Wireless home network. Best solution

[Davegod75]

I have four computers; (1) upstairs and (3) downstairs. I would like to network them via some brand of wireless. The computer upstairs had the internet connection, so if i could share that over the wireless network that would be a plus. I'm guessing i would need (4)wireless Nic's with pcmcia->pccard adapters. and (1) or (2) access points.

Any one know of some good solutions for this, price is a very big issue.

thanks

 

[jeremy806]

I recommend using USB 802.11b wireless NICs, such as those available from D-Link.

With USB, you can use the NICs quite easily on any computer.

To save money, try NOT using an access point in the beginning by using ad-hoc mode for the network. Access points are expensive, try to avoid them.

ICS is easy to set up, so is home networking and light encryption, at least with the D-Link USB NICs that I use.

jeremy806

 

[Davegod75]

could you provide some links and maybe explain the ad-hoc a tad

 

[Tonec]

Intel Anypoint usb nics 1.6mbp $90 each. Comes with easy to use intel software, install on all 4 comps, click server on one and clients on the rest.

 

[Bingo13]

This is what I am using on three of my eight systems, Link works very well for the internet and some light gaming. I ran out walls to lay cable into plus we went wireless at work so my or my wife's notebook can access the internet instantly at home now.

 

[Jorrit]

sitecom isn't too expensive either. with less than 6 computers or so connected you don't have a need for a gateway, only the nics themselves..

 

[jeremy806]

www.dlink.com

www.computers4sure.com

Ad-hoc means no access point, just a NIC at each computer and they all just talk to the air. Ad hoc may get trouble some if all of your computers are being used at the same time, but you can always add the access point later.

I heard that Intel is abandoning HomeRF (Wireless Anypoint solutions) in favor of 802.11b. Anypoint wireless is not 802.11b. Be careful with that.

At D-Link, you can download the user manual for the USB NIC and read about them. I linke my D-Link stuff, but I just bought them because they were cheap and I only needed two, do your own research if quality matters because you'll be spending a bit of mooney with all of those computers.

jeremy806

 

[Davegod75]

thanks it looks like Linksys has the same sorta thing.
I was thinking of getting the pci adapter and and pcmcia card for my computer and some maybe two of the usb devices. I'm guessing they will work together?

 

[jeremy806]

They should, but I never tried that.

I went with USB to save the PCI slot.

Linksys and some others have similar setups. I went with D-Link because it was cheap and available.

Jeremy806

 

[Davegod75]

cool..thanks again

 

[HansXP]

I'd recommend you definitely get an 802.11b setup. Don't get any of that proprietary crap. I'd recommend PCI or PCMCIA wireless NICs if you have the free slots, as they will be faster than USB ones. For an access point, you can get something like this which only costs a couple hundred dollars and will allow you to share Internet access and link all of your PCs. Ad-hoc mode is a pain compared to getting a gateway.

 

[tom3]

Would any 802.11b wireless NICs work with a 802.11b router even if they are made by different manufacturers? I would think that if they all comply to the standard protocol, they would work flawlessly together??

I have an SMC wireless router with a printer port built-in, and I'm now shopping for wireless NIC's. Hopefully PCI ones.

thanks!