Help, do I need a wireless router?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TW
  • Start date Start date
T

TW

Ok, I am buying a notebook with has wifi capabilities.
and I have a wired router and my desktop,

I want to use the notebook to surf the web.
can i just buy one those wireless adapter for the desktop
and connect to the notebook? or do I have to buy a wireless
router?

Thanks for your help.
 
You can connect them in ad-hoc mode without a router but this is a lot
slower as it will only give you 3000kbit/s either upstream or downstream
(approx 40Mb/min) (11mbit connection) if that's faster than your internet
access speed then there's no need for a router unless you want to transfer
files between machines at 5x the speed.
"Ad-Hoc" is the alternative to "infrastructure" wireless mode which permits
you to use the cards without a router.
cb
 
Probably the simplest method is to buy a wireless access point, which will
plug into your existing router and transmit wirelessly to your notebook or
any other wireless devices you should get
 
Ok, I am buying a notebook with has wifi capabilities.
and I have a wired router and my desktop,

I want to use the notebook to surf the web.
can i just buy one those wireless adapter for the desktop
and connect to the notebook?
Click to expand...

Yes you could, but would also need use ICS, Internet
Connection Sharing ( or another NAT or Proxy software
instead) running on the desktop and set the notebook to use
the desktop's IP addy as the gateway.

or do I have to buy a wireless
router?
Click to expand...

That'd work too, might give you better range (as routers
generally have better range than cards), eliminates the need
for the desktop system to run connection software or even be
turned on. Using a wireless router is the better of the two
options, or using a wireless access point instead.

Many (perhaps most now) wifi routers will also work as an
access point now without the need to have it doing the
routing. This means you could add it alongside your
existing router without having to reconfigure it to route,
OR that you could run network cable from the existing router
to the newly purchased [access point or wireless router] to
place this wireless base in a strategic location to maximize
the range, speed, and consistency of the connection to the
laptop.
 
Ok, I am buying a notebook with has wifi capabilities.
and I have a wired router and my desktop,

I want to use the notebook to surf the web.
can i just buy one those wireless adapter for the desktop
and connect to the notebook? or do I have to buy a wireless
router?

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Wireless routers are pretty cheap. Don't bother putting a wireless adapter
into your desktop, just replace your router.
 
That'd work too, might give you better range (as routers
generally have better range than cards),
Click to expand...

Agree with your other points, but the range of the access point is
irrelevant, because the range will be limited by the card in the notebook.
 
Agree with your other points, but the range of the access point is
irrelevant, because the range will be limited by the card in the notebook.
Click to expand...

Often untrue. The router and/or access points typically
have better TX/RX which still improves range... often not AS
much as a different type of notebook adapter but still an
improvement. If notebook TX strength is low, other end
picks it up better. If notebook RX is low, maximizing
signal strength from other end helps.

his is classically seen when corporations add additional
access points to expand coverage areas for the same (static)
client adapters. Certainly additional access point devices
have more benefit but getting best result out of the first
one is of utmost importance to those who will only have one.
 
General Schvantzkoph said:
Wireless routers are pretty cheap. Don't bother putting a wireless
adapter
into your desktop, just replace your router.
Click to expand...

I agree but would take it one step farther. If you are going to shell
out for a wireless router then go the rest of the way and get a wireless
router/modem combination. That way you have fewer cables, power
adapters plugged in and fewer boxes on the desktop. Mine is a Westel
and I love it.
 
TW said:
Ok, I am buying a notebook with has wifi capabilities.
and I have a wired router and my desktop,

I want to use the notebook to surf the web.
can i just buy one those wireless adapter for the desktop
and connect to the notebook? or do I have to buy a wireless
router?

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...


Depending on the distance from the 802.11g router and the amount of noise in
the 2.4GHz band, speeds and range may vary. Cordless telephones, microwave
ovens, and other routers are three examples. Security concerns are another
reason to carefully weigh the pros and cons of wireless.
 
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