Q: I am looking at setting up one, maybe two wireless networks in the near future, so Im looking for equipment reccomendations. Any suggestions? Something that I should just flat-out avoid? If it helps any, on the one network I already have a Linksys 4-port wired router, the second network from scratch, I will. Also, a wireless network fast enough to use a webcam? Just curious, but I would so.
One last thing: I work at a store that Microsoft wireless networking, which I can buy at a discount sale. This would probably be the cheapest solution. Is this stuff good? Oh, and a single router / access point is powerful enough to provide access for a two-story house? Or somewhere I need a signal booster?
Nate
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Way to go guy, let us know how it goes.
I got a bunch of D-link wireless stuff recently and it works like a champ.
So far so good 
The connection seems a little flaky with my linksys laptop card, but then I was in the farthest part of the house from the router & one floor up. It connected OK; the speed just fluctuated quite a bit. It would swing all the way from 11Mbps to 1Mbps, and everything in between.
Any tips on where the router should be placed? just curious. It's sitting on my desk right now, against the wall & with shelves around it. Doesn't seem to effect the signal too much though.
Nate
Re:Way to go guy, let us know how it goes.
I got a bunch of D-link wireless stuff recently and it works like a champ.
Re:Well, I went out yesterday and got what I needed. CompUSA and Officemax both have sales this week on D-link stuff; this turned out to be the cheapest way to go wireless. Here's what I got:
DI-614+ router (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=20)
DWL-520+ PCI wireless NIC (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=24)
The router was 69.99+ tax, and had a $20MIR from Officemax; the network cards are $39.99 each at CompUSA (Or, take the CompUSA ad into Officemax & have them match it: 39.99-15% of difference ($1.50)= $37.50 – $10 MIR = $27.49 each. Thanks for the help!
Nate
Re:Originally posted by: guy
"and then everybody else re-badges them. But only one?"
No.
I didn't think so, but I was curious anyway.
Re:"and then everybody else re-badges them. But only one?"
No.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
I agree Cisco is the best, but if you want consumer level stuff just get what's the cheapest. Since DLink is the only company that makes their own hardware, everyone else (Linksys, Microsoft, etc) uses DLink internals in their stuff. So it's all the same basically. Only real differences will be warranty and support.
really? that's interesting. I know a lot of times that there are only a few companies that make a given thing, and then everybody else re-badges them. But only one?
Nate
Re:I agree Cisco is the best, but if you want consumer level stuff just get what's the cheapest. Since DLink is the only company that makes their own hardware, everyone else (Linksys, Microsoft, etc) uses DLink internals in their stuff. So it's all the same basically. Only real differences will be warranty and support.
Re:Cisco cisco Cisco!
They have the best units out there…hands down no one can touch them.
If you intend to use WEP and want to keep your bandwith then get a 1200 or 1100 series AP. No one elses can handle the overhead like these units.
Second in line would be Proxim (Orinoco) gear. They have agreat line for low $$. Most of their cards are (or were) 30mw so you dont get as much distance out of them as the 100mw Cisco cards.
Re:I think I'm going to pick up a Microsoft router at work tommorow and test it; I can get one for about $54 before tax. At least I'll be able to see if it will work. If not, back it goes, and I'll stick with the wired network, at least in this house.
Nate
Re:Due you know the price of the Proxim 802.11g Access Point?
Does Proxim even have any entry-level 802.11g APs available yet? I see the upper-level stuff, as well as the b/g adapters, but that's it.
Re:I just installed Wireless equipment today for the first time and will never go back to wires. For the past few years after trying all the different Brands of wired equipment I settled on D-Link products as they always installed perfectly and have worked flawlessly so I went and got the D-Link Tri-Band Multimode DWL-520A PCI Adapters with the external antennas for 3 machines and picked up the DWL 6000AP Wireless Access Point to connect to the DSL Modem. It all worked straight out of the box with no less than 36 Meg connection on the farthest machine which was on the other side of the building which was a 1800's house with thick wood and plaster walls converted to an Office. The signal was still 40% across the about 100 ft span through the walls, desks, book cases etc.
I am so impressed with the performance, opening documents across the machines seemed at least as fast if not faster than wired as well as Internet surfing including streaming Video, absolutely awesome.
This equipment runs at both the 5 GHZ band and 2.4 GHZ band at the same time. The 80% signal between two machines in the same Office room area run at a constant 54 Meg. Next I will be connecting a Wireless Adapter to the Canon High Speed Printer/Copier and linking the Office across the street with another 6000AP.
Re:After doing a little more shopping, I found that I could get either a Linksys or Microsoft 802.11b router/AP for $60; the individual cards/adaptors (notebook, PCI, or USB) were about the same, or a little more.
