Wireless internet

[chperplt]

For the computer experts out there..

I want to connect my desktop pc and its cable connection with my laptop for internet use on a wireless network. Is there any real difference between a $49 router and a $99 router? What about the PC Card for the laptop. I've seen them at Best Buy for $29 all the way to $199.

 

[TR4A]

There is a difference in speeds. 802.11B is 11MPS and 802.11G is 54MPS. Your internet connection is a lot slow that this 3MPS or less. I run a wireless G system. It is downward compatible with B.

 

[414Flyer]

You can find the 802.11b cards and routers for pretty good prices. Same with laptop cards if you look around. Prices are a lot cheaper online if you look around, than just in stores usually.

If you are just looking to share internet, B is just fine. G is faster, but B is often already faster than your cable internet connection already, and you really probably will not need G speed.

Some of the more expensive wireless cards might have some better range, but if you are in the same room, or have just one wall in between, most will work fine. Just find some online reviews for the equipment you are thinking of getting, just to make sure it is not POS.

 

[flyn96]

yo

 

[Chas]

get a firewall

I have heard of cases where people driving by can hook into your system without one Chas

 

[414Flyer]

The firewall is more for people getting in thru the internet connection. The router itself probably has a basic hardware firewall, but an up to date software firewall is good too.

To keep people from driving around and getting in thru your connection, you enable WEP encryption

 

[TR4A]

I went for the G because of the speed on the network 54mps vs 11mps. I am using Linksys.

The Firewall has nothing to do with someone finding a "Hot Spot" in front of your house. I can log on to my neighbor's router and access the net because he does not have it encrypted. Set up the security feature. If you have a choice use WPA instead of the weaker WEP setting.

PC World did a few articles on WiFi. They rated them as follows:

Neatgear
Linksys
Belkin
Buffalo
D-Link
US Robotics

 

[chperplt]

Thanks for the info..

Best Buy has a Linksys 802.11g Wireless Notebook Card on sale for $49 and a Linksys 802.11g Wireless Router for $69. I'll check the net for other deals..

 

[amaineiac]

Along with WEP, you can also set the range from its max (maybe 100 feet or so) down to 20 feet.

I would second the B standard, unless you are x-fering huge files, like videos, from one computer to another.

You'll love wireless. Nothing like being able to sit on your deck, drink a beer and being able to surf.

 

[Ailerongirl]

My experiance

I have a Linysys Wireless-G (802.11g) Router hooked up to my desktop, and the Linksys Wireless G Notebook Adapter on the laptop. My bedroom is at the back of the apartment, and we get a clear signal to the laptop no matter where we are, even out on the patio.

The router itself was easy to set up, and the one time I had to Linksys to help me reprogram it (after having problems with our internet provider), they were extremely efficient, polite, and helpful.

 

[Tripower455]

I've got the Linksys wireless "G" router attached to the desktop, and a Linksys wireless "G" card in my newer laptop, with a "B" card in the old P-266.

While surfing the net, the "B" not noticeably slower than the "G". As someone else has said, when it comes to transferring files, the "G" has it all over the "B".

I don't know how I ever did without the wireless setup!

 

[johnpeace]

Ditto

I have a linksys 802.11b wireless router with a signal booster attached and then in another part of the house there's a 802.11b wireless access point that is connected to the router by Cat5 cable.

Coverage is excellent.

I got a 'g' access point at first but it didn't support very good range with my 'b' notebook cards.

Also, the notebook cards come in different power configurations. The more powerful a card you get, the better your range (and shorter your laptop battery life) will be.

I have the Orinoco Gold card and it's awesome...but I don't think they make them anymore.

Good luck

 

[Sc00ter]

Some other security tips for cheap routers.

1. Turn off DHCP and assign a difficult to guess IP range. ie, 192.168.0.39, 192.168.0.44, 192.168.0.77, etc.

2. Screw WEP and specify which MAC addresses can connect wirelessly. It is WAY harder to spoof a mac address and will deter almost all war drivers.

3. Run a real OS (not a product from the Pacific Northwest) so that even if someone gets on your net, they are faced with a difficult time to find open services and exploits.

Good luck,

scoot

 

[chperplt]

I went with the Linksys B. Best Buy had a router and laptop card bundle for $59. It took 10 minutes to install.

 

[NuGuy]

Hi all,
Scooter is correct. If you set up your wireless system correctly, you will deter 99.995% of the creeps.

Turn off CCID. This a broadcast of the routers name to all other wireless users in the area. You might as well put up a neon sign outside your house that says "hack me".

Change the router name and password and IPs from the default. This one simple thing will eliminate most security concerns.

Make sure you have some sort of log-in encryption for the password (WPA works best).

Turn on MAC filtering. By allowing only certain MAC address access, you screen out people trying to enter your system. Each network/wireless card has a unique MAC address. You can find the MAC address usually by checking out the settings for your network card. They CAN be spoofed, but no one is going to bother for a residential network.

You can dial down the range of your route as much as your can stand, but unless you live in an apartment or townhouse or live where you can see into your neighbors bathroom from your kitchen window, you should be ok with the other steps. Most consumer grade WiFI routers don't have the umph to get very far.

Most creeps will bypass a secured system because there are alot of other morons that don't bother that are easy pickings (said as I delete the latest 10 emails containing MYDