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Wireless network.

N

Neal

Member
Hello, I need help figuring out what I need to get a wireless network set up. I would like to use 802.11b technology.
There would be no more than four computers sharing this connection.
They would be a dell dimension w/ win98,
a sony laptop with winXP home,
a self-built machine running winME but might be upgraded to winXP pro,
and a IBM T23 running win2k pro maybe upgraded to winXP pro in the future that already has an integrated 802.11b ethernet card.
My questions are which would be the wireless solution, and what exactly would I need.
My primary concerns are speed, reliability, and somewhat easy to setup. cost isn't really an issue. I know that a wired CAT5 solution is probably better but I would like to use WiFi if possible.
Thanks any help is appreciated.
 
if cost isn't an issue *grins devilishly* get a Cisco 350 Access Point - 802.11b @ 100mw. Then get Cisco 350 100mw cards - PCMCIA for the laptops and the PCI one for your desktop. you can configure the AP over the web, Cisco's WEP implementation is the stronger 128-bit variant and the hashing methadology has yet to be compromised. You can also configure LEAP to dynamically distribute new WEP keys to your clients at a specified interval. Cost: $150-200 for each card and +AH4-1000-1500 for the AP.
 
General info:

This link:
Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing.

and this link"

The Wireless Solution.

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

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

 
hello, that cisco access point looks good although it might be a little expensive for what i am looking for even with cost not being a huge issue.
Is there something I could put together for around 600 total? like maybe 350 or so for the access point and then the rest for the two desktop cards and one laptop card?
I should be able to use the integrated 802.11b card in the IBM thinkpad right? Also how are the linksys products and is all I need an access point and the cards? I currently have no home network whatsoever.
Currently there is just a dell dimension desktop that has a cable connection using a motorola surfboard SB4100 cable modem.
thanks a lot.
Also, Jack I bookmarked your post from a long time ago but the link for the "Real" wireless solution starting from scratch on buy.com did not work thats why I reposted.
thanks
 
Yeah it is time to refresh the Wireless post it is very old (in computer time).

Wireless has three tier pricing.

The entry levels SMC, Linksys, D-Link etc.

The more expensive, but not better (those are certain companies that does not compete like the above).

The much more expensive, and better performing (like some of the Cisco Wireless, and top of the line SMC)

However, as I mentioned the Orinoco Gold seem to be the best of the entry level of Client Cards, and the PCMCIA version can be found for less then $100.

A decent Wireless Router is about $170 (I use the SMC Barricade, and it serves me well).

The integrated IBM should be fine. The Wireless Routers have 3-4 wired ports, so computer that are close to the Router can be Wired (CAT5).

The way to ensure Speed and Range is to buy a combo like the SMC2682W Bridge/AP, and SMC Hi Gain Antenna.

Then equip the Client computers with Orinoco Gold Cards for laptops, and Orinoco Gold USB for Desktops.

EZ Connect? Wireless Access Point/Bridge

This product is an Access Point; you will need a separate Router to share the Internet.
 
The SMC Barricade is very nice; I've been happy with it. I bought my PCMCIA cards before pouring over this forum and got the SMC 2632W cards for my laptops, and I haven't had any, or at least many, issues with them.
 
Could anyone tell me how are the latest wireless NIC cards? I mean are they as fast as the 10/100 PCI cards? Thanks. I'm very outdated on wireless technology.

--SCSI
 
I also agree with the recommendation on the SMC router; however you may be able to save a few bucks by getting the Orinoco Silver, instead of the Gold. From what I recall, the only difference between the silver and gold is the encryption level.

If you went with the SMC wireless router, you would hook your dell dimension, located near the cable modem, directly into the SMC router so you'd need

SMC Router - $190 @ Amazon
2 - Orinoco Silver (or Gold) cards - ~$70 Each - Check ebay
1 - PCMCIA PCI Adapter for your self-built machine - ~$60 - check ebay

That would be a decent setup for under $400.

You may also want to take a look at this thread in the hot deals forum for the smc wireless router/WiFi card combo deal for $200:
linky
 
if cost is an issue grab the linksys kit 2 usb adapters+ the access point then 2 pc card adapters for your laptops, check Icrontic.com for a link on how to up the voltage (and the range) on the access point (*read use your dsl from the backyard) do be sure to enable WEP encryption however.
 
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