Networking Question:

[fatbaby]

Right now, I have a 4 port netgear rt314 router and 2 computers and a cable modem networked over cat5. In the near future, I plan on getting a laptop with 80211 wireless connection. How can i network all 3 with the cable modem without disposing of my current network config? Would i have to purchase a wireless pci card and place it into one of the computers so the lappy would have to access the internet through one of the computers -> switch -> cable modem?

Are there any alternatives?

 

[skatertech]

You could buy one of these and just connect it directly to your router. The router would see any wireless devices as physically connected, so there should be no problem.

 

[minendo]

As mentioned above all you need is a WAP (Wireless Access Point). I just set up the one linked above and it works great. Below is an outline of my network.

DSL Modem ---> Linksys 4 port router ---> 3 comps and WAP ---> Switch connected to uplink port.

Total of 6 computers currently running on the network with no problems.

The WAP11 is extremely easy to configure, especially through the USB port.

 

[stranger707]

I wouldn't recommend the Linksys WAP11. It has an inferior antenna design that gives very poor coverage. I have the BEFW11S4, which has the same antenna design as the WAP11 and I am quite disappointed in it. I would recommend the D-Link DI-714P+. It has twice the throughput capability and a much better antenna design. The D-Link AirPlus line of products has the TI chip that makes the double rate possible.

 

[skatertech]

I'm not sure about the DLink product, but the WAP11 covers about 100ft, 30ft up and down.