Re: wireless home networks - where to begin?

"Jon Enslin" <jenslin@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:1142349880.710559.52370@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:


dam wrote:
Pauli G wrote:
We just got cable internet yesterday on our desktop computer
(located in the basement). The wife has a laptop she uses for
work, and she needs to access the internet in order to use her
Citrix desktop from work. The cable guy was a little incoherent,
but he said something about me getting a wireless router, and then
the laptop can be used anywhere in the house and even outside on
the deck, etc. I haven't dealt with this sort of thing before, so
I'm wondering if you computer guys could help me - what
brand/model of router should I get? Will it work if it's in the
basement? Does it even need to be plugged into the computer, or
is it plugged into one of the cable jacks? Her laptop is a brand
new IBM ThinkPad, and has a wireless network card already in it.
Thanks in advance for any help.

I have my wireless router in my basement and it works fine all over
the house (i have a ranch-style home). I can sit out on the deck and
access the net without problems. I'm about 30 ft., two walls and a
floor from the router. Personally, I use Netgear products, have for
years and never had any problems. I have 4 PC's, a Mac, 2 printers,
an XBox and a NAS on my network and everything works fine. The added
benefit of a router is that it also acts as a hardware firewall and
every little bit helps. I use the wireless for my Ipaq and Sony
laptop. I have Netgears' WGU624 wireless router connected to the
cable modem and the router feeds a Netgear switch. Just make sure you
have your wireless secured to prevent wardriving or neighborhood
leeches. It degrades the throughput a bit, bu the piece of mind is
worth it.


I have my wireless in my basement, and I have no trouble in my two
story house getting a strong signal. I also get it out on the porch
just fine.

We have had the Playstation, the PC, and two wireless laptops running
at the same time without any performance problems whatsoever. My son
also uses it for his PSP which works throughout the house.

Mine is a D-Link. I just went to Best Buy, got a pretty powerful one
that had a mail in rebate, and set it up (with a WEP key) and havn't
had any problems since.

I would strongly suggest you convert to a WPA security protocol from WEP.

MH

--
Ten of Spades
Aggee Fedayeen Chief
Supreme Ruler of the Obvious
RSFC Rookie of the Year 2005

"We just got outplayed today. That's the bottom line. And we got
outcoached."
- OU Head Coach Bob Stoops following the Texas A&M game, Nov 9, 2002
.

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