Wifi and Broadband Connections
Discussion
I have a number of PCs/Laptops at home and want to connect them together in a Wifi network that is connected to a Broadband connection.
Question is what is the best solution for connecting to a broadband connection (I already have the Wifi cards for my laptops, but need a Wifi card for my PC and a Router/Wireless Access Point/Ethernet/ADSL Modem). Is it better to just get a Wireless Access Point and connect it to an ADSL Modem/Router?
I want to be able to see each computer and be able to use any computer to print documents on the same printer, plus connect to the internet from any. I know that I need to have a static IP address.
Can anyone recommend a cheap provider with a static IP address that will allow me to run a home network.
Question is what is the best solution for connecting to a broadband connection (I already have the Wifi cards for my laptops, but need a Wifi card for my PC and a Router/Wireless Access Point/Ethernet/ADSL Modem). Is it better to just get a Wireless Access Point and connect it to an ADSL Modem/Router?
I want to be able to see each computer and be able to use any computer to print documents on the same printer, plus connect to the internet from any. I know that I need to have a static IP address.
Can anyone recommend a cheap provider with a static IP address that will allow me to run a home network.
Get a combined WiFi access point and cable/dsl router. I don't see why you need a static IP address, these things come with DHCP servers to allocate IPs to all your PCs which are address translated by the router/firewall before hitting the Internet.
I'd recommend a Linksys one, or if you want to plug your (Parallel not USB) printer into the router and access it from any PC, an SMC one like wot I got.
I'd recommend a Linksys one, or if you want to plug your (Parallel not USB) printer into the router and access it from any PC, an SMC one like wot I got.
Bonce said: Get a combined WiFi access point and cable/dsl router. I don't see why you need a static IP address, these things come with DHCP servers to allocate IPs to all your PCs which are address translated by the router/firewall before hitting the Internet.
I'd recommend a Linksys one, or if you want to plug your (Parallel not USB) printer into the router and access it from any PC, an SMC one like wot I got.
I have thought about a combined one, but wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a WAP and get a free modem/router with an ISP with a static IP?
>> Edited by sybaseian on Tuesday 6th May 13:19
Good suggestions for starting out from scratch.
What about when you have an established (and working) ADSL router & ethernet switch system. Presumably you can buy some box of tricks that you simply plug into a spare 10/100 port on the switch and your wifi-enabled laptop will then automagically start talking to the network?
What about when you have an established (and working) ADSL router & ethernet switch system. Presumably you can buy some box of tricks that you simply plug into a spare 10/100 port on the switch and your wifi-enabled laptop will then automagically start talking to the network?
I seem to have answered my own question with a quick trip to Novatech
Belkin 54G Wireless Access Point
£79.00 Ex VAT
£92.82 Inc VAT
The 54g WAP connects to your network switch and lets you join your wireless-equipped PCs to your wired network. It is based on breakthrough 54g technology that makes wireless file transfers and downloads faster than ever before. 54g technology provides you with networking speeds nearly five times faster than the current Wi-Fi (802.11b) standard.
I've just setup a wifi. I went for the Linksys one as it was easy to set up and had good reviews
Got a PC , 2 laptops and my Gamecube connected up no problem
PC------> Wireless router
Gamecube---------> Wet11 ethernet bridge
Laptop--------> PCMCIA wireless card
Laptop--------> USB wireless access point
Got the network running in a couple of hours once I had downloaded some drivers for the Laptops.
I managed the BBC IQ test on Sunday with my laptop and no wires - excellent, although my IQ was less than I anticipated
Got a PC , 2 laptops and my Gamecube connected up no problem
PC------> Wireless router
Gamecube---------> Wet11 ethernet bridge
Laptop--------> PCMCIA wireless card
Laptop--------> USB wireless access point
Got the network running in a couple of hours once I had downloaded some drivers for the Laptops.
