have we got a network wizard?

[nighthawkEP3]

I'm going to get my Pc and laptop on the net using wireless networking.

At the moment I use a ADSL USB modem on my pc which has to go in favor of the network stuff.

I sort of think I need to get a

PCMICA wifi card for the laptop
Wireless ADSL modem/router
Network card for my PC with a cat5 patch cable.

BUT can I hard wire the PC to the router using a normal cheap NIC and just let the lappy use the wifi, or will both the PC and the lappy need to be wifi.

I don't want the main PC on if the the lappy is being used but should the need arise, i'd like to be in a position where both machines can access the internet at the same time.

Has anyone done this?

Or does anyone know the best places to get decent kit from?

[TheHobbit]

if your adsl router has wireless built in, it will probably have at least 1 ethernet port, if not a built in hub/switch. if this is the case, you will be able to access the 'net on the lappy via wifi, and the pc can use ethernet, and they will both work independantly of each other.

what adsl router are you thinking of?

hope this helps

karl

[nighthawkEP3]

Thanks for the quick reply

I haven't made a firm choice as to what kit i go with, but this is looking like being a contender.

"Operating at wireless speeds up to 54Mbps, the ADSL Modem with Built- In Wireless Router operates on the 802.11g wireless Ethernet standard. This standard is backward-compatible, so you can use it in combination with existing 802.11b Wi-Fi networks. Your Modem-Router also features an integrated 4-port 10/100Base-Tx Ethernet switch so you can connect your wired computers easily."


After i've sorted out the main pieces, the pcmica card and the nic should be a breeze.

[TheHobbit]

That should do the job nicely.

Unless you are going to transfer lots of data between the PC and lappy, don't worry about paying the extra for a 54Mbps wifi card for the lappy, as your ADSL line will only be 2meg *max*...

[nighthawkEP3]

To be honest m8, i'd not even thought about the network side of things. I just want to be able to surf the net while downstairs or in the garden

The lack of cables across the lounge floor is a main priority though, or i'll be in bad books

Any recommendations for a decent card for the lappy and the pc?

[TheHobbit]

I can't afford the wifi stuff currently, so am in the bad books for having a cat-5 cable trailed around the house!

As for PCMCIA wifi cards, under windows you can buy just about any one that takes your fancy. I don't have one, but know people with DLink, Cisco, and have heard that the TDK cards are not bad. I'm sure people on here that do have first hand experience will be along shortly to post their recommendations.......

[nighthawkEP3]

TheHobbit said:

I can't afford the wifi stuff currently, so am in the bad books for having a cat-5 cable trailed around the house!

Hehehe, sounds like your in the same boat as me. I said i'm getting it....not that I could afford it The powers that be, won't find out the cost until after it's in place. :drevillaugh:

Thanks for the help so far m8

>> Edited by nighthawkEP3 on Sunday 18th January 19:02

>> Edited by nighthawkEP3 on Sunday 18th January 19:03

[fatsteve]

Sounds like you're on the right lines. Essentially you can do it all with 2 bits of kit; A DSL router/access point (with a build in switch - usually 4 port) + wifi card for the lappy.

Have a look at:

www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/

or

www.expansys.co.uk

I'm sure I've seen access point + wifi card packages available. You should be able to get an 11mbs setup for about £150 and 54mbs for just under £200. As always go for the best you can aford.

My recomendation would be:

www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=DSL-604GPLUS
and
www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=DWL-650PLUS&asource=D-LIN

Absolute piece of cake to set-up and if you ensure you stick to compatible D-link plus+ stuff then you can achive 22mbs.

Steve

[nighthawkEP3]

Thanks m8

For what i'll use this for, i don't think i'll approach 54mb levels, so i'm looking for the most reliable Vs least pounds.

I think the only reason i'd ever transfer files from one to the other is if I wanted to do a bit of editing on a photo.

This lappy is being bought for Photo storage and sat nav and random net surfing (slight possibility of being used for mobile dvd playback to to keep the wife quiet ). No work activities on this one.


As long as i have listed all the bits i'll need, i should be ok.

network card and cable
dsl router/modem with wifi
wifi pcimcia card

[TheHobbit]

I can also recommend eXpansys.... got my Ipaq from them... and when I get around to getting wifi stuff for home, that'll be where I get it from.....

