Wireless AP Recommendation

[c3p0]

I have a pretty functional wired network in my house. I would like to add a wireless AP for my Laptop so it could be used on my deck. I have checked around a little and discovered that some AP only work with their brand name Router. Anyone have a suggestion for an AP that works with most wired routers. I can't seem to find a lot of info on this. I am also not looking for a "High End" AP. Just something that will let me use my Laptop around the house and works with my existing wired setup. Thanks!

c3p0

 

[JackMDS]

The way I see it:

Wireless is depending heavily on the environment. I.e. The distance of the Client from the Base station (Wireless Router or Access Point), and the nature of the surrounding obstructions.

One or two walls, and 20-30' all of them should work OK. More walls, longer distance, and or noisy RF environment, you will need the "Upper End" of the Entry level Wireless Hardware.[/b]

If you go for broke you buy the inexpensive of the week at a Mega store (on Sale Rebate etc.). Install, and try if it covers your environment.

Does not work return. The Wireless manufactures are not stating distance in terms of real life, thus buying a set, and returning it due to lack of coverage, makes sense.

In case El Cheappo does not work for you.

For the Laptop I would get the Orinoco Gold Client Card.

Example: ORINOCO GOLD PCCARD PCMCIA 802.11B CLIENT W/128 BIT ENCRYPTION

For a moderate price the Linksys WAP11 is good choice.

Linksys WAP11

For real Entry level Power: ORINOCO AP-200 LOW COST ACCESS POINT FOR HOME OR SOHO OFFICE

For Wireless Router I would go with the SMC Barricade, or Netgear.

If the Entry Level not suffices I would look into the Cisco Wireless. It is a leap in performance as well as the amount of money spent.

An Interesting late addition is the D-Link 900AP+ it is the most flexible Entry Level AP on the market (can work like a repeater with firmware 2.2). A combo of the 900AP+ and a matching PCMCIA Airplus 650+ is currently selling (with rebate) for a little more then $100. If you are lucky and it is covering your range it will run 22Mb/sec.

Primer to the Topic here:

AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

 

[c3p0]

Thanks Jack. All good info. Most of it have seen from the research I have done so far. Actually, I was looking very closely at the D-Link 900AP+ and the D-Link 650+ that you mentioned. They are in the price range I am looking at and have most of the performance I was hoping to get. But I read on another Forum that this D-Link choice did not play well with some of the wired routers unless they were D-Link also. I don't know how true that is. So I guess I am still asking if some Manufacturers hardware work better with existing wired setups that others. Has anyone hit on a setup that works very well together, or one I should definitely stay away from? Thanks!

c3p0

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
The way I see it:

Wireless is depending heavily on the environment. I.e. The distance of the Client from the Base station (Wireless Router or Access Point), and the nature of the surrounding obstructions.

One or two walls, and 20-30' all of them should work OK. More walls, longer distance, and or noisy RF environment, you will need the "Upper End" of the Entry level Wireless Hardware.[/b]

If you go for broke you buy the inexpensive of the week at a Mega store (on Sale Rebate etc.). Install, and try if it covers your environment.

Does not work return. The Wireless manufactures are not stating distance in terms of real life, thus buying a set, and returning it due to lack of coverage, makes sense.

In case El Cheappo does not work for you.

For the Laptop I would get the Orinoco Gold Client Card.

Example: ORINOCO GOLD PCCARD PCMCIA 802.11B CLIENT W/128 BIT ENCRYPTION

For a moderate price the Linksys WAP11 is good choice.

Linksys WAP11

For real Entry level Power: ORINOCO AP-200 LOW COST ACCESS POINT FOR HOME OR SOHO OFFICE

For Wireless Router I would go with the SMC Barricade, or Netgear.

If the Entry Level not suffices I would look into the Cisco Wireless. It is a leap in performance as well as the amount of money spent.

An Interesting late addition is the D-Link 900AP+ it is the most flexible Entry Level AP on the market (can work like a repeater with firmware 2.2). A combo of the 900AP+ and a matching PCMCIA Airplus 650+ is currently selling (with rebate) for a little more then $100. If you are lucky and it is covering your range it will run 22Mb/sec.

Primer to the Topic here:

AnandTech - FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking?

Jack, have you got anything on the new 5Ghz band equipment? I've been interested to try it, but not sure I want to plunk down the money. I've heard terrible things about Linksys's dual-band product, but haven't looked for anything else. Have you heard/seen/looked into anything?

 

[JackMDS]

Quote: Jack, have you got anything on the new 5Ghz band equipment?

I tried some, did not like it, and returned.

No real value for the price.

As you know it does not provide any advantage concerning Internet.

For LAN use?

If you have an office, and one unit has to work all day off a server and has to be Wireless, it makes sense to use the faster 5GHz. At the end of day you probably saved some time.

Otherwise, for regular use it does not provide any meaningful advantage

I would wait to the 802.11g to come out (few pre official 11g parts will be out in Jan. - Feb. 2003), and see how it pans out.

 

[Hoober]

I was looking at .11a just for the file transfer speed. I know it doesn't help WAN speeds.

I haven't heard much about g. Any links offhand?

Thanks.

 

[ktwebb]

Be careful about buying anything labeled 802.11g. It will not made according to any ratified specification. It might still work once the spec'd equipment comes out but it would be a crap shoot. It may work with any Mfg's 802.11g hardware and it may only work with client cards made by the same manufacturer. The board will not even meet to address ratification until this spring (May and certification won't begin until a number of months after that) so nothing official will be out until who know's when. The reality is that there will be no IEEE ceritified component with an official 802.11g logo until next fall at the earliest. At least that is the way it is shaping up. I'm am not necessarily saying don't get anything, just don't be fooled by advertisements about .11g. If a company labels it .11g then it's "their" .11g for now. The likelihood of most pre ballot 802.11g devices is that they will be able to be firmware upgraded to the spec once it's ratified. Broadcom, for instance, will be shipping chips in the very near future that Linksys will use to put on AP's that will have a specific 802.11g logo, Broadcom's. They will guarantee they will be interoperable with other .11g devices that have "Their" 802.11g logo. Their using pre-standard OFDM at 54 Mbs that uses the "Technical ballot" portion of the proposed 802.11g standard so it's a good bet they'll be compatible once ratified with "Official" 802.11g logo'd hardware via flash. We'll see I guess.

"Anyone have a suggestion for an AP that works with most wired routers. I can't seem to find a lot of info on this."

Any and all. Plug it into a port on your router's switch via a cat5 patch cable. AP's are just wireless hub.

 

[Hoober]

I'll just stick with 2.4Ghz and buy 5Ghz phones... and maybe run wire through the walls at some later date. I'm just tired of waiting an hour to transfer 2GB's from my basement to the second floor. Oh well.