Once again, thanks for all the help!
guy –
The school didn't say anything specific, in fact the network admin himself told me that I should be able to use any 802.11b card. So I bought what at the time was the cheapest: a Linksys Instant Wireless network PC Card – model no. WPC11, version 3.
Nate
Re:One thing I did notice though is that all the 802.11b routers/APs that I saw this morning (went to CompUSA) say 2.4GHz. I realize that this is just the transmitting frequency, and isn't all that important, but I was still wondering something. Will the Linksys wireless card I bought last summer to use at school (not a 2.4GHz card) still work on one of these? My guess would be yes, but I want to make sure. 2.4ghz is the frequency 802.11b runs on, if your school had you buy a network card for a different type of network (even if its 2.4ghz but a alvarion fhss network) it will not work with this equipment. Your card must be capable of transmitting in the same frequency. What card do you have?
Ahhh missed linksys, as jack said its probably 2.4ghz dsss and will work
Re:Your Linksys card is probably 802.11b card that will work with any standard Access point.
For Normal Wireless operation.
Link: Barricade 11Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router with 4 Port. $29.99 (after rebate). (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0128668)
Link: EZ Connect 802.11b Wireless PCMCIA Network Adapter. $9.99 (after rebate). (http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0159213)
General Wireless info.
802.11b = 11Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)
802.11g = 55Mb/sec. Network "Speed" (Carrier transmission 2.4GHz)
Wireless Ethernet needs additional protocol over head for the transfer. In addition, it is not as stable as Wired so it needs extra processing procedures.
As a result the 11Mb/sec. of the Network chipset is translated to a much lower actual performance. Usually 4-6Mb/sec.
Few 802.11b hardware units are also capable to work at 22Mb/sec. it is nice, but in real term will yield only 20% more than 11Mb/sec. systems.
The 802.11g line that is rated 55Mb/sec. yields 18-22Mb/sec.
The following collection of links might help.
Link: AnandTech – FAQ. What do I need for wireless Networking? (http://www.{$MySite}/guides/viewfaq.html?i=122)
Link: Wireless Cable/DSL Router or Access Point – What should I get? (http://www.ezlan.net/APvsRoute.html)
Link: Wireless What Should I Get? (http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Hardware.html)
Link: Wireless Network – Configuration Modes. (http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html)
Link: Wireless Security for the Home User. (http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html)
Link: Wireless Network Troubleshooting, (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/support/troubleshoot_wireless.htm)
Link: How do I use a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point? (http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html)
Re:Thanks for the info, everybody. This will most likely be just a plain old 802.11b (11Mbps) network; I don't plan on having any heavy network traffic – mostly just internet access – and I'm trying to keep costs down.
One thing I did notice though is that all the 802.11b routers/APs that I saw this morning (went to CompUSA) say 2.4GHz. I realize that this is just the transmitting frequency, and isn't all that important, but I was still wondering something. Will the Linksys wireless card I bought last summer to use at school (not a 2.4GHz card) still work on one of these? My guess would be yes, but I want to make sure.
Nate
Re:Originally posted by: guyIs this assertion based on comparison with the Proxim 802.11b/g adapter also?
No, the Proxim 802.11g is not part of the Mix.
Due you know the price of the Proxim 802.11g Access Point?
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Currently (July 2003).
802.11g = D-Link, or Linksys.
Is this assertion based on comparison with the Proxim 802.11b/g adapter also?
Re:Currently (July 2003).
802.11b = Orinoco (Proxim) line.
802.11g = D-Link, or Linksys.
Re:Who makes good consumer-level wireless equipment? Which cat's litter box smells the best?
At that level just get whatever brand you like best. I like linksys for cheap stuff, but everyone has their own favorite? Orinoco/Proxim/Lucent/Aegree/whatever makes the best cheap gear but they're still more expensive than your average consumer stuff.
Depending on the size of the house, its construction, the quality of your client card, and the AP's location one AP might cover it.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Best stuff is probably Cisco. But you'll pay for it too
guy
Perhaps I should rephrase my question, then 
Who makes good consumer-level wireless equipment?
Thanks for the advice!
Nate
Re:I've never really had any problems with D-Link. But I wouldn't necessary say that they are the best. They are easy enough to use.
Re:Best stuff is probably Cisco. But you'll pay for it too
Next to that, ORiNOCO stuff is pretty damn good I have heard good things about the Microsoft stuff, but that might have just been the price 
I should think that a single AP will be OK for a 2 story house, providing the walls aren't too thick and there's not too many of them
Some others can give you some links and more (and probably better!) advice
guy
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