Direcway Help

[sdspears]

We have Direcway satalite for our internet. I only have it hooked up to one laptop running XP. I'd like to also hook up my kids desktop running 98 to the internet as well.

I'd like to go wireless. I hate having my laptop 'plugged in' to be on the internet.

What do I need to buy/how do I do this?

 

[amdskip]

I'm pretty sure what you need to do is to use windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS). It will share the connection through a network card. Hook that connection into a wireless router and set it up to share it wirelessly. I have not touched Direcway in a while so their systems might have changed but I doubt it.

 

[sdspears]

Any suggestions for a wireless router and network cards?

 

[sdspears]

What type of routers is fastest and works for wireless internet the furthest away from router?

Also, why do some have multiple ports?

I know this is going to sound REALLY dumb.....but do you plug in items like printer, CDRs etc into to be able to share? Are those still into one of the computers?

 

[madthumbs]

I'm very sorry to hear you chose DirecWay. You'll probably find as I did that you were lied to by salesmen, that p2p doesn't work good on satellite, there is no free nntp server and you're severly overcharged for what you're getting. If you're happy with them, hopefully you won't find out how they make it near impossible to return equipment or cancel service.

ICS is not needed if you have a router vs a hub. Linksys tend to make good routers. I'm personally very happy with the WRT54G. Linksys released the source code for this router making it easy for anyone to hack the firmware. Now you can get firmwares that allow you to increase the wireless signal strength, in addition to a lot of other great features. If you choose the GS model, you can pair it with their wireless card for speedboost.

Multiple ports are usually for additional wired PC hookups. Some routers can serve as a print server, where the printer can be plugged in directly to the router. In your case, I wouldn't concern myself with any extra features. The Linksys WRT54G/GS are good choices.

 

[sdspears]

I live out in the boonies and Direcway or Dialup were my only choices. I tried dialup first. ALL companies were long distance calls, so I had to get and extra phone line, $30 long distance plan, plus the dial up. I was paying over $70 for dialup with a speed of just under 28K. We replaced all the phone lines in the house to try and speed it up with no luck. Phone company would do nothing. SO.....direcway we went. I'm not thrilled with them, but have had them 2yrs now with no other choices :-(

Anyways.......I'll look at the Linksys.

Does the WRT54G/GS work well thru floors/walls? My laptop and my kids desktop are on different floors. Does it matter how many computers are hooked up to that system? My (pregnant) daughter is married to a marine and is moving back home for a long time while he's deployed, she is bringing her laptop. Next year I'm hoping to find a cheap, maybe used laptop for my son for his homeschooling. So in a perfect world would like 4 computers wireless in the near future.

What about the different cards? The internal, USB or pcmcia? And differences performance wise? Do I get Linksys cards if I get the Linksys router?

Sorry such basic questions, I've never done this before and it seems everytime I shop and Comp USA or Best Buy etc......they sell me the wrong things.

 

[sdspears]

PS. I dont need anything I can hack the firmware. I'm barely competent enough to buy the hardware, let alone hack the stuff <smile>

 

[sdspears]

I was just on Direcways site. I'm using the 4000 system. It says I need an Wireless Access Point (doesnt mention router).

Dish to - DW4000 modem to - desktop to - Wireless Access Point to - wireless laptop/desktop.

So what about......

Microsoft Wireless Notebook Kit 802.11B Access Point/PC Card

?????

 

[amdskip]

madthumbs, yes ICS does need to be used if he has the DW4000. Basically your main host computer will have the connection coming in and it will send it out to a switch (do not use a router, it is not needed) which will allow other computers to use it. In his case with wanting wireless he could either hook up an access point or use a router instead of a switch but you will have to disable DHCP. Check this out: http://www.dslreports.com/foru...k,8856743?hilite=share

 

[sdspears]

Hmmmm....After reading that I'm leaning towards the Netgear FM114P, as its a switch, router, access point all in one. Seems I'd be safe with this choice to work with Direcway.

 

[madthumbs]

Sorry, assumed that most of today's routers including the wrt54g were also switches. Bad assumption on my part! Apparently you can't just stick any component on the end of a dW4000 either.

 

[bunker]

http://www.apet.net/satnetwork/