Wireless adapter....USB or PCI??

[blurredvision]

Hey guys. I just got the Linksys WRT54G router for Christmas. If you can't tell from the model number, it's a wireless-g router . I plan on putting my second comp (which just sits beside my main comp now) downstairs, hence my want for a wireless setup. I live in a small townhouse apartment, so I don't think signal will be any kind of problem.

This brings me to my question. When I put my second comp downstairs, I am wanting it to be as wireless as possible, including keyboard, mouse, and maybe even speakers. The only thing I want is the monitor hookup and power cords (maybe a printer, but can I get that wireless too?) to be seen. But, I've read on Anandtech's FAQ about wireless, and it strongly states to get a USB wireless adapter if you have the choice, because the ability to move the antenna around is a big plus. But I don't want the wires. Should I just go ahead and get the USB adapter over the PCI? Will I notice that big of a difference, and will I be better off?

TIA.

 

[skyking]

Look at it this way;
Do you want to move a little antenna around to get the best signal, or turn you whole computer around and move it?

Another thing to consider:
the 54Mbps advertised is a best case scenario, right next to the WAP or router. Distance, walls, etc. halve that value, and halve it again and again.
Just being able to move that little USB antenna around may make the difference between a 54Mbps connection and a 13Mbps. My 2 cents.

 

[cmetz]

With either USB or PCI, get something that has a cable and lets you move the antenna away from the PCI. The big honkin' dense steel case with RF-emitting electronics inside is not good for your signal.

D-Link makes PCI adapters with a short cable to an outboard "joystick" antenna.

Linksys and others have the antenna directly out the PCI card, which strikes me as bad.

USB is safer that way because it's much easier to move away from the PC. USB as a bus is just awful, and there can be more annoying device driver problems. But it gives you a lot of antenna placement freedom, which often makes up for all of USB's technical limitations.

 

[Zelmo3]

I just yanked the USB wireless adapter out of its port and put it away forever. It worked flawlessly in Win98, but since installing WinXP I get 3-5 seconds of no connection every minute. I'm almost wishing that I had bought a PCI card, except that when my folks visit they can use the USB adapter to connect to the internet.
I wouldn't worry at all about range. I got the same signal quality from across the house as I did from right next to the router.

 

[Pudgygiant]

Best thing to do: PCI with a cantenna. I get between 80% and 90% on my router about 50 feet away. I don't like USB that much as it's just another piece of clutter.

And zelmo I know EXACTLY why that is. If you show the connection in the tray you have to check "Allow me to connect to this unsecure network" or else XP auto-disconnects sporadically.

 

[blurredvision]

I am leaning towards USB, but the D-Link PCI adapter mentioned does interest me. Are there any consequences with using different branded products in the wireless world (i.e. DLink adapter with Linksys router)???

 

[Zelmo3]

Pudgygiant, thanks for the tip. That's something I've messed with, and it seems like the checkbox has cleared itself every time I go back to it. Is that normal?
Blurredvision: all 11b and 11g products are supposed to work together, regardless of manufacturer. I haven't tried mixing brands yet, so I can't speak from experience, but every product box and web page I've seen regarding compatibility says something to that effect.

 

[InlineFive]

I agree with the USB solution for all of the reasons stated above. In addition to being able to move it for better reception I think it would be nice because you could easily swap it between computers.

-Por

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: Zelmo3
Pudgygiant, thanks for the tip. That's something I've messed with, and it seems like the checkbox has cleared itself every time I go back to it. Is that normal? Blurredvision: all 11b and 11g products are supposed to work together, regardless of manufacturer. I haven't tried mixing brands yet, so I can't speak from experience, but every product box and web page I've seen regarding compatibility says something to that effect.

Note that if you run a 802.11b device that is communicating with a WAP or router running 802.11g, all the devices that are attached are forced to run at the slower 802.11b speed. It's compatible, but at what price?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: gunrunnerjohn
Note that if you run a 802.11b device that is communicating with a WAP or router running 802.11g, all the devices that are attached are forced to run at the slower 802.11b speed. It's compatible, but at what price?

Seriously? Not to say you are wrong, but can anyone confirm what gunrunner is saying? If so, that would suck! I was planning on picking up an 11b adapter, but I will have second thoughts on that if this is true. Not too big a deal I don't think, as this one comp will be the only thing running wireless for atleast a couple months. Although, I plan on getting an 11g adapter for my game consoles sometime.

