Networking - Need advice

[Sammie]

Hello,

Today i'm after some advice about networking, i currently have a router placed out in my lounge room which has several points for internet leads, i run a lead from there into my room for my laptop.

However i am wondering, how would i go around having something which was wireless? so i could move my laptop right around the house anywhere but would still have internet access.

I of course don't want to go on wireless internet as i wouldn't be needing it since i already have the other, i was told that there is something you can get which would plug into the router and then another part into my laptop, any thoughts on what this could be and/or what i could get?

Thanks

[Dynash]

Yes, a wireless modem, with a USB connector.
I use one of these babies at the mo, http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=136493
It's been working fine for 3 years, not bad for £20 :D
(I just bought another though, since the battery port is going on the other, Beklin are cheap but good.)

For the laptop, you'd need a connector card (these are usually built in to new laptops though), or you'd use the USB that comes with the Beklin modem, if you get one that is)

[fnixws]

Dunno why youd want the USB connection?

I assume your current config looks somthing like this: Home PCs - Router - Modem(internet).

Remove that router and get a wifi router, i suggest a linksys WRT54G.

You run a cable from the Wireless Routers "internet" port to the LAN connection on your Cabel/DSL modem.
Plug your Hardwired PCs into the network ports on the back of the Linksys router.

If you laptop doesnt already have one, you need a WiFi Card. Either PCMCIA or USB. Might as well just get a USB one, they are cheaper and you can use them on any PC.

Install the card in the Laptop.
Use windows wireless network connection wizard to scan for avalible networks.
Connect!

Once your setup, dont forget to enable security for the wireless network. Otherwise youll have every tom, ---- and harry borrowing your connection :P

[Sammie]

fnixws, is this what you are talking about?
http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/6801

[fnixws]

Yep, that1 will do it!

[Sammie]

Cool, do you think i would still need a WiFi Card card with that one? as someone i know said i most likely wouldn't.

Any other options?

Thanks

[fnixws]

Only if your laptop doesnt already have wifi.

To connect to any wifi router without a network cabel, you need a wifi card of some sort.

[Sammie]

Only if your laptop doesnt already have wifi.

To connect to any wifi router without a network cabel, you need a wifi card of some sort.

Would there be anyway to find out if my laptop does have one?

[Dynash]

It will say on it, and on the hardware list.

[fnixws]

Check Device Manager under Network Adapter.
Will say somthing like "Intell PRO100 Wireless Networking Device" or possible "Brand IEEE 802.11b adapter" or similar.

Still cant tell?? Check the box the thing came in or the manual, or even google its model number.

[Sammie]

All i can find under Network adapters is this

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6903/networkadapra8.png

How much are the WiFi Card USB's? and also how would i go around enabling security for the wireless network?

[Dynash]

You don't have WiFi then.
WiFi USB's come with the wireless modem otherwise it's just worthless.
The WiFi Cards can be $50+, depending on the brand you buy, Belkin are cheap but worthy.
You use your computer after you install and setup the network. You go to http://192.168.2.1 and will see something like this (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h56/stevie_901/test.jpg) (But it varies to the firmware of the company. but that's what it's like)

[fnixws]

Pickup a cheap USB wifi dongle for $10 on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/USB-2-0-Wireless-LAN-card-802-11g-WIFI-54mbps-Adapter_W0QQitemZ250272237494QQihZ015QQcategoryZ130779QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That will work just fine :D

[Sammie]

WiFi USB's come with the wireless modem otherwise it's just worthless.
The WiFi Cards can be $50+, depending on the brand you buy, Belkin are cheap but worthy.
You use your computer after you install and setup the network. You go to http://192.168.2.1 and will see something like this (http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h56/stevie_901/test.jpg) (But it varies to the firmware of the company. but that's what it's like)

Ah yes, so atleast one should be included, that's for teh help, i'll look into buying one soon when i have some money.

Another question, what are the limitations with this? as in is there a certain number of Km you have to be within to access it?


Thanks

[Dynash]

Depending on the brand. I know if you use a BT-Home Hub (UK), you can use the WiFi out in your garden due to their high broadcasting area, but most WiFi home networks are limited to indoor. It should say on the specs of the modem.

[fnixws]

The range, quality and speed of your connection depend on a few things, but mainly, the antenna and positioning of the anenna, and the sensitivity of the reciver on your router and card.

With a standard slaptogether setup, you should be abel to comfotably cover your house, inside and outside, depending on the equipment, location and size of the place obviously. Even things like the thinkness of the walls and position in the house have a major effect.

However its not hard to get some good range out of your WiFi without resorting to using illegal amplifiers or other methods.

Look for cards and router with a sensitivity of over 91bd.
Make sure the router and card have detachable antennas so you can get rid of the crappy 2dbi antennas they come with and use somthing with a decent gain.
Dont position the antennas in silly places, the more open the better, the signal needs a chance to "escape" before being deflected around by walls, trees, powerlines ect.

Im running a 24dbi dish, 18bdi Yagi and 18dbi Vertical for our network. The dish is connected to a node over 4kms away via a linksys WRT54G at standard output. The Yagi 2.6kms also WRT54G and the Vertical you can pickup reliably within 500m or so of the house, but ive picked it up almost 1.5kms away on a bridge.

Personally, i prefer the router to be seperate from the modem, but if you want both in 1, the D-Link DSL G604T is rather good for $60.