Wi-Fi Hardware

[avzay66]

I'm trying to install a wireless network inside of my house... What hardware do you recommend?

 

[JackMDS]

If you have to get Wireless Cable/DSL Router I will go with this: SpeedStream Wireless Router.

The Speedstream 2624 has two advantages.

1. The Antenna is removable.
2. The original Antenna is 5dbi (The regular ?stick? that comes with most Entry Level Wireless hardware is 2.2dbi).

However, the Best Wireless Router is a Wired Router with an Access Point attached to it.

Middle Price Entry level flexible Access Points D-Link 900ap+. Linksys WAP11.

High Price Entry level flexible Access Points the Orinoco Wireless line.

When it comes to Entry Level Wireless, 99% it will work well in the same room. Anything else you do not know until you try!

At the moment it is advisable to wait few weeks and see what comes out in the new draft compliant 802.11g Wirless Hardware (that is 54Mb/sec, compatible down with the current 802.11b 11Mb/sec.)

 

[cmetz]

The current wireless networking market is very turbulent. 802.11a and 802.11g are new standards, and there's a proprietary 802.11b "turbo" based on somebody (TI)'s proprietary chipset (I think all the D-Link "+" models have this). It probaby would not be a good idea to sink more money than you have to into wireless stuff right now.

802.11B "Wi-Fi" equipment deals are common (see Hot Deals) if you don't mind getting the lower-end/mass-market stuff. That equipment is more or less all the same. I have heard bad things about the SMC wireless router's reliability. The cheap stuff all probably varies significantly in how good it is from a RF (antenna, etc.) perspective, but it's hard for people who aren't radio people to judge that by anything other than getting it and trying it out.

The Orinoco equipment used to be very good, but has fallen behind lately and is not price competitive with the mass-market stuff. The Cisco equipment is very good, but carries a Cisco price tag (for home, forget it).