Wireless setup questions

[ike2010]

Hello. I would like to setup a wireless network at home. I currently use a cable modem with a Linksys router. I will have one wireless desktop, one wireless laptop, and one wired desktop. Here are my questions:

1. Should I purchase a wireless router or access point?

- I think I can get a router for cheaper (after rebates), but don't know if this will work since I would still need the wired router for one of the machines.

2. If I purchase a non-"Super" (i.e. non-proprietary) 802.11G router/ap can I purchase any brand cards for my computers that are 802.11G?

3. Is WAP the security feature I should be looking for, and what other features should I be looking for?

Thanks.

 

[bluntman]

1. Buying a wireless router would be the cheaper alternative than buying an AP. I went the other route and bought an AP instead of a router because I was concerned about the wireless coverage. Wireless routers still have about 4 ethernet ports on the rear to connect your wired computers.

2. "G" would still be the networking standard that the network card and router/AP are using you'll just be "stuck" at the 54mbps rate instead of the "Super" 100mbps rate. My AP is by D-Link which theoretically does "Extreme G" transfers of 100mbps, my laptop uses and Atheros (?) "G" card, but I'm happy at the standard "G" transfer rate.

3. WAP is a new, that's all I know.

Check out EzLAN.net for great wireless networking information!

 

[ike2010]

One more question:

I would like to purchase the Netgear WGT624 Super G 108 Mbps Wireless Router. However, I can only find PCMCIA cards for notebooks which I don't need. I only need a regular PCI card that will work with this router. Can anyone help? Thanks.


p.s. I didn't realize that wireless routers also had wired ports on the back. This will allow me to ditch my old router.

 

[JackMDS]

Any 802.11b PCI will work with this Router.

Any 802.11g PCI will work with this Router

However if you had the SuperG Router you would need a SuperG Netgear Card to get the extra Speed.