OT: Thinking of going wireless, suggestions?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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OT: Thinking of going wireless, suggestions?
Thinking about getting a Linksys Wireless Access Point (WAP11) to tie into my current hub(100/10MB), and then a Linksys wireless network PC Card (WPC11) for the laptop.
Questions:
1 - I assume I only need a WAP if connecting to an existing hub/network? The hub runs my 100MB home network. For Internet access via cable modem, I have a system set up with Win98 ICS that acts as gateway to Internet.
2 - I was thinking of maybe getting a USB wirless network adaptor instead of PC card as it would be easily moveable to a desktop should I want. Anyone using a USB adaptor?
3 - Biggest concern: How well does this go through walls/floors? My network is upstairs, I'd probably be wireless downstairs and outside. Probably no more than 100ft from the WAP, but it would need to go through 1 floor and a few walls.
Questions:
1 - I assume I only need a WAP if connecting to an existing hub/network? The hub runs my 100MB home network. For Internet access via cable modem, I have a system set up with Win98 ICS that acts as gateway to Internet.
2 - I was thinking of maybe getting a USB wirless network adaptor instead of PC card as it would be easily moveable to a desktop should I want. Anyone using a USB adaptor?
3 - Biggest concern: How well does this go through walls/floors? My network is upstairs, I'd probably be wireless downstairs and outside. Probably no more than 100ft from the WAP, but it would need to go through 1 floor and a few walls.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
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I bought the Intel USB wireless, and the matching pc card for my laptop. Works great, the
maximum distance I've been from the transmitter is about 45 feet, and through a couple of walls.
The Intel piece is about the size of a cassette (remember cassettes? or should I use a mor contemporary analogy? I know, it's about the size of 2 Zip drive cases, how's that?), and it comes with a long enough cord, so I put it high up on a bookshelf so it's inconspicuous yet offers good signal quality.
Software was a breeze, and I had the pc and my laptop up and running in less than an hour. I love it since I have DSL, and now I don't have to be stuck surfing only from the pc. The whole thing cost about $250 for the transmitter and the pc card.
The Intel piece is about the size of a cassette (remember cassettes? or should I use a mor contemporary analogy? I know, it's about the size of 2 Zip drive cases, how's that?), and it comes with a long enough cord, so I put it high up on a bookshelf so it's inconspicuous yet offers good signal quality.
Software was a breeze, and I had the pc and my laptop up and running in less than an hour. I love it since I have DSL, and now I don't have to be stuck surfing only from the pc. The whole thing cost about $250 for the transmitter and the pc card.
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Joined: Feb 2001
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stay away from linksys
with a decent AP you should be fine (may have to fine tune location a bit) I am have the same setup as you (computer room is upstairs and I wanted access on the back deck and the TV room).
Linksys stuff works great and has a nice interface - but I know of 7 units personally that have died after various amounts of time - annyoing to say the least. All of those units have been replaced by SMC units or D-Link stuff...The SMC has to be rebooted ever so often. The D-Link that I have is rock solid - but the range is not as good as the higher end stuff (CISCO or 3COM) but is 1.2 to 1.3 the price.
I have 6 SMC units and 2 3COMs deployed at work to cover our entire building - but once again the SMC's require a reboot every once in a while...
you are correct that you don't need anythign more than an AP if you have an existing hub/switch - but a hardware firewall/switch/DHCP server is nice to have...once again stay away form linksys. The netgear 4 port (model 314 i think) is solid and finally has a nice web interface.
as for NICS - I have a d-link that works fine - I have over 50 3COMs deployed at work - but the connector tends to be more fragile...havent played with USB ones yet but I know you can get one from compusa pretty cheap (i think its a d-link)
Linksys stuff works great and has a nice interface - but I know of 7 units personally that have died after various amounts of time - annyoing to say the least. All of those units have been replaced by SMC units or D-Link stuff...The SMC has to be rebooted ever so often. The D-Link that I have is rock solid - but the range is not as good as the higher end stuff (CISCO or 3COM) but is 1.2 to 1.3 the price.
I have 6 SMC units and 2 3COMs deployed at work to cover our entire building - but once again the SMC's require a reboot every once in a while...
you are correct that you don't need anythign more than an AP if you have an existing hub/switch - but a hardware firewall/switch/DHCP server is nice to have...once again stay away form linksys. The netgear 4 port (model 314 i think) is solid and finally has a nice web interface.
as for NICS - I have a d-link that works fine - I have over 50 3COMs deployed at work - but the connector tends to be more fragile...havent played with USB ones yet but I know you can get one from compusa pretty cheap (i think its a d-link)
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Linksys issues....my experience....>>
Brampton...I recently set up a Linksys wireless system, just like you are describing. When trying to set up the USB adapter in my sons computer nook, had lots of problems. Only 40 feet (max) distance but because of locations of the host system, there were about 6-7 partitions to go through. Could not get enough signal strength to operate. We had to hard wire that one. USB on the laptop, downstairs, 2 partitions to go through works fine.
Elder Member
Joined: Mar 2000
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I have those exact Linksys parts. I get good signal through 5 walls
House is ranch style, modern wood frame and drywall construction, 1700 sq feet.
I have had my WAP11 and WPC11 for 3 months. It works great and is a snap ( a real snap, not a LarryTT snap! LOL!) to set up. Every home is different, so buy from somewhere with a good return policy.
3 of my co-workers have the exact same setup and love it.
I have had my WAP11 and WPC11 for 3 months. It works great and is a snap ( a real snap, not a LarryTT snap! LOL!) to set up. Every home is different, so buy from somewhere with a good return policy.
3 of my co-workers have the exact same setup and love it.
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