Question about wireless routers

[Saxoholic]

For the average DSL user, what is the pro and con to going wireless router instead of cables? My cousin wants to get another computer and network all the ones in her house, and I'm trying to give her advice.

Any input would be appreciated

 

[Lord Evermore]

The same as the pros and cons for any other user.

No wires needed. Easy to set up. Plenty fast for a home network with DSL service.

Not as fast as Fast Ethernet (which only matters if you transfer files between machines on the LAN). Can be insecure if you set it up wrong, so others access your network and use your Internet connection. Vulnerable to interference or blockage by walls. Expensive in some cases due to needing to buy wireless adapters for the PCs, when many have onboard Ethernet.

 

[Saxoholic]

I have a feeling walls will be an issue. With the dlink 22Mb will walls be a problem?

 

[Lord Evermore]

A 22Mb wireless point is just two channels of 11Mbps together, no difference as far as signal quality and whatnot. Walls shouldn't be a serious problem for an average home, unless they're all filled with some sort of insulation.

 

[JackMDS]

Under same condition the 22Mb/sec. will give you 5-8? more than the 11Mb/sec.

One or two ?flimsy? (i.e. not concrete full of metal) wall will yield 40-70?.

Three walls or more, you never know until you try.

If you are almost there, a good external Antenna can save you.

Make sure that you keep the Hardware neat so you can return if it is not covering your area of service.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Hell, 70 feet? I can YELL the data into a handset connection to a modem that distance. I didn't realize it was that short. Just across our living room is like 30 feet.

 

[JackMDS]

With no obstructions (no walls, or Baroque type furniture) indoor, it will go up to 100' -120'

Once walls get in to the equation it is a fast decline.

Outside, with line of view on top of towers with good directional Antennae it can work for few miles.

This is the Nature of 2.4Ghz. The microwave band.

Many years ago I use to DX the world with 100 Watt transmitter. But that is done using the 20 meter (14Mhz) band.

 

[ktwebb]

"22Mb wireless point is just two channels of 11Mbps together"

Incorrect. Just a different modulation technique. 802.11b at 11Mb uses CCK. .11b+ at 22 Mb signalling rate uses PBCC. You may have it confused with Turbo mode of some Atheros 802.11a AP's which do use two channel sets.