 

[novowel]

I choose USB, one cable isn't a big deal..you could be running feet upon feet of CAT5

 

[thirdlegstump]

Nah, it's not true. I've got a network of about 40 users all running at different speeds, some connected at full 54mbps speeds and some at 11mbps. BTW, I've had pretty good luck with the Linksys USB wireless adapters. Sometimes they are finicky when it comes to being properly detected and working with it's own connectivity software but once it's working, it's been quite stable..at least in Win2k and XP.

 

[MasterofNone]

I would not use USB. I just set up a wireless network with a 3Com Office Connect Wireless 11G Access Point plugged in to a Netgear router. This AP also can be configured as a client bridge. This would seem to be the best choice because most all motherboards have on board LAN, available cat 5 cable length, and it doesn?t use an additional PCI slot. On the client side I'm using an ORiNOCO/Proxim PCI a/b/g card, the one with a wired antenna. A fixed antenna PCI card can work well, as long as the back of the computer is facing the AP. Everything works great and signal strength is not a problem but I?m thinking I should have gone with a second AP to use as a client bridge. And that is what I?ll do for another computer that is going wireless.

http://www.proxim.com/products/wifi/client/11abgpci/index.html

http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&pathtype=purchase&sku=3CRWE454G72

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: deathkoba
Nah, it's not true. I've got a network of about 40 users all running at different speeds, some connected at full 54mbps speeds and some at 11mbps.

I do not know what the nature of your 40 users Network is?

However in case of One 802.11g Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a source.

If the 801.11g and 802.11b cards are communicating at the same time.

Bad 802.11g Router/AP will get down to the level of 802.11b.

Good 802.11g Router/AP will lose 30% to %40 of the ?Speed?.

USB vs. PCI

When it comes to Entry Level Wireless Clients almost all of them are based on PCMCIA cards.

The so called USB is a PCMCIA card connected under the plastic to a USB interface.

The so called PCI is PCMCIA plugged or soldered to PCI interface board.

Since the PCI and the USB are PCMCIA with additional interface circuitry and different buses the performance resultant is some what less (about 5%-10%) than pure PCMCIA.

What shell I use?

For Laptop the regular PCMCIA is the best solution.

For Desktop (or tower case) USB Wireless Client Card should be considered as the preferred solution.

Why?

Wireless is depending on signal propagation.

PCI Wireless Client Card ends up been stuck behind the computer's case, resultant in obstructed transmission and poor performance. USB is connected to the Port with 2-3' cable allowing the Antenna to be placed above the System for better Transmission.

However a PCI card is a good choice when a powerful external Antenna is needed for long distance. Many Wireless PCI cards come with a removable Antenna.

So why the hack they made PCI.

Well the real development decisions are usually starts with Business Orientation rather than CS Orientation.

In a cubical type of office envioroment you can stick a Flat Ceiling Antennae, and since there are no upper walls it can provide good signal to PCI cards.

USB Wireless Modules is easy to unplug and make them disappear.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
However if you have One 802.11g Wireless Cable/DSL Router and an 801.11g and 802.11b communicate at the same time.

I got a little lost in your wording, Jack, but I am assuming this is what you meant:

If you have an 11g router with an 11b adapter and 11g adapter receiving signals from it, that the b and g will get their full speeds available (minus overhead and signal strength, of course)??? Thanks.

 

[JackMDS]

Sorry if it is not clear the post was not edited correctly.

The 802.11g will be slowed down in the presense of 802.11b signal.

"Bad" 802.11g Hardware will get down to the level of 802.11b.

"Good" 802.11g Hardware will lose 30% to 40% of the ?Speed?.

 

[Auxano]

I have used USB because of signal problems with a fixed PCI solution but still deal with connection issues.

Can anyone recommend a cheap wireless router to "bridge" with my Netgear MR314?

Thanks all :heart:

 

[blurredvision]

Today, I picked up the Linksys USB 11b adapter. Besides my own stupidity at the beginning, I got it up and running no problem. I'm confident I made the right purchase, and hope to upgrade to 11g in the next few months when g prices come down a little bit. Thanks.