I managed the BBC IQ test on Sunday with my laptop and no wires - excellent, although my IQ was less than I anticipated
JonRB said: I seem to have answered my own question with a quick trip to Novatech
Belkin 54G Wireless Access Point
£79.00 Ex VAT
£92.82 Inc VAT
The 54g WAP connects to your network switch and lets you join your wireless-equipped PCs to your wired network. It is based on breakthrough 54g technology that makes wireless file transfers and downloads faster than ever before. 54g technology provides you with networking speeds nearly five times faster than the current Wi-Fi (802.11b) standard.
I've had one of the linksys w/l routers for the past month or two, with a 54g card in my laptop - works first time, no problems and connection reliability is very good. From what I remember of the belkin ones, the linksys has a better admin interface.
Just make sure any other network cards, built in or not are either removed or disabled.
>> Edited by size13 on Tuesday 6th May 13:46
size13 said:
JonRB said: I seem to have answered my own question with a quick trip to Novatech
Belkin 54G Wireless Access Point
£79.00 Ex VAT
£92.82 Inc VAT
The 54g WAP connects to your network switch and lets you join your wireless-equipped PCs to your wired network. It is based on breakthrough 54g technology that makes wireless file transfers and downloads faster than ever before. 54g technology provides you with networking speeds nearly five times faster than the current Wi-Fi (802.11b) standard.
I've had one of the linksys w/l routers for the past month or two, with a 54g card in my laptop - works first time, no problems and connection reliability is very good. From what I remember of the belkin ones, the linksys has a better admin interface.
Just make sure any other network cards, built in or not are either removed or disabled.
>> Edited by size13 on Tuesday 6th May 13:46
Do I need to have an ADSL modem with this and can I plug a USB combined Fax/Scanner/Printer into it as a network printer?
After a lot of research I think I have found the solution to my problem - a Netgear DG824M ADSL Modem, Wireless Access Point/Ethernet, Switch, and Firewall all in one box.
Not bad for about £140 + VAT and it's cheaper than buying seperate bits; modem, router, firewall, WAP.
Four Products in One — ADSL Modem, Wireless Access Point, Switch, and Firewall
NETGEAR's Wireless ADSL Internet Gateway provides it all. Equipped with a built-in ADSL modem, it gets you connected to the Internet at top speed. You don't need a separate modem because it plugs right into your ADSL line. The built-in 802.11b wireless access point gives you the untethered freedom of wireless roaming connectivity to network resources and the Internet. You can distribute MP3s, digital movies and photos with ultra-fast LAN ports capable of speeds up to 200 Mbps. Play Internet games, send instant messages, host Internet services built-in port forwarding settings make it a breeze. You'll enjoy these benefits all the more knowing you have a True Firewall on the job, providing business-class security for your computers and your network with protection against Denial of Service attacks and network intruders. NETGEAR's easy, Web browser-based setup gets your system working in minutes. Protected with a 3-year warranty, this ADSL Modem Gateway is upgradable with new enhancements via the Internet, and comes with an Ethernet cable for connecting your first computer.
User Friendly
This uncomplicated unit plugs directly into your ADSL line, and an integrated switch makes it simple to directly hook up four computers. Setup is easy with our unique Install Assistant and on-screen help guiding you through each step. Works with PCs, Macintoshes, and virtually all Ethernet devices.
Untethered
Extends your network to support up to 11 Mbps wireless throughput without the need for any new cabling.
On Guard
Covers all the bases with: True Firewall using Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Intrusion Control; Denial of Service protection from hacker attacks; VPN (Virtual Private Network) pass-through; content filtering to control Internet access to inappropriate web sites, based on time of day, URL, or URL keywords; logging and reporting capabilities.
High-Powered
With speeds of up to 200 Mbps, the LAN ports allow you to distribute large multimedia files such as audio, video and graphics with ease. Features double the memory and a 50% faster CPU than many popular routers, and allows you to share your broadband Internet connection among up to 253 devices. Furnishes DMZ support for unrestricted access from the Internet to one computer for Web hosting functionality.
>> Edited by sybaseian on Sunday 11th May 00:47
Not bad for about £140 + VAT and it's cheaper than buying seperate bits; modem, router, firewall, WAP.
