wireless dilemma

[numlock]

ok, here we go
clickme
this is what i wanna have configured at home ... im having trouble deciding which wireless hardware to get. i was looking at linksys, netgear, smc, d-link and all access points are about $200. now i imagine that for the receiver for the laptop (in the diagram), i'd need a pc card. but what would i but for the transmitter? a whole access point? i dont wanna spend $200 just for a transmitting access point. the access points say they support more than 1 (like 64 or 128) users but i only need 1. isnt there just a simple transmitter for 1 user?


any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[JackMDS]

There is no Transmitter or receiver, both ends Transmit and receive.

You mean Access Point (A/P), and Wireless Network Card (client).

The following refers to Entry Level Wireless Systems.

If you don?t have a Cable/DSL Router, you can get a Wireless Cable/DSL Router (it is a combo Router with 3-4 regular ports, and A/P)

If you have already a Cable/DSL Routers you have to buy an Access Point (A/P). They all-capable to deal with many clients, there is no cheap A/P for few computers.

If you want to connect few computers you can get Wireless Network Cards, and connect them in AD-Hoc setting. (not the best solution but it works).

According to ?Conventional Wisdom? the combination SMC Wireless Barricade, and Lucent Orinoco Wireless Network Card works well.

If you want to spend more money and get a better Wireless network, go with the Cisco Aironet series.

Some general Info.

The Wireless Solution, or my Wife, Mother in low, Mom, Don't Allow Wires.

Hardware Info:


Practically Networked Product Guide - Wireless Networking Index

 

[mobly99]

You could just get a wireless NIC for one of the desktops but then you are going to have to have an OS that can handle routing/bridging between the 2 NICs and that PC would have to be on all the time (or at least whenever you want to use the laptop)

 

[numlock]

the only thing i want wireless is the laptop ... every other computer in that image click here is cat 5 wired

 

[mobly99]

<< the only thing i want wireless is the laptop ... every other computer in that image click here is cat 5 wired >>



Well, you need some other wireless device - either as Jack said a Wireless Router/AP or Access point, or as I said another PC with a wireless NIC to route/bridge wireless to Ethernet.

 

[JackMDS]

Under normal condition I will buy a Desktop Wireless NIC$120-$140), installe it as a second NIC card in the desktop that will be the closer to the ?Laptopping? area. Buy a regular PCMCIA Wireless Card ($90-110); stick it to the laptop.

Install both Wireless cards as AD-Hoc connection. Total expense about $220.

I am not sure how you will route the Internet connection to the Laptop under such arrangement, you have already a Router in the system but I don?t thing it will route to the laptop???. In addition, you will have to keep the Desktop On as long as you use the Laptop.

There are A/P on sale for less then $200, and Wireless cards for less then $100. So for $80-$100 you can have a much better solution.

 

[cgclausen]

I'm in the same boat as you. I have two desktops on a wired network, and two laptops who are currently not hooked up. I have been using internet connection sharing that came with windows 98 to share my cable connection with my two desktop computers. I have been looking for a good way to hook my two laptops into the network, but they are all costly. Idealy I would get the Linksys Wireless 4port Cable/DSL Router. And two Wireless PCMCIA cards. I like the fact that it integrates existing wired and wireless networks. Unfortunately the entire project would cost around $400 to implement. Maybe you could sell your existing router to help counteract the price. Your other option is to wait for pricess to come down like I will brobaly end up doing.


David