Wireless laptop solution?

[ajf3]

Hi all,

I have my house hardwired with Cat5 and I'm using a SMC barricade as an internet router. I have a laptop that I'm able to tie into the network in a couple of rooms since there are ethernet ports in there, but I'm getting tired of lugging cables around & only being able to use it in those rooms...

I've seen the wireless routers where you use special pci/pcmcia network cards, but I don't really want to not take advantage of the in-place wiring for the stationary computers - and I'm really happy with my SMC router too...

Is there a "widget" that would go into the laptops pcmcia slot and communicate with another "widget" that would plug into a port on the router? Esentially making only the laptop connection wireless, but the other machines on the network would remain hard wired and get the associated speed benefits.

Didn't know if something like this was out there or not...

Thx!

 

[JackMDS]

Wireless LAN consists on two main components.

1. Access Point (A/P).

Access Point is the Main Transmitter/Receiver that mediate between your LAN, and main computer, to the rest of the Network. It is connected to the LAN?s Hub/Switch. It usually supports an excess of 100 clients.

2. Wireless Client Card.

Wireless Client Card is the LAN card that you should install on your network computers.

Most Client cards are PCMCIA, which work very well with Laptops.

So, basically you buy an A/P connect it to a regular port on the Router. Buy a PCMCIA Wireless Card for the Laptop. Few minutes? configuration and you are in business.

Money wise: Most A/Ps cost as much as Cable/DSL Wireless Router. So it make sense to buy SMCAWBR7004, which is the same thing as you have with a build in A/P. You can sell your SMC to defer cost or give it as a gift.

There is a cheaper solution, using a Wireless card in the Desktop, and Wireless card in the Laptop. You set the connection using AD-Hoc type of setting (the manuals of wireless hardware explain how to do it). You save $50 to $80 by doing so, but the desktop has to be on all the time, and will have a routing problem (it is feasible solution for a singular user).

Conventional Wisdom* claims that the combination Orinoco Gold (About $90) SMC Wireless Router (About $150) yield the best results.

This link:
ORiNOCO PC Card - Gold.

There are no real big differences between the entry level Routers.

As can be seen in this link:

Wireless Routers Compared

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When it comes to Wireless your mileage may varied, there are too many environmental variables that are unique to each individual setting.

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[Halz]

"widget" = Access Point http://www.us.buy.com/retail/computers/product.asp?sku=10259366&loc=219

 

[need4spd]

I am not the expert here... but I've been researching wireless networking for a little while.

I think all you would need to buy is a SMC EZ Connect 11 Mbps Wireless Access Point Link

From SMC's site... The SMC 11 Mbps wireless Access Point is designed for both business and home users, with a maximum operating range of 1,800 feet. It acts as a bridge between the wired network and the wireless clients. The Wireless Access Point enables the desktop wireless PCI card users and the laptop wireless PC card users to obtain seamless network connectivity

Then you will need a wireless client pcmcia card for your lappy... There are many available for under $100.

Hope this helps!

 

[slunk]

If you would prefer to just connect an AP to your current router, I would go with the Orinoco RG-1000. It will match up well with the Orinoco gold PCMCIA card, and it offers the best options among APs in security.

 

[nealr]

I have a linksys WAP and a linksys wireless pc card. It works as long as I keep my laptop within about 50 feet of the access point, so what I did was put the access point in the middle of my house, and I can get towards the edges, and out on the patio by the pool, but not to the neighbors or anything.

 

[JackMDS]

Most houses in the U.S have insulation material in the outer walls. This insulation material is covered with Aluminum foil that masks the signal.

In addition, most houses have metal screens on the windows to prevent ?bugs? from coming in. Metal screens are very good signal rejecters. Bugs are not coming in, but the signal does not go out.

As a result, the outside (from Wireless perspective) is the twilight zone. Changing Windows screen to ?plastic? one may help.