Thinking of doing a home network

[john0769]

Help sorting things out......I currently have cox as my IP, using a motorola surfboard modem, SB4100 (thinking of replacing it, 4 years old)

I'm thinking, I want to go wireless, but wanted to know opinions on wire or wireless? Also do the wireless routers come with wireless NIC cards? Do most of the new routers clone mac address off the NIC card? Last question for now, if I go wireless, do I want a omni or directional type?

Thanks,
John

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to AnandTech Network Forum (you get for the New Year you own special Q&A).

Q: Do the wireless routers come with wireless NIC cards?

A: If you buy a combo, Yes. But you can and match and buy the Router from one source and a Wireless Client from another.

Q: Do most of the new routers clone mac address off the NIC card?

A: Yes they all do, however it is advisable to use one computer on a wire and clone the wired MAC.

Q: Do they have Wired ports on a Wireless Routers?

A: Yes usually 4 ports + Wireless capacity of 50 and more.

Q: If I go wireless, do I want an omni or directional type?

A: Wireless Routers come with Omni Antenna.
Directional Antenna is usually stronger, but Transmit only in one direction.
So if you use a Directional Antenna and move out of the coverage direction, No Wireless (I.e. if the Directional Antenna toward the bathroom and your bedroom is on the opposite side of the house No wireless in the bedroom).

Q: Can you install Directional Antenna on all Wireless Routers?

A: No, if you expect a use of External Directional Antenna you must buy a Wireless Router that has the capacity to exchange the Antenna.

Q: I want to know more?

A: log here:

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

Link to: Wireless - Basic Configuration.

Link to: Wireless Security.

:sun:

 

[john0769]

Thanks Jack,

After reading that not sure if I can go wireless, the signal would need to travel about 30 feet but though a wall and a floor....I guess tho if my 2.4 GHz phone can make the distance, so should a wireless router signal??

You think I should get rid of my current cable modem....it's a little behind on technology?

Links and Q/A helped alot

Thanks,
John

 

[JackMDS]

Well, I am not sure what your Cable Modem has to do with Wireless.

Nothing really changed in Cable Modem technology in the last few years. If you Modem works well leave it as is.

:sun:

 

[john0769]

My wireless router gets it's feed from the cable modem right?

If I got a faster cable modem with better BW, I would think my connectivity with both computers on the net would benefit?

current modem SB4100 has DOCSIS 1.0 = max chan BW 3.2MHz, max data BW/ chan is 5 Mb/s

new modem SB5100 has DOCSIS 2.0 = max chan BW 6.4MHz, max data BW/ chan is 31 Mb/s

not sure how the feed would affect the network

check this link out....opinion?

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=33-122-054&depa=0

Thanks,
John

 

[JackMDS]

Well if you have a Broadband Connection Contract that provides is more than 5Mb/sec. it might help.

At the moment good DSL connection are usually around 1.5Mb/sec. and good cable connection is around 3Mb/sec.

Broadband connections are capped. If you have a 3Mb/sec. Connection it does not matter how many computers you have the sum of all of them can nor exceed 3 Mb/sec.

So, 5mb/sec. is plenty.

P.S. The modem relates only to the Internet connection it has No effect on the Internal LAN connections as used by the Wireless Router.

:sun:

 

[john0769]

Thanks for the warm welcome and answering all my question (some may have been dumb but I'm learning...)

I'm sure when I get the gear in and start building, I will have more questions

btw....did you look at the link? Thinking of buying that one in my price range! Any thoughts on it?

Take care,
John

 

[JackMDS]

It is a little expensive for a plain 802.11g. On a good sale you can get same thing for $25-$30 less.

For $89 you can get 802.11g Super, which is twice as fast.

:sun:

 

[b4u]

* bookmarking, sorry for the interruption ... keep on going *

 

[sjgmoney]

Welcome John- Don't be so sure you need a directional antenna, most wireless routers send out a pretty strong signal. My Dlink DI-524 wireless router is in the basement and my son's computer is two floors up and on the opposite side of the house. I have a pretty good size house and it couldn't be further away. Signal strength is great, never had any problems.

Confucious (sp?) say: You never know until you try!!!

 

[conbon]

yeah...about the directional antenna...you don't need it. in my apt in SF i usually get something like 5 different wireless signals (most between 40-70%) from surrounding apartments. these are probably going across multiple walls and/or floors.

if you only have desktops and aren't planning on getting laptops, you don't need wireless.

 

[cmetz]

john0769, wired is faster, simpler, and more reliable than wireless. But you have to run cables, which depending on where you need it and the layout of your house could be easy or painful. If you can wire, do it, you'll be better off in the long run. If that's not an option, then go 802.11g wireless.