Wireless router with 10/100?

[TheLizardMan]

Is there a wireless router with two or more 10/100 ports on them? And what is the distance that a normal wireless card can pick up the signal?

Also... there is no reason to have a G router if I'm just using it for home use right? B will do just fine, G would be nice... but since B is 1/2 the price... why not.

Also... is a G wireless card backward compatible with B networks?

Thanks

 

[IceNineJon]

Most wireless routers have 10/100 ports on them. The Netgear MR814 does...that's the one I'm using. As for G...it all depends on what you're using it for. I use my network to share my DSL which isn't blazing fast (tops out around 150 kilobytes/sec which is around my transfer rate when transfering files on the local network) so I don't need/have any use for G. If your devices are close together and you want higher speeds, you can go with G. And yes, G is backwards compatible with B.

 

[TheLizardMan]

Nice, and CHEAP!

Looks like 4 10/100's on then cool.

btw... you say B tops out at 150kb/s ?!?!?!

I'm a wifi noob and did zero looking up on the issue, but I was expecting at leats 500kb/s on lan... but hopfully at least 1mb/s. :/

 

[IceNineJon]

No, mine tops out around 150Kbytes/sec (note that that's BYTES, not bits). The overall transfer rate is determined by distance, noise, etc. My router is upstairs, my computer is downstairs so the signal is going through the floor and several walls. If your computer is closer to the router than mine, you can expect much better rates.

 

[TheLizardMan]

Yeah I knew that you where talking about Kbytes 😛

Just didnt know the connection went down that hard with walls in the way. Maybe if i brew up a ghetto coffie can attena you can get a better signal?

Thanks

 

[TheLizardMan]

btw i find it funny that a B wifi card cost as much as a router :?

I'm looking at the MA521.

 

[IceNineJon]

Yes and no...if you want your entire house covered, stay away from the Pringle's can/coffee can stuff. Those make the antenna unidirectional (ie. the signal is only sent in one direction). Generally, in your home, you want the router's signal and your wireless card's signal to go in multiple directions (the wireless card because the most effective route for the radio waves might not be in a straight line...they may be better off bouncing around). That said, the MR814's antenna can be unscrewed and replaced with a larger one if you want to buy a different one which should theoretically improve thoroughput.

I'd just get the router, get your NICs and see what you get and tweak from there. You never know until you hook it up 🙂

 

[IceNineJon]

Yeah, the cards can be as expensive, if not more than the routers. Go figure 🙂. My guess is that the cards actually have to process more data and interact with the computer whereas the router just sorts the data but I'm no electrical engineer/marketing guru.

Too bad the routers can't communicate or I'd just get two routers and run a CAT5 from one to my computer 🙂.

 

[JackMDS]

On Wireless:

802.11b vs. 802.11g.

For Internet surfing it does mot matter since Internet broadband connection is slower than 802.11b

For traffic across Internal LAN, 802.11g is significantly faster.

General Wireless info.

802.11b = 11Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)
802.11g = 54Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)

Wireless Ethernet needs additional protocol over head for the transfer. In addition, it is not as stable as Wired so it needs extra processing procedures.

As a result the 11Mb/sec. of the Network chipset is translated to a much lower actual performance. Usually 4-6Mb/sec.

Few 802.11b hardware units are also capable to work at 22Mb/sec.(usually referred to as b+) it is nice if it works, in real term will yield 20%-40% more than 11Mb/sec. systems.

The 802.11g line that is rated 54Mb/sec. in the real world it yields 18-22Mb/sec.

The differences between the first set of graphs to the second represent the performance differences between 802.11b to 802.11g

Link: 802.11a/b/g SOHO Routers & Access Points: Performance


The following collection of links might help.

Ignore the prices in the links bellow. The same or similar hardware can be found for 60%-90% less.

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

Link: Wireless Cable/DSL Router or Access Point - What should I get?

Link: Wireless Network - Configuration Modes.

Link: Wireless Security for the Home User.

Link: Wireless Network Troubleshooting,

Link: How do I use a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point?

What should I get.

Networking in General is no CPU OverClocking or "squeezing" few frames from a "puny" Video card, it is more complicated.

The number of variables that goes into the equation of each situation is so variant that it is impossible to give one rule of thumb.

If the Wireless Computer is going to be used in the vicinity of the Wireless Gateway, and you are going for 802.11b buy the cheapest you can find. You can get a Wireless Cable/DSL Router for about $29.99 + PCMCIA card for $9.99 (both after rebate).

Example:

Link: Barricade 11Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router with 4 Port. $29.99 (after rebate).

Link: EZ Connect 802.11b Wireless PCMCIA Network Adapter. $9.99 (after rebate).

If you go with 801.11g get a set from D-Link or Linksys. Both seem to be at the top of the current rather limited "crop" of 802.11g Entry Level hardware.

If you are going for 802.11b and long distance is a must, it is a very long story and I am not going to try analyzing it here.

 

[TheLizardMan]

that card looks like its for a laptop :?

anyway... its cheap. humm ill look for the pci version on that site.

 

[IceNineJon]

Yeah, the Netgear one you mentioned is for a laptop. You should also check out USB NICs. They have fairly long cables so you can place the unit much higher for better reception and further away from your computer/monitor to knock down on any EMI radiation.