, two of the computers are entirely on one side of the apt, while the other two are on the complete other side, with about 50 feet between the two sides.

Ive always been thinking that wireless just aint ready yet, and that we're better off going with wired no matter how stupendously long the wires have to be and how much of a pain it would be to mount them to the wall.

So basically, is wireless quite there yet? Obviously file transfers wont be as fast, but will it slow down lan gaming significantly for the wirelessly connected computers? Do connections drop as often as I think they will? And what would be the ideal setup? Obviously a wireless cable/dsl router on one side of the place connecting two with wires with wireless to the other, but how to connect the wireless ones? Would I be better off getting wifi cards for each of the systems, or buying a access point and wiring to it?

Or should we really just go the wired route? I already have a wired linksys router, and long cables cant cost THAT much...
 
Wireless would be the ideal solution for you, bud. A linksys router has an easy range of 75-150 feet.

If you got the Wireless-G (WRT45G) 802.11g 54mbps router & cards, you would prob get an actual throughput overall of 22mbps.

if you consider that a DSL connection gets an average of 256-512kbps speed, you are 20x over that speed on your wireless home network.

the bottleneck would still be the DSL connection, not the wireless router.

if you went with a wired 100mps solution, you just overbought what you need, plus you 'd have the disadvantage of being tied down to wires across the room.

i've put up wireless nets for friends already and they love'em. plus if you have, or will have, laptops--you'll love the freedom of mobility. you can have internet in bed then! lol

but: since u already have a wired router, it's next-to-nothing to just purchase cables for the 'puters. so if you are really into saving $ that would be the obvious way to go.
 
I agree that wired is the way to go for now. I think 802.11G will be great in the future. I have used many Linksys wireless devices and recently have started prefering the Netgear wireless router.
 
I still believe wireless would be the best choice, if not the more versitile, most fun to play with and the longer-lasting investment (should your money be burning a hole in your pocket).
 
50 feet is nothing when it comes to running network lines. I use both wired and wireless. Wireless is great for laptops and pdas and when running cable isn't an option. I'd run the cable unless there is no way to discreatly run the line.
 
I'd go wireless, but I'd try to avoid the G products if you're only getting a basic DSL line. I've had a few problems with Linksys G routers and only have been totally satisfied with the Belkin G router. B stuff has gotten really cheap and I don't think you'll notice a speed difference on that line.

Colin
 
Why purchase a B router when a G is now just a bit more, or close to the same cost?

With the upgrades and maturity that G model firmware upgrades bring, and for the fact that G routers do B products, G routers are great.

I've deployed the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G for a few different installs, and they've all performed wonderfully.
 
I have to say this is my reccomendation: For pro users , and lan gamers, WIRED WIRED WIRED. For soccer moms, laptop net surfers... wireless is great!! I have installed 10 wireless networks for friends of mine including my parents house and my own. If you are going to be using the lan for gaming, or file transfering you will wish you had wired.

My example :

My parents house: all pc's are wired (we use them for gaming and stuff, file transfers etc) but all laptops use wireless. wireless has its advantages but i wouldnt limit myself to it. Sometimes if i am doing large transfers from a laptop to a pc, i plug the laptop into the wall, and the difference is amazing. (when going from a pc on the lan to another)
 
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