Routers and PCMCIA cards

[havoc]

I’ve been thinking about setting up a wireless network for awhile now but don’t really know too much about what to buy. There is a Linksys router and a Linksys Wireless-G Notebook Adapter at future shop but I don't know if they are good. I'm looking for a setup that has a range of around 120 feet or more. Any testimonials for those linksys products or recommendations for others would be much appreciated.

 

[Master Yoda]

If you can, get your hands on the Netgear RangeMax Next gear. I only brough mine less than 24 hours ago and all I can say is that it works brilliantly!!

 

[Spartan Erik]

Well do you already have an access point? Assuming you do, I recommend Belkin based wireless USB adapters.. much easier than PCMCIA cards (I'm just too lazy to install the card; plugging in a USB into a port is so much simpler). I haven't used any Linksys products, but my friends say they are pretty good.

 

[Master Yoda]

I'm going off to buy a LinkSys modem shortly, so along with my Netgear router mentioned above, I think it make a really good combination.

 

[havoc]

I didn’t realize usb was easier, if that’s the case Ill definitely be looking into that! There was a 300Mbps Wireless Netgear RangeMax at compusmart but it was a tad bit on the pricey side.

Here is a little explanation on what I’d like to do. I have Westman Wave broadband connection hooked up to the computer I’m at now. We would like to be able to share our broadband connection and files between this computer and our laptop from various places in the house…and on the deck for that matter. I’d be able to do that with a Belkin based wireless USB adapters?

thanks for the recommendations guys


edit:
Is this like the Belkin based wireless USB adapters you were talking about Erik

 

[Master Yoda]

I know the RangeMax Next router is on the pricey side, but it is worth it, it has the latest technology and is the only router I have seen with 802.11n (Draft) technology, which allows files to be shared easily, and quickly. Within the next few months, all my computers will have RangeMax Next adapters so I can achieve the best preformance out of it.

 

[Spartan Erik]

I didn’t realize usb was easier, if that’s the case Ill definitely be looking into that! There was a 300Mbps Wireless Netgear RangeMax at compusmart but it was a tad bit on the pricey side.

Here is a little explanation on what I’d like to do. I have Westman Wave broadband connection hooked up to the computer I’m at now. We would like to be able to share our broadband connection and files between this computer and our laptop from various places in the house…and on the deck for that matter. I’d be able to do that with a Belkin based wireless USB adapters?

thanks for the recommendations guys


edit:
Is this like the Belkin based wireless USB adapters you were talking about Erik

Well make sure that you have an access point/gateway and not a single DSL modem for your computer.. if you have only a single modem that doesn't give off any WiFi signal then you can't do any wireless networking.. make 100% sure that you have an access point/gateway type of modem that gives off WiFi signals.

Yes, as long as you don't have too much interference (2.4 GHz wireless phones, large metal cabinets, etc) it should work fine. To give you some perspective, our gateway/access point is located on one side of our house, and the computers at the other side of the house receive a Good/Low connection (only .1 or .2 mbps slower than being wired to the gateway)

You don't need to purchase an expensive one either.. unless of course you have some EXTREMELY FAST DSL; right now the two wireless USB adapters I have are 802.11b's that can run at max of I believe 11 mbps. Doesn't matter since my DSL only goes up to 3 mbps anyways; just get what you need, nothing in excess

 

[lfnet]

Just stay away from the MR814 Netgear series of wifi routers
It worked well...for about 72 hours.
Then, for around 4 months, wifi would stop working sporadically, and rarely, even ethernet stopped working. I had to reset my router and my cable modem in these cases.

I'd personally get an Orinoco Gold card, but then, you weren't planning to build a Pringles can antenna w/ 1 mi+ range, were you? Didn't think so...

 

[Spartan Erik]

Just stay away from the MR814 Netgear series of wifi routers
It worked well...for about 72 hours.
Then, for around 4 months, wifi would stop working sporadically, and rarely, even ethernet stopped working. I had to reset my router and my cable modem in these cases.

I'd personally get an Orinoco Gold card, but then, you weren't planning to build a Pringles can antenna w/ 1 mi+ range, were you? Didn't think so...

That reminds me; a LONG time ago I purchased a Netgear USB adapter.. must have been the worst I've ever used.. horrible reception..

 

[havoc]

Well make sure that you have an access point/gateway and not a single DSL modem for your computer.. if you have only a single modem that doesn't give off any WiFi signal then you can't do any wireless networking.. make 100% sure that you have an access point/gateway type of modem that gives off WiFi signals.

Yes, as long as you don't have too much interference (2.4 GHz wireless phones, large metal cabinets, etc) it should work fine. To give you some perspective, our gateway/access point is located on one side of our house, and the computers at the other side of the house receive a Good/Low connection (only .1 or .2 mbps slower than being wired to the gateway)

You don't need to purchase an expensive one either.. unless of course you have some EXTREMELY FAST DSL; right now the two wireless USB adapters I have are 802.11b's that can run at max of I believe 11 mbps. Doesn't matter since my DSL only goes up to 3 mbps anyways; just get what you need, nothing in excess

This is our ISP. It is just one cable modem we have and I don't remember seeing anything about the modem giving off wifi anywhere. I tried to call and ask about it but there is nobody there this late on the weekend. I did find this in the FAQ though

Our cable modems allow for up to 16 computers to connect to the modem and the Internet at the same time, using a hub (available for $50.00 from WCG) to split the connection. A one-time reprogramming fee of $10.00 applies plus $5.00 per month per computer. The reprogramming fee is waived if additional computer connections are done at the time of the original installation.

Am I correct in assuming that if I bought a router it would act a the hub thus not requiring their hub?

 

[Chris Z]

idk about that network card that you mentioned first, but we have a dlink router on the second floor and then we have a linksys wusb11 (external antenna) and that's in the basement, it works just great with "very good"-"excellent" connection, so i'd recommend getting one with an external antenna, although one with an internal antenna would probably work just fine for your needs