Question about D-Link 802.11b wireless cards & access points

[NFS4]

OK, Dell has a D-Link 802.11b CompactFlash wireless LAN card for $71 shipped free (after discounts). I was wondering that if I want to communicate with my desktop (if I get a PCI D-Link 802.11b card) from my iPAQ, will I need an access point, or can I directly communicate between the two without an access point??

 

[Apex]

You should be able to go directly using ad-hoc mode (peer to peer) instead of infrastructure (hub and spoke). Just FYI if you haven't bought it yet, the D-Link cards kinda suck. They lose link very easily compared with other cards.

 

[Muadib]

What are some good ones Apex? I see quite a few people that like the lucent ones, but they want so much for them.

 

[JasonG]

Yes, the lucent ones are best. But, they are expensive!

We use two lucent cards to share a cable modem between desktop and laptop.

It works very well although the useable distance is lower than you'd expect.

Jason

 

[GelflingTurndark]

I have 2 Orinoco Gold cards and they are only mildly pricey. They are $100 street price and have far superior range when compared to others like linksys and d-link. Spend the extra $20 to get this card. You will thank me. I have a Linksys WAP-11 as my access point and with the Orinoco Card and this Access Point I have max signal everywhere in my house (AP is in basement, house is 3 stories). If you want more info, go to this site:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/index.htm

They are a GREAT impartial reviewer of equipment and they are what I used to make my purchase decisions.

 

[NFS4]

That review site gives the D-Link CF high marks. Apex, do you have an evidence to back up your claims?

 

[Apex]

Well, I've used the D-Link, Cisco Aironet PC4800, Orinico Silver, Orinoco Gold, and SMC PC Cards all back to back. I checked their reception from different places in the house as well as checked file transfers (80mb file, transfering to desktop system with no other network traffic). I've personally found the Cisco Aironet to be the best. The D-Link tends to drop the signal or at least the reception falls greatly if you even simply pass your hand over it. None of the others had this problem.

Oh wait, just re-read your post. You're talking about CompactFlash, not PC Cards. Sorry, no experience with CompactFlash unfortunately.

 

[SuperGroove]

<< That review site gives the D-Link CF high marks. Apex, do you have an evidence to back up your claims? >>



Try and get an SMC Router/Access point.

3 10/100 hard lines, handles up to 50 wireless points, also hooks up to a printer for a true network.

I'm getting one for my IBM T23 w/ 802.11b.

 

[NFS4]

<<

<< That review site gives the D-Link CF high marks. Apex, do you have an evidence to back up your claims? >>



Try and get an SMC Router/Access point.

3 10/100 hard lines, handles up to 50 wireless points, also hooks up to a printer for a true network.

I'm getting one for my IBM T23 w/ 802.11b. >>


I'm not looking for an access point. I'm just gonna use the AD-Hoc mode as mentioned earlier.

 

[SuperGroove]

oops. Should've read the entire message