wireless networking

[MrDudeMan]

i am making a computer for a lady and she has a linksys wireless router

what kind of network card do i need to get to make a computer work on the LAN? and does it work essentially the same was as the cable based routers? plug it in, turn it on, and its ready to go?


thanks

 

[sohcrates]

you're building her a desktop right?

pretty much any standard wireless nic would work.

I would suggesting buying a USB one, though, since it will allow you to get the antenna oriented in more positions than a pci card.

linksys makes them i believe, so you could probably stick with that since she has a linksys router

and yes, it's very similar to a hard-wired router. only exception is that you need to remember to enable WEP.

WEP is basically encryption so people don't park outside her house and access her network...

 

[MrDudeMan]

if i remember correctly, the back of the router only had a WAN-IN port, no LAN ports or anything...i mean all wireless

so, when i put the wireless card inside the computer (or usb, whichever i get), it should receive connection from the router via antennas and its that easy?

 

[sohcrates]

<< so, when i put the wireless card inside the computer (or usb, whichever i get), it should receive connection from the router via antennas and its that easy? >>



you are correct, it's that simple...do you have the manual for the router?

some routers have LAN ports, others don't.

 

[MrDudeMan]

wait a sec, im having a hard time finding a NIC!!!

i need the cheapest one you can find that is WIRELESS and will work with a linksys router!

im sorry...ive been looking and i just cant put my finger on one that i think is going to work!

help please! thanks!

 

[sohcrates]

link

that's a site with lots of reviews of wireless nics (usb and non-usb)

check pricing versus performance there. then go to pricewatch.com and serach for model numbers and lowest prices

 

[MrDudeMan]

you are like the networking god around here



yeah i went to PW but i cant tell what is going to work and what isnt, and i cant tell what is for a laptop and what is for a pc

 

[sohcrates]

<< you are like the networking god around here >>



wouldn't go that far, but i certainly *like* to think i know what i'm talking about most of the time





<< yeah i went to PW but i cant tell what is going to work and what isnt, and i cant tell what is for a laptop and what is for a pc >>



well, anything for a laptop is probably going to say pcmcia somewhere in the description (type II laptop expansion slot)

since you're not looking for that, you're gonna be looking for something with "usb" in the title / description.

You caught me at a pretty boring time, so i'll go see if i can find a good one for ya

 

[sohcrates]

link

that's the cheapest best NIC i can find. $109 though

orinoco gold usb is considered probably the best USB NIC. compliant with any 802.11b wireless router

you don't happen to have a model number of that linksys router do ya?

how come she has a router but not a wireless NIC already?

tell me what your budget is (though i don't know if you're gonna get much cheaper than about 70 bucks, if you can find it that low)

 

[MrDudeMan]

omg are you freaking kidding? 100 dollars!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!


i was thinking like....50 at the most!


dude ill have to get back to you on this, i need to talk to her

 

[sohcrates]

<< dude ill have to get back to you on this, i need to talk to her >>



yeah, do that.

wireless isn't cheap, unfortunately

 

[MrDudeMan]

the router is a WAP11 i think...


if anyone else reads this, try to find me the cheapest wireless NIC that will work with it!

i have looked but i dont have a clue about this wireless network stuff

 

[JackMDS]

WAP11 is not a Router.

 

[MrDudeMan]

what is it?

 

[JackMDS]

WAP = Wireless Access Point.

A good deal for USB Wireless (79$-$20rebate)here:

Belkin Wireless USB Network Adapter


Here is a Wireless primer:

Wireless LAN consists on two main components.

1. Wireless Access Point (WAP).

Access Point is the Main Transmitter/Receiver that mediates between your LAN, and the Wireless computers, to the rest of the Network. It is connected to a regular RJ-45 port on LAN's Hub/Switch, or Router. It usually supports an excess of 100 clients.

2 . Wireless Client Card.

Wireless Client Card is the LAN card that you should install on each one your network computers, that you want to be Wireless.

Most Client cards are PCMCIA, which work very well with Laptops.
For Desktop, it is usually better to use USB Wireless Card. Most PCI Wireless Cards with fixed antenna (stuck behind the PC) yield inferior results versus the Flexible Antenna on a USB card.

If you don't have Cable/DSL Router, you can buy a Wireless Cable/DSL Router, which is a Combo unit that includes Router to share the Internet, Switch for Wired Network and WAP for Wireless clients (plus more goodies).

Here is a general Internet sharing primer:

Basic Options for Internet Connection Sharing

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.
anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=48">Hubs, routers, switches, DSL, LANs, WANs...?</a>

 

[MrDudeMan]

yeah you guys are both awesome


thanks for putting together that elaborate post for me!

ill have more questions for you guys tomorrow, please check back as im sure i will need your help!!!!

 

[MrDudeMan]

fixed link

 

[MrDudeMan]

what is the cheapest i can get a wireless network station + router?

 

[b4rth3zz]

Hi,

Is it also possible to use 2 wireless access points to connect a wired router and a wired switch?
Like : (Wired Router) --> (Wireless Access Point) --> (Wireless Access Point) --> (Wired Switch) --> (Computer1)

And does anybody have experience with wireless signals going through walls? Does it work good?

Thx

 

[sohcrates]

<< (And does anybody have experience with wireless signals going through walls? Does it work good? >>



yeah, it works well. i do it in my house right now. i have a wireless router on the third floor and i can still get a decent signal all the way in the basement

 

[JackMDS]

The Wireless manufactures are relatively careful. They usually claim a solid distance when they put the equipment on two towers with no Visual and electrical interference.

Indoors it is any body guess, in part, because our environment includes a lot of transmission obstructions. (Electrical Screening).
Most of Houses has Insulation with Aluminum Foil cover, metal screens, cordless telephones, microwave etc. Out door trees, buildings, electrical lines etc.

As a result, entry level Wireless Instruments residing indoor, end up with a typical range of 30' to 70'. Out door with an unobstructed view, you can get more.

Replacing the regular Antenna with Hi Gain Antenna, and install it in higher position is a big help.

A selection of aux. Antennae.