Suggestions on new home wireless network

[sheltem]

Hi, I want to setup a wireless network in my home. As of right now, I have two computers shared through PNA 2.0 and the primary purpose of this network is to share the internet cable connection. From what I've read it's best that I get a wireless router so that I can plug my cable modem into it and get either PCI or USB cards for the other computers. I have a few questions on this.
1. Will I need a computer on at all times? This is one annoyance with the PNA network as the computer with the internet connection has to be on for the other computer
2. What brand of router do your recommend? I already know it's best to buy the same brand router and pci/usb cards to make sure they are 100% compatiable.

Any input on this would be much appreciated

 

[dpm]

1) Using a seperate router, wireless or not, will mean that you don't have to have a computer on all the time.

2) I'm using a 3com 802.11g WAP, because I got a cheap bundle deal. I've not used enough to recommend one, but there is a good resource for reviews here , although since it is based in the UK, not all the models might be available to you

 

[JackMDS]

May be this can Help.

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

Link to: AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

Ignore the prices in the links above. The same or similar hardware can be found for 60%-90% less.

BTW, if you are pleased with you HPNA System, you can get an HPNA Capable Router and avoid the computer need to be On all time issue.

General Wireless info.

802.11b = 11Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)
802.11g = 54Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)

Wireless Ethernet needs additional protocol over head for the transfer. In addition, it is not as stable as Wired so it needs extra processing procedures.

As a result the 11Mb/sec. of the Network chipset is translated to a much lower actual performance. Usually 4-6Mb/sec.

Few 802.11b hardware units are also capable to work at 22Mb/sec.(usually referred to as b+) it is nice if it works, in real term will yield 20%-40% more than 11Mb/sec. systems.

The 802.11g line that is rated 54Mb/sec. in the real world it yields 18-22Mb/sec.

The differences between the first set of graphs to the second represent the performance differences between 802.11b to 802.11g. It might give you a good idea about indoor's distance coverage. Your actual distance might be different. Indoor coverage depends heavily on the envioroment; graphs like this should be used to understand the relation in performance between Wireless hardware. .

Link: 802.11a/b/g SOHO Routers & Access Points: Performance

The D-Link 624 SuperG and the Netgear WGT624 SuperG seem to out perform the rest of the bunch.

In order to achieve such a performance you should get the matching SuperG cards of the same brand.

 

[sheltem]

Ok so here's another question. Suppose i get a wireless router, will I need 2 seperate USB wifi's for both computers? Or can I use the router on one computer and the usb wifi for the other? In other words, I supposed I can plug the ethernet cable from my computer's port to the router, thus getting internet that way. Then for the other computer, the connection would be shared through wireless.

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah. That is what most of us do.

What ever possible on the Wire, and the rest Wireless.