Four Products in One — ADSL Modem, Wireless Access Point, Switch, and Firewall
NETGEAR's Wireless ADSL Internet Gateway provides it all. Equipped with a built-in ADSL modem, it gets you connected to the Internet at top speed. You don't need a separate modem because it plugs right into your ADSL line. The built-in 802.11b wireless access point gives you the untethered freedom of wireless roaming connectivity to network resources and the Internet. You can distribute MP3s, digital movies and photos with ultra-fast LAN ports capable of speeds up to 200 Mbps. Play Internet games, send instant messages, host Internet services built-in port forwarding settings make it a breeze. You'll enjoy these benefits all the more knowing you have a True Firewall on the job, providing business-class security for your computers and your network with protection against Denial of Service attacks and network intruders. NETGEAR's easy, Web browser-based setup gets your system working in minutes. Protected with a 3-year warranty, this ADSL Modem Gateway is upgradable with new enhancements via the Internet, and comes with an Ethernet cable for connecting your first computer.
User Friendly
This uncomplicated unit plugs directly into your ADSL line, and an integrated switch makes it simple to directly hook up four computers. Setup is easy with our unique Install Assistant and on-screen help guiding you through each step. Works with PCs, Macintoshes, and virtually all Ethernet devices.
Untethered
Extends your network to support up to 11 Mbps wireless throughput without the need for any new cabling.
On Guard
Covers all the bases with: True Firewall using Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) and Intrusion Control; Denial of Service protection from hacker attacks; VPN (Virtual Private Network) pass-through; content filtering to control Internet access to inappropriate web sites, based on time of day, URL, or URL keywords; logging and reporting capabilities.
High-Powered
With speeds of up to 200 Mbps, the LAN ports allow you to distribute large multimedia files such as audio, video and graphics with ease. Features double the memory and a 50% faster CPU than many popular routers, and allows you to share your broadband Internet connection among up to 253 devices. Furnishes DMZ support for unrestricted access from the Internet to one computer for Web hosting functionality.
>> Edited by sybaseian on Sunday 11th May 00:47
FourWheelDrift said: Do you know the range for that. (thinking of using something like this too)
Doesn't say, but I currently link two laptops using pcmcia cards and don't have a problem connecting inside the house. I would have thought that the signal strength would be much higher with the router.
check the specs at www.netgear.com/products/details/DG824M.asp
sybaseian said:
FourWheelDrift said: Do you know the range for that. (thinking of using something like this too)
Doesn't say, but I currently link two laptops using pcmcia cards and don't have a problem connecting inside the house. I would have thought that the signal strength would be much higher with the router.
check the specs at www.netgear.com/products/details/DG824M.asp
thanks
FourWheelDrift said:
sybaseian said:
FourWheelDrift said: Do you know the range for that. (thinking of using something like this too)
Doesn't say, but I currently link two laptops using pcmcia cards and don't have a problem connecting inside the house. I would have thought that the signal strength would be much higher with the router.
check the specs at www.netgear.com/products/details/DG824M.asp
thanks
just been doing some digging and the range should be about 500ft indoors and 1500ft outdoors.......
FourWheelDrift said: thanks again. certainly looks good.
http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/review/19/2/3559.html
for the review
and
www.insight.com/uk/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=NGECATBUN
for the cheapest one I've found, plus you get a free MA401 Wireless PC Card worth £29.99!
>> Edited by sybaseian on Sunday 11th May 01:51
sybaseian said:
just been doing some digging and the range should be about 500ft indoors and 1500ft outdoors.......
Ummm, you're unlikely ever to see that sort of range with standard omni-directional antennas and the current power output limits.
When it's not late at night after a few beers, I'll look up the quoted ranges with std. antennas and power outputs.
Marshy said:
sybaseian said:
just been doing some digging and the range should be about 500ft indoors and 1500ft outdoors.......
Ummm, you're unlikely ever to see that sort of range with standard omni-directional antennas and the current power output limits.
When it's not late at night after a few beers, I'll look up the quoted ranges with std. antennas and power outputs.
true, but that's ideal conditions and at least the antenna is upgradeable.
How's work at the moment Marshy?
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