Trying to add more computer to wireless network

[Beavis]

I want to add more computers to my network but not quite sure what I need to buy. I got a wireless router (Netgear MR314) and a wireless adapter (Netgear MA101) so far. I want to put some computers on the other side of my house all together, do I get a wireless access point and a switch for these computers? Is this the way it's supposed to look, forgive my painting skills.

[Fightingpiper]

I see you could do it a couple of different ways...1> get wireless cards for each computer. Probably bout 20 bux apiece. OR ive seen those little thumb USB wireless adapters for as little as 10 bux after rebate.

2. get a wireless bridge for the the other computers. You can then run a switch off the bridge and and use Cat5 cable from the switch to the computers.

3. get a wireless card and a regular nic ffor one of the 1-3 computers. Make sure this computer has Windows XP and is on all the time. Use Xp's Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). Run Cat 5 cable from Regular nic to switch and out to other 2 computers.

All in all I bet it will run you about the same amount of money for each way you could do it, so I would just go with getting wireless cards in each computer........

[FunkDaMonkMan]

I would probably get wireless cards for each computer because this will give you the most flexibility, and access points are fairly expensive.

If you planned on adding 5 or more computers in one room, I might go with the wireless access point idea; however, all computers sharing that access point will be sharing 54mbits (max) bandwith. If each computer had its own card, they would all have 54mbits each.

[Beavis]

Hmmm, I think I like the access point idea all though I'm going with separate wireless adapters instead. I work on different computers alot and I like the idea of simply plugging an extra computer to a switch rather than hooking up a wireless card and configuring it for each computer. However, since all the computers on the access point will be sharing the same signal I'll go with separate wireless cards for each. Thanks yall that was very helpful.