Home Wireless Network Question

sooner333 · 01-09-2005, 01:12 PM

Well, I'm transferring schools and instead of living on-campus with ethernet ports coming out of my ass, I'm moving in with a buddy in an off-campus place. He's already lived there for awhile, and he has cable internet. He has a desktop and just his computer plugged into the modem. I, on the other hand, have a laptop that I'd like to use in more than one place in the house (plus an Xbox for internet play). So, I've decided to get a wireless network for the house (and for later when I move out eventually).

Now, the problem is that I really don't know much about them other than they exist and I know a couple of people with them at their apartments and such. I know there are various speeds associated with the networks and for a higher transfer you need to spend more money. I don't know what is or isn't necessary for cable internet. I am a college student, so I am on a budget, but at the same time, I have some Christmas money left and I might as well make it right as I will be living with this connection for awhile.

So if any of you have any advice on what kind of product to get, etc. please let me know. Thanks guys.

Sun Tzu · 01-09-2005, 01:29 PM

Grab the following.

Linksys Wireless G router
Linksys Wireless G PCM card (if it's not already integrated into your laptop)

That's it.

Eaglesfan27 · 01-09-2005, 01:39 PM

You'd also need a wireless receiver for your X-Box. That would be a very nice setup, but more expensive than the 802.11b router, 802.11b Card for your laptop. However, if you can afford it, I do recommend the 802.11g as Sun Tzy mentioned.

Tasan · 01-09-2005, 01:43 PM

Don't just grab the standard G, either get the a/g or super G because the range is a little iffy on b/g. I have a decent sized house and I couldn't get reception very good in certain places of the house. Super G and A/G both have greater range than just standard G.

Airhog · 01-09-2005, 02:50 PM

you roommate will also need a wireless card.

cthomer5000 · 01-09-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airhog

you roommate will also need a wireless card.

He can always just plug into the router. He doesn't need a wireless card.

Honolulu_Blue · 01-09-2005, 02:54 PM

Is there way to get a router that provides both wireless connection and connection via a cable?

I am about to move into a new place. My PC doesn't have a wireless card, but I plan to get a card for my laptop or use my work laptop (which already has an intergrated wireless card) at home.

Tasan · 01-09-2005, 03:06 PM

Most wireless routers have at least 4 "wired" ports on them in addition to the wireless connectivity. I know that this is the case for Linksys, Netgear, and DLink, imho the best home user routers out there.

cthomer5000 · 01-09-2005, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasan

Most wireless routers have at least 4 "wired" ports on them in addition to the wireless connectivity. I know that this is the case for Linksys, Netgear, and DLink, imho the best home user routers out there.

Yep. Belkin as well.

A wireless router is basically a router + wireless capabilities. So it's probably a good investment if you think you'll go wireless with a machine at some point.

Airhog · 01-09-2005, 03:40 PM

u learn something every day

sooner333 · 01-10-2005, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

You'd also need a wireless receiver for your X-Box. That would be a very nice setup, but more expensive than the 802.11b router, 802.11b Card for your laptop. However, if you can afford it, I do recommend the 802.11g as Sun Tzy mentioned.

So if I want to get a wireless reciever for my Xbox I need to get the "g" card? Or do I just need to get something additional from Microsoft?

Also, I doubt range will be a huge issue because the house I'm in isn't enormous, plus I will be only be using essentially 1/2 to 2/3 of the length of the house anyway. So, I imagine the regular g card would be okay.

One last thing...what exactly is the difference between the b and the g?

Sun Tzu · 01-10-2005, 12:07 PM

Wireless B has very poor range, the connection tends to drop much moreso than the others, and it tops out at 11MBps.

Wireless G has much better range, the connection still drops occasionally...but very infrequently, and it tops out at 54 MBps.

If you decide to go with "super G, xtreme G, speed booster" or whatever you want to call the step above G, I will give you the scoop on that as well.

Wireless G "plus" has the best overall range, the connection still drops occasionally, but no more/less than regular G, and it tops out at 108 MBps.

