wireless from wired? can it be done?

[paolow]

hi guys,
i currently have 3 xp machines all networked in a wired lan using a linksys router and its all hunky dory. on machine is mine, one is my dads and the other runs 24/7 as a file server that we access via remote desktop.
However, its becoming increasingly necessary to have other machines in the house and obviously its gonna be easier to have wireless, especially given that some machines will be here for a short while.
but, all my existing kit is wired. it wasnt cheap, it works and its fast and secure.
however, the thought occurred that it may be possible to stick a wireless nic into my server and use that to allow other machines to wirelessly connect to files/internet. its not set up as a server or anything, its just running xp pro. can it be done?
i have a feeling it can, but am i just setting myself up for all kinds of headaches?

[Jay-Aim]

just need a wireless router instead of your current one and plug existing connections into it

[paolow]

Jay-Aim said:

just need a wireless router instead of your current one and plug existing connections into it

but then id need a wireless router + 3 wireless nics. im trying to keep costs down
if the method above can work, all id need is one nic which would be a hell of a lot cheaper!
fair comment tho, it'd be easier that way!

[icamm]

You can get a wireless access port that just plugs into your current router. Or for a one box solution buy a wireless access port that also has some wired ports. Neither should much. If you have, or are thnking of ADSL it might be worth buying a wireless router with wired ports and a built in ADSL router.

[size13]

Most wireless routers have 4 ports for wired connections. The Linksys router I have does.

[tvrgit]

I have a normal wired router, with a main pc plugged into it. I also have a separate wireless access point plugged into one of the ports and 2 additional machines connect through that.

So a wireless access point will connect through your existing router.

[mindgam3]

I'm assuming you're just asking whether wired and wireless networks can mix? In which case, yes they can, very easily You just need a wireless router for your server which uses a network cable to conncet to your server and then wireless cards for any other pc's you want to connect...

[paolow]

thanks for all the help guys.
I seems to me that a perfect solution will be a wireless access point, bought off ebay and plugged straight into my router. simple, effective and pretty much trouble free!
pretty cheap too at <£20.
where would i be without ebay and ph?
thanks again.

[JonRB]

Yep. Wireless Access Point plugged straight into one of the RJ45 ports of your router (or in my case, an 8-port switch connected to my router) is the correct course of action.

The irony is that the Linksys 54g Wireless Access Point I bought cost almost as much as an all-in-one ADSL modem / Router / Wireless Access Point / firewall, but I figured that I have a working system and I want to add wireless to it, rather than throwing the whole lot away and starting again.