View Full Version : Wireless Ethernet Networking?
Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm thinking of setting a computer up in my living room, and I don't wanna run wire to it, so I was gonna setup a wireless setup. But I'm not sure what all it entails. Does the wireless network go "Line-of-sight" or will it communicate through thing (such as my living room floor)? I've read it communicates on the 2.4GHz bandwidth, so it SHOULD work like a cordless phone, and work through walls, right? And as long as I don't OC my chip to 2.4GHz, I should be okay for interference (HAHAHA!). Also, what about speed? I've hear that wireless networks only run about 11Mb. Kinda slow, but acceptable. There's gotta SOME margin for error after all. And how easily will it integrate into my current network? Can I just use the wireless hub and uplink to my current wired hub? Can anyone shed some light on what I'm getting myself into?
Well, you would need 2 things, a gateway/router that's wireless and a PCI wireless card. I've set up wireless networks before and it's pretty seamless. I would recommend the smc barricade wireless gateway/switch/printserver that's going for about 150 now. It's a sweet deal. As far as wireless pci cards, any 802.11b card would work, I just haven't priced any out.
**edit**
Okay, I read the rest of your post and will answer your questions properly now. It does work the same as your phone, line of site is not needed, but helps. cement and steel are your enemies with wireless as you probably know.
I did some looking, and on pricewatch, found the Netgear WA301 PCI Wireless card for $130 or so, and the WE102 Wireless Bridge for about $170, which is cheaper than CompUSA had them. But CompUSA had some info about them. They do run off the 2.4GHz spectrum, and they'll transmit about 200 feet through floors and walls. So that's covered. They also only run about 11Mb. Which is tolerable for web surfing.
One question, Rugby: does the bridge attach to a port on my network switch, just like a PCI NIC would? I'm already using the uplink port for my DSL router, so I need that there.
Originally posted by rugby
I would recommend the smc barricade wireless gateway/switch/printserver that's going for about 150 now. It's a sweet deal.
Hmm, I can't find these for less than 189 on pricewatch. Got a link?
**edit**
Also, do you prefer these to the Linksys that seem to be about the same price?
nihili
I prefer netgear, but that's just because pretty much all my network equipment is netgear. I've never had problems with them.
Yeah, the bridge should attach to your switch. A bridge is actually a switch...er....a switch is actually many bridges. It should work fine.
Sweet. Now I just need some cash.
zoopa_man
10-04-01, 05:02 PM
Cash for you :D
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
We just got a bunch of wireless hookups for some lap top computers here at the college. I havn't gotten a chance to play with it very much but I think you'll be pleased. It's kind of neat.
One thing I did discover is the signal dosn't go through the college's concrete walls at all. Duh, but though I would point it out. ;) As for internet wise it's perfect and we can still use norton ghost to broadcast ghost immages it's just slower then the ethernet connections. I'll give you more details as soon as I get to play with it more. But the wireless connection is very neat for the laptops in our science lab. I can't get over grabing a computer and running around in circles while reading the forms. Here I go now weeeeeeeeee COOL :D enjoy.
Originally posted by nihili
Hmm, I can't find these for less than 189 on pricewatch. Got a link?
**edit**
Also, do you prefer these to the Linksys that seem to be about the same price?
nihili
Sorry, I didn't see this post until now. here's the scoop off of http://www.dealmac.com
SMC Wireless 4-port Cable/DSL Router for $152 Oct 2, 2001
Micro Center retail stores offer the SMC Barricade Wireless 4-port Cable/DSL Router, model no. SMC7004AWBR, for $151.99, as a reader found. That's $23 less than yesterday's mention at Amazon.com and the lowest price we've seen. Offer ends October 14.
Hmmm, nearest one is a three hour drive.
I happened on to a Linksys BEFW11S4 open box in Best Buy on sunday for 179, guess I'll keep it as it seems to be working. 6 hours of driving to save 30 bucks ain't even close to worth it.
Anyone know how good the Linksys is?
nihili
I've heard good things about the Linksys from a buddy of mine who works at Apple. He's got some G4's and some ibooks with airport wireless cards in them and everything works fine. Linksys makes good stuff.
smc is my fav you can get a wireless access point and a card for 300 dollars in a bundel i like netgear switches and cards but prefer smc for wireless and high end switches
Big_KiD
10-04-01, 10:59 PM
I am a wireless tech. And I don't know how deep your pockets are but there is wireless that will smoke 11MB.. (802.11a) ever heard of western multiplex? 40 MB wireless is here. How about Alvarion.. formerly Breezecom. If your looking for just simple intranet wirless you don't need to know about this.. I work for an ISP that provides wireless links to homes and buisness customers.. 384k up and down for $69.00
It's sweet.. check out lucent, teltronics for 802.11b stuff. it's fairly inexpensive when compared to Alvarion, Cisco,Western Multiplex. If you have any questions please feel free to message me. I have over 2 years experience with this subject and I am very willing to share my insight. Lucent Diamond cards are a very popular solution.. as for 200 ft.. I have a link up right now that's 15 miles and that's not uncommon..
I assume you're talking 69 per month for wireless or satellite ISP. The problem is that I'd still have to get multiple PCs hooked together. So that means at least two connections, probably 3, unless you're handing out multiple IPs at no extra charge it's starting to sound pretty pricey.
Also, can someone explain to me why 10 mbps isn't a lot more than 384 kbps? Is it the bit vs. baud distinction again?
nihili
Big_KiD
10-04-01, 11:23 PM
no i was wasn't talking INTRANET wireless.. sorry.. we provide a wireless connection from our building to the customer.. you only need one IP. then you use a dsl router. something like a Linksys or Netgear. for most home installs i use the ones with the 4 port switches built in. then u just run cat5 to you nic and it's done. Except for the config of the dsl router.. not to bad though..
Big_KiD
10-04-01, 11:26 PM
as for 10 MB or 384k yes 10 meg is a lot more but you find an isp that will give you a 10mb connection and then hire me to work for you please..
Originally posted by Big_KiD
I am a wireless tech. And I don't know how deep your pockets are but there is wireless that will smoke 11MB.. (802.11a) ever heard of western multiplex? 40 MB wireless is here. How about Alvarion.. formerly Breezecom. If your looking for just simple intranet wirless you don't need to know about this.. I work for an ISP that provides wireless links to homes and buisness customers.. 384k up and down for $69.00
It's sweet.. check out lucent, teltronics for 802.11b stuff. it's fairly inexpensive when compared to Alvarion, Cisco,Western Multiplex. If you have any questions please feel free to message me. I have over 2 years experience with this subject and I am very willing to share my insight. Lucent Diamond cards are a very popular solution.. as for 200 ft.. I have a link up right now that's 15 miles and that's not uncommon..
the problem with 802.11a is that it's NOT backwards compatible with 802.11b. It's just Intel forcing some incompatible crap down our throats and trying to make it standard. I don't know too many companies jumping on the a bandwagon.
correct me if i am wrong but the 40mbit is for point to point only what most home users want and need is point to multipoint
Big_KiD
10-06-01, 02:28 AM
what does intel have to do with 802.11a.. there are many companies working on this standard.. Wmux, alvairon.. Yes it is typically used for point to point. but there is nothing that says you can't through up an omni and use it for point to multipoint!
http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20010911net.htm
Intel has everything to do with 802.11a since they created it.
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