You wont really see a speed difference between 54 and 108, as most cable connections top out around 3 MBps. Where you will see that difference is when transfering files between computers on the network. I highly (highly) recommend going with at least a wireless G router, and try to stay away from the cheap stuff. As a grizzled vet of setting these things up, there is a very large difference between the Cisco Systems Linksys networks, and the no name cheapo stuff. As far as your Xbox goes, you will have to pick up one of two things. You can get the official Microsoft X-Box wireless receiver *info*, or you can pick up either the wireless B or wireless G linksys game adapters *info*.

I hope this helps.

01-09-2005, 01:29 PM	#2
Sun Tzu Pro Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In the thick of it.	Grab the following. Linksys Wireless G router Linksys Wireless G PCM card (if it's not already integrated into your laptop) That's it. __________________ I'm still here. Don't touch my fucking bacon.

01-09-2005, 01:39 PM	#3
Eaglesfan27 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: New Jersey	You'd also need a wireless receiver for your X-Box. That would be a very nice setup, but more expensive than the 802.11b router, 802.11b Card for your laptop. However, if you can afford it, I do recommend the 802.11g as Sun Tzy mentioned. __________________ Retired GM of the eNFL 2007 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (19-0 record.) GM of the WOOF 2006 Doggie Bowl Champion Atlantic City Gamblers. GM of the IHOF 2019 and 2022 IHOF Bowl Champion Asheville Axemen.

01-09-2005, 01:43 PM	#4
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	Don't just grab the standard G, either get the a/g or super G because the range is a little iffy on b/g. I have a decent sized house and I couldn't get reception very good in certain places of the house. Super G and A/G both have greater range than just standard G. __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

01-09-2005, 02:50 PM	#5
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	you roommate will also need a wireless card. __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

01-09-2005, 02:54 PM	#7
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	Is there way to get a router that provides both wireless connection and connection via a cable? I am about to move into a new place. My PC doesn't have a wireless card, but I plan to get a card for my laptop or use my work laptop (which already has an intergrated wireless card) at home. __________________ *Steve Yzerman*: 1,755 points in 1,514 regular season games. 185 points in 196 postseason games. A First-Team All-Star, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Selke Trophy winner, Masterton Trophy winner, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Olympic gold medallist, and a three-time Stanley Cup Champion. Longest serving captain of one team in the history of the NHL (19 seasons).

01-09-2005, 03:06 PM	#8
Tasan College Starter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Houston, or there about	Most wireless routers have at least 4 "wired" ports on them in addition to the wireless connectivity. I know that this is the case for Linksys, Netgear, and DLink, imho the best home user routers out there. __________________ 2011 Golden Scribes winner for best Interactive Dynasty

01-09-2005, 03:40 PM	#10
Airhog Captain Obvious Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Norman, Oklahoma	u learn something every day __________________ Thread Killer extraordinaire Yay! its football season once again!

01-10-2005, 12:07 PM	#12
Sun Tzu Pro Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In the thick of it.	Wireless B has very poor range, the connection tends to drop much moreso than the others, and it tops out at 11MBps. Wireless G has much better range, the connection still drops occasionally...but very infrequently, and it tops out at 54 MBps. If you decide to go with "super G, xtreme G, speed booster" or whatever you want to call the step above G, I will give you the scoop on that as well. Wireless G "plus" has the best overall range, the connection still drops occasionally, but no more/less than regular G, and it tops out at 108 MBps. You wont really see a speed difference between 54 and 108, as most cable connections top out around 3 MBps. Where you will see that difference is when transfering files between computers on the network. I highly (highly) recommend going with at least a wireless G router, and try to stay away from the cheap stuff. As a grizzled vet of setting these things up, there is a very large difference between the Cisco Systems Linksys networks, and the no name cheapo stuff. As far as your Xbox goes, you will have to pick up one of two things. You can get the official Microsoft X-Box wireless receiver info, or you can pick up either the wireless B or wireless G linksys game adapters info. I hope this helps. __________________ I'm still here. Don't touch my fucking bacon.

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