Wired/Wireless Network together

[BarnyardMonkey]

Had a quick question maybe someone can help me out with.
searched and found similiar answers but wasn't the exact type setup i'm using.

Would like to add a Wireless Network for my Laptop to use around the house.
but would like it to run with my current setup without having to spend money on another Router.


Current Setup

5 PC's - Connected through a 4-Port SMC Router (Built in Switch),and also a 12-Port Hub Uplinked into the Router (for 5th PC)
Cable Connection with Cat5.

All PC's using 10/100 NIC's.


Would like to Add

Would like to add some kind of Wireless upgrade so that i can use my Laptop around the house without having to plug a Cat5 cable into it everytime i want to browse the internet/Network.

If this is possible,any info/Link on how to do it the cheapest way possible would be apprecaited.
Laptop will just be used within 2 Floors and maybe on the porch or something.
not much distance will be needed.

i know i will need a Wireless NIC for the Laptop,but just curious what other hardware will be needed.
and also,will i lose much bandwith with the Wireless Setup compared to the wired setup to the Laptop?



Thanks for any info.



Shawn.

 

[JackMDS]

Here is a Wireless primer:

In a "Nut Shell" Wireless equipment is a replacement for the CAT5 cable.

Most Current Wireless installations are WIFI standard (802.11b). The max bandwidth is 11Mb/sec.

The new available Standard is 802.11a, the max bandwidth is 54Mb/sec., and it is not compatible with the old standard.

Most people buy the Old standard since the new standard is much more expensive, and for Internet surfing there is no gain by using higher bandwidth (typical Internet speed is around 2-4 Mb/sec.).

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:

Agere ORiNOCO USB Client Adapter Gold.
Wireless Gateways (WAP and Routers) here:

Wireless Access Point. Total: 29 entries

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 setting

* Conventional Wisdom = A lot of positive BBS posting, but no real numerical data.

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

Thanks for all that info.

So basically a WAP is like a Router?
in order for me to use the Laptop on a wireless connection i must get the WAP and hook that into my SMC Router?
then just install the Wireless PCMCIA Card in the Laptop?

Was hoping there was a cheaper way around it other then having to buy an WAP (Wireless Router?) since i allready had the SMC Router.
Looks like there not.


Thanks for the info.



Shawn.

 

[JackMDS]

Nope, WAP is not a Router.

WAP is a Wireless Hub/Switch.

If you buy a Combo AKA Wireless Cable /DSL Router you pay about $130 -175.

If you buy an independent WAP, and a regular Router you pay $160 to $200.

So, you really spend $30 to $50 more having two separate units.

Actually having two separate units has some advantage, it is easy to find a better communication position to a stand alone WAP then to the one unit Combo.

 

[BarnyardMonkey]

Ahh ok,thats what i was hoping for.

Thanks again.


any cheap Wireless Hub you would Recommend?



Shawn.

 

[scorpioLP]

it all depends on what you consider cheap....

but for a couple hundred, I set up my laptop for wireless access using Linksys stuff.

I have a BEFW11S4 (Linksys Wireless Access Point / Cable-DSL Router / 4 port Switch) and I also got a WUSB11, which is a USB wireless NIC ( I got this so I could easily switch it off to a visiting PC, if I needed to). Linksys also has the WPC11 wireless cards for laptops.

The setup was really easy and was up and running in less than an hour.

Linksys also just makes the WAP11, which is just the access point, but for about $20 more, you can get the router and 4 port switch too.