Wifi PC to Ethnernet Switch

[champion-7891]

Hi...

I currently have a dsl modem that is fed into a 5 port ethernet switch for the home network. Recently I acquired a laptop and am thinking of getting this:

http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-WR740N#spec

for wifi.

A couple of questions:
1) will other laptops be able to join the homegroup through wifi
2) if a buy a PCI wifi adaptor:
http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-WN350G#over
for my desktop, will I be able to access the same wifi network
3) Assuming that I could for 2), if I use the wifi card for the home network then could I use the desktop LAN port for the ethernet switch i.e. could i use the LAN port as a source for an ethernet switch?

 

[degibson]

1) Yes.
2) Don't do this. Wired trumps wireless any day of the week.
3) Bad idea. Possible, but a hassle to set up, hassle to operate.

If you buy the Wifi router, recommend you just replace your existing 5-port switch and call it good.

 

[boochi]

The TL-WR740N is a very good cheap router. I have two of them in a WDS setup and they have performed flawlessly. They have excellent firmware and are extremely stable. I found it far more stable than the DD-WRT or Gargoyle firmwares that are supported. The 4 LAN ports are only 10/100 speeds but the wireless can perform up to 150mbps. The wireless range is not the greatest but is more than adequate for the setup I needed.
As far as the wireless card you are looking at, I would go with one that works at 802.11n speeds as 54mbps may not be fast enough to stream HD content in a wifi congested environment.

 

[Smoblikat]

1. Yes you can
2. Why would you want to?
3. Ive done it in times of GREAT need, but I wouldnt recommend it for anything other than the backup for your backups backup.

 

[mammador]

I'd second going for the wifi router, and just having one wifi subnet.

Or if you wish to meld the two, have a wired router and switch with a wireless access point. So if you or anybody has has a wifi device, you can still have connectivity.

 

[champion-7891]

thanks!

 

[champion-7891]

just one more question - could I connect a normal ethernet switch off the tp link wifi router? (would allow me something like 3 LAN ports off the wifi router and 4 off the normal ethernet switch)

 

[boochi]

yes