[nighthawkEP3]

right then chaps

on the specs listed for each device, which one would your money go on?

www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=108159&asource=BELKI

or

www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=DSL-604GPLUS

Cost is almost the same.

[TheHobbit]

If you don't need the 54meg stuff, and 22 meg will do the job, then get the dlink kit. better support, better website for drivers etc, better kit IMHO.

[nighthawkEP3]

I think i'll go with the D-Link one.

More on the basis of looks

If i need massive transfer rates, it's not going to be a hassle to plug both into the 4 port switch and do it that way at 200mb.

Thanks for the replies and help. If you go to pistonfest I owe you a

[fatsteve]

Good choice,

I'm running the 604+ and it's a superb piece of kit. The security settings / config are excellent. As already correctly pointed out, the support / drivers are excellent.

Steve

[stevieb]

nighthawkEP3 said:

I think i'll go with the D-Link one. More on the basis of looks If i need massive transfer rates, it's not going to be a hassle to plug both into the 4 port switch and do it that way at 200mb. Thanks for the replies and help. If you go to pistonfest I owe you a

sorry for the late reply but try the buffalo router access point.

http://web6.scan.co.uk/Products/Info.asp?WPID=64206

I got this one and have had no probs withit so far been on for 3 months so far without a powerdown. plus you get the pcmcia card with it all for £106.

steve

[fatsteve]

stevieb said:

nighthawkEP3 said: I think i'll go with the D-Link one. More on the basis of looks If i need massive transfer rates, it's not going to be a hassle to plug both into the 4 port switch and do it that way at 200mb. Thanks for the replies and help. If you go to pistonfest I owe you a sorry for the late reply but try the buffalo router access point. http://web6.scan.co.uk/Products/Info.asp?WPID=64206 I got this one and have had no probs withit so far been on for 3 months so far without a powerdown. plus you get the pcmcia card with it all for £106. steve

Yes, these are excellent, although this model doesn't have the built in DSL modem so that's another £50.

[stevieb]

fatsteve said:

stevieb said: nighthawkEP3 said: I think i'll go with the D-Link one. More on the basis of looks If i need massive transfer rates, it's not going to be a hassle to plug both into the 4 port switch and do it that way at 200mb. Thanks for the replies and help. If you go to pistonfest I owe you a sorry for the late reply but try the buffalo router access point. <a href="http://web6.scan.co.uk/Products/Info.asp?WPID=64206">http://web6.scan.co.uk/Products/Info.asp?WPID=64206</a> I got this one and have had no probs withit so far been on for 3 months so far without a powerdown. plus you get the pcmcia card with it all for £106. steve Yes, these are excellent, although this model doesn't have the built in DSL modem so that's another £50.

K thought he had one already opps probably cause i was skipping through it a but.. If you have a ADSL modem you can plug it in the WAN port on the Buffalo.

But the Dlink is a good bit of kit had one at the office, but didnt like the config etc plus didnt work well with my firewall (user error probably)

Steve

[davidd]

I bought one of these in december

www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=55417

Very good bit of kit, 2 mins to get up and running.

If you need a card for the laptop what about a

www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=52627

All in for just over £150

D.

[ARCTURUS]

If you have a choice between Belkin & D-Link, then in my opinion there is no choice - go with the D-Link option. Better still, go with Netgear.

I install networks like you are descibing as part of my job and have used Belkin, Netgear and Linksys equipment in recent times.

Without exception, the Belkin equipment is the least reliable and least intuitive to set up - their software package needs a serious rewrite to make it easier for consumers to understand.

Netgear on the other hand, has proved to be very reliable, easy to set up and easy to administer and I now recommend Netgear to my customers every time.

They do exactly the product you need (DG834G - £137 from Insight) and as a bonus it also has a firewall built in to it.

Dave
Tenbury Computer Company

[nighthawkEP3]

Thanks for the replies guys and steveb thanks for the mail.

I do currently use an ADSL modem, but it's a usb device thats only on when the main PC is on. I want to be able to be able to surf the net from any point in the house via wireless technology without always having the main rig on. Hence the need for a modem/router.

My main PC is quite noisey, with it's multitude of fans and it's lit up like a christmas tree with some nice blue cold cathodes. So leaving it turned on isn't an option thats going down well with she who must be obeyed

I use sygate pro as a software firewall at the moment, but I'm sure a hardware based version will be better.

I'll check all the links a little later.


Thank you all