Wireless Question

[gecko]

I am using a wired LAN now and want to convert to wireless so my
children can use my network from their laptops when they visit. This
seems to be something they really want to be able to do so they can do
business here as they do at home. New world for me.

Anyway, I would like to know:

1) Should I get a 'Wireless G' or 'Wireless N' router? Which
brand/model has proven the best?

2) My two desktops will need a network card. Which brand/model has
proven the best? Should they be the SAME company as the router so as
to eliminate problems?

3) I have a HP network-capable 7280 AIO. It is connected to my
present router via CAT5. How would I connect it to a wireless router?
4) My present router connects to my external modem via CAT5. How
would I connect that modem to a wireless router?

5) Maybe wireless routers have cat5 ports? That would solver
questions 3 & 4. For that matter, I then could do what I can do now -
connect up additional desktops (that are not wireless), when needed.

Please over-look my dumb questions. I would try to google for all
this, but I am too sick to stay at my desktop for very long periods
and have to remove myself to a hospital repeatedly right now. So I am
hoping someone can give me some answers so that in a few weeks when I
am supposed to recover, I can make some moves.

I will be eternally grateful.

-GECKO

 

[Big_Al]

I am using a wired LAN now and want to convert to wireless so my
children can use my network from their laptops when they visit. This
seems to be something they really want to be able to do so they can do
business here as they do at home. New world for me.

Anyway, I would like to know:

1) Should I get a 'Wireless G' or 'Wireless N' router? Which
brand/model has proven the best?

G is more compatible right now.

2) My two desktops will need a network card. Which brand/model has
proven the best? Should they be the SAME company as the router so as
to eliminate problems?

Leave them wired. You can mix.

3) I have a HP network-capable 7280 AIO. It is connected to my
present router via CAT5. How would I connect it to a wireless router?

Again, leave it alone.

4) My present router connects to my external modem via CAT5. How
would I connect that modem to a wireless router?

You don't say, but if you just have a wired router, just replace it with
a wireless router. Most Wireless routers allow at least 4 wired devices.

 

[Mike Walsh]

I am using a wired LAN now and want to convert to wireless so my
children can use my network from their laptops when they visit. This
seems to be something they really want to be able to do so they can do
business here as they do at home. New world for me.

Anyway, I would like to know:

1) Should I get a 'Wireless G' or 'Wireless N' router? Which
brand/model has proven the best?

You don't need wireless N. Even wireless B is fast enough for internet access.
My first home router was a D-Link, which was so bad that I replaced it with a Buffalo router. The Buffalo router has worked flawlessly, but they are no longer sold in the US. My second choice is Linksys.

2) My two desktops will need a network card. Which brand/model has
proven the best? Should they be the SAME company as the router so as
to eliminate problems?

You can mix different brands. The only compatibility problems I have had is getting WPA encryption to work. I have set up several wireless networks with 64 bit WEP encryptions so that they will work with any laptop.

3) I have a HP network-capable 7280 AIO. It is connected to my
present router via CAT5. How would I connect it to a wireless router?
4) My present router connects to my external modem via CAT5. How
would I connect that modem to a wireless router?

5) Maybe wireless routers have cat5 ports? That would solver
questions 3 & 4. For that matter, I then could do what I can do now -
connect up additional desktops (that are not wireless), when needed.

Almost all routers designed for home or small business use have a switch with four CAT5 ports.

 

[gecko]

My first home router was a D-Link, which was so bad that I replaced it with a Buffalo router. The Buffalo router has worked flawlessly, but they are no longer sold in the US. My second choice is Linksys.

The router seems to be under litigation currently.

-GECKO

 

[GT]

You don't need wireless N. Even wireless B is fast enough for internet
access.

That isn't stricktly true - rather depends on your internet connection. I
have 'B' here and my laptop download speed is about half of my wired desktop
PC. That is over a 5Mb (max 8) broadband connection. So I would say that 'B'
is only fast enough for about 2Mb internet. Perhaps that would be ok
though - personal choice.

 

[GT]

There are too many new N models for most of us to know what
is inherantly "best", though you might read some customer
reviews of the models offered at Newegg.com.

Although the new Centrino 2 setup requires one of 4 types of 'N' wireless,
so I would tend to pick one of those if going for N. Also - make sure the
router and card are from the same company or even in the same bundle for
maximum compatability.

 

[gecko]

Although the new Centrino 2 setup requires one of 4 types of 'N' wireless,
so I would tend to pick one of those if going for N. Also - make sure the
router and card are from the same company or even in the same bundle for
maximum compatability.

Thanks for all the information guys. I read all, and need to decide
exactly what to do/buy.

I am returning to the hospital now - for a week or so. Hope I can
implement some of your ideas then.

Sayonara.

-GECKO

 

[Mike Walsh]

That isn't stricktly true - rather depends on your internet connection. I
have 'B' here and my laptop download speed is about half of my wired desktop
PC. That is over a 5Mb (max 8) broadband connection. So I would say that 'B'
is only fast enough for about 2Mb internet. Perhaps that would be ok
though - personal choice.

With a good wireless B connection you should get about 5 Mb/sec. That is about twice the speed you will get from a single server with the ISPs in my area, so even a mediocre B connection is adequate here.