What else do I need to set up my network at home?

[dodo]

I'd like to connect my desktop and notebook to my ATT broadband cable internet.

I have cable modem and I use cat5e to connect it to my desktop. Now I want to connect my notebook to the net. I'd like to go with wireless so that I can make my notebook online at any place. I bought USR wireless Access PCI Adapter and wireless Access PC Card for my desktop. As I know I still need another wireless PC card for my notebook.

My question is is that the only way I can go with? Is there any other settings, like router, access point etc? I want to set it up in the best way with a reasonable price. Any suggestions is highly appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

dodo

 

[PaintballJunkie]

All you should need is a wireless NIC for your laptop and also a wireless NIC/PCI card for the PC.
set each of the wireless cards to 192.168.0.X (X being a unique number between 2-254)
and turn on the internet connection sharing on the desktop

 

[IJump]

You could also go with a router/WAP combo. Linksys makes one and I have had pretty good luck. As far as ease of set up and stability that might be best. You lappy would also be independent of the desktop for internet access also.

That route would proabably be a bit more expensive, but I think would be a better route if you had the money...... You could also use the wireless pci card for your laptop if it was the right type of card.......

 

[Hossenfeffer]

You could go with the D-link 713P (can be had for ~$97 after rebate this week at Dell Home). Could still use the cat5 to go to your desktop and then use the wireless Access PC Card for the notebook.

 

[JackMDS]

Here is a Wireless primer:

Wireless equipment is basically a replacement for CAT5 cable.

Wireless LAN consists on two main components.

1. Wireless Access Point (WAP).

The WAP is the Main Transmitter/Receiver that mediates between your LAN, and the Wireless computers. It usually can support an excess of 100 clients.

Depending on your Network, WAP can be configured on any regular network R-45 connection, i.e. computer?s NIC, Hub/Switch, and a regular port on a Cable/DSL Router.

2 . Wireless Client Card.

Wireless Client Card is the LAN card that you should install on each one your network computers, that you want to be Wireless.

Most Client cards are PCMCIA, which work very well with Laptops.
For Desktop, it is usually better to use USB Wireless Card. Most PCI Wireless Cards with fixed antenna (stuck behind the PC) yield inferior results versus the Flexible Antenna on a USB card.

Conventional Wisdom claims that the Orinoco Gold (About $90) is the best Wireless Client Card (has PCMCIA and USB versions).

This link:
ORiNOCO PC Card - Gold.

Wireless Gateways (WAP, and Routers) here:

Wireless ACP bridge Total: 29 entries

If you don?t have Cable/DSL Router, you can buy a Wireless Cable/DSL Router, which is a Combo unit that includes Router to share the Internet, Switch for Wired Network and A/P for Wireless clients (plus more goodies).

Wireless Gateway Total: 27 entries.

The SMC Wireless Barricade is considered one of the favorites.

SMC 7004AWBR Barricade Wireless Broadband Router.

Wireless and Range:

The Wireless manufactures are relatively careful. They usually claim a solid distance when they put the equipment on two towers with no Visual and electrical interference.

Indoors it is any body guess, in part, because our environment includes many transmission obstructions. (Electrical Screening).
Most of Houses has Insulation with Aluminum Foil cover, metal screens, cordless telephones, microwave etc. Out door trees, buildings, electrical lines etc.

As a result, entry level Wireless Instruments residing indoor, end up with a typical range of 30' to 70'. Out door with an unobstructed view, you can get more.

Replacing the regular Antenna with Hi Gain Antenna, and install it in higher position is a big help.

A selection of aux. Antennae.

When it comes to Wireless your mileage may varied, there are too many environmental variables that are unique to each individual

 

[dodo]

Thank you very much for all the great information.

I want to make sure two points

1. If I bought a wireless PC card can I shared the cable internet with desktop and notebook, or I have to have a wireless access point.
2. I am a little bit confused with access point and router. I thought they are two different products. While sometimes it seems they can be made as one product. Can you give me some more detailed information? It also seems to me unless you have two more desktops. It is not necessary to have to have a router. Am I right?

Thanks a lot,

dodo

 

[JackMDS]

There is a regular Cable/DSL Router, with ports for wired LAN, NO Wireless.

If you have such a Router, you have to buy a WAP, and connect it to the Router.

If you do not have any Router, you can buy Cable/DSL Wireless Router, which is a combo of the two-unit mention above.

If you have one of the above arrangements. Any computer with Wireless card can share the internet.

More info here:

Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?

 

[dodo]

Ok, looks like wireless access point is what I need next. Before I get it do you think I can temporary connect my desktop and notebook with two normal network cards? I can make two computer see each other. But I can not make notebook online. At the time I am still using dial up modem I can share the internet with my notebook by simply connect these two together. Can I do the same setup now with cable modem?

Thanks a lot.

dodo