Wireless networking

[rogerdugans]

Has anyone been messing with wireless networking?

I've been following the technology since it came out and it looks like its getting to the point where it may be worth the investment.

In particular I like the idea of sitting in my yard while surfing or working on websites, etc., not to mention not having to run cables anymore!

Any info on compatibilty with Win2K and the hardware will help.

[trey_w]

i would wait a litlle until the new wireless standards are released to the public 802.11a,b,c,d,e,f,g

and a price drop

[Shadow ÒÓ]

it's crazy expensive but very nice. A typical cost for 2 systems will run around $400 USD.

[rogerdugans]

I am definitely going to be waiting a while as you suggest; just starting to research and thought I'd see if anyone has tried it out yet. I don't plan on taking a pc into the yard for a few months!

[SRB442]

I am running a SMC barricade wireless router with 3 pcs connected to it 1 on a T5 cable and 2 wireless. I like it the speed is good I can get on the web through my cable modem on all three machines at the same time. The cost was $187 for the router and $125 for each wireless card. It sure beat running wires from pc to pc up and down stairs. The set up was easy as I had never done this before. Steve

[donny_paycheck]

I tried it in my house here, it didn't work at all! The run I tried to make was only 80 feet too, and through nothing but drywall (no metal inside, either). I was using a Linksys gateway/switch/wireless access point combo. I exchanged the wireless card for a new one, nothing, then the wireless AP for a new one, still nothing. I shut off my 2.4ghz cordless phone, nothing! Then I plugged the wireless PC card into my laptop and moved slowly toward the wireless AP while I watched the S-meter on the laptop...it didn't lock to the channel until I was 30 feet away! We didn't have a leaky microwave oven running in the area or ANYTHING else that could cause interference. I've worked with radio equipment lots but I was stumped so it was back to good old UTP!

*edit-When working, it works awesome, but I had a bad experience with it....I hope you fare better than I when/if you do it.

[Fink]

Yea, range can be very poor. I had a similar experence to
donny_paycheck's - poor range.

The range was so bad that we had to buy another AP to cover the remainder of the house. Unlike
donny_paycheck, the house here is full of marble, granite, cement and the walls are plaster over wire, a real 2.4 GHz killer.

We found that by putting the AP's in either the subbasement or the attic, range could be greatly improved. Another way to improve range was to cut into the AP and replace the antennas with homebuilt ONMI's or Yagis. That was the best way to get great range - I can get my AP at 0.75 miles when the Yagi is on the AP.

My advice, spend a little extra and get an AP that will allow you to swap out the antenna easily. You can get a ton of info about Wireless at preacticallynetworked.com (http://www.practicallynetworked.com/) , including product reviews and user recommendations.

There is nothing like sitting next to the pool, drinking a margarita and surfing the web...

[nihili]

I've been running wireless on my laptop for a few months. I've got a Linksys Router/AP with a cable to my desktop and wireless to my laptop. By shopping around and buying open box, I got the PCMCIA card for 60 and the router/ap for 120.

Of course just about the time I got the wireless set up, the battery in my laptop started to give out. So I'm still tied to outlets. :(

As for range, I had the AP in a converted garage and was able to use the laptop anywhere in the house with no problems. The antenna's on this model look like they should swap out easily and setup was a breeze.

nihili

[donny_paycheck]

I wish they made repeaters for wireless networks. Then I'd go wireless with my laptop.

[rogerdugans]

I think I'll have to start putting a few buck away so I can get wireless for summer. If I was doing it now I think I'd go for the Linksys stuff, have to see whats out in a few months.

Thanks all.

[donny_paycheck]

Originally posted by rogerdugans
I think I'll have to start putting a few buck away so I can get wireless for summer. If I was doing it now I think I'd go for the Linksys stuff, have to see whats out in a few months.

Thanks all.

I used Linksys and I do with my 100BT network too. They make good equipment of both types and have pretty good tech support.

[WarriorII]

Got 1 here @ work. Put it in yesterday. The hardest part for me was configuring the software. ( I am not a "True" Geek) lol
Steve's system sounds a lot like ours here @ work. It works fine.... so far. ;) The net cards and wireless cards are simple.

Have 2 on a router and 3 on wireless.


:cool:

[rogerdugans]

Ok, got the laptop from work- boss was lazy so I get the new 1ghz Cellie! WOOHOO!

Now I need wireless! (I'm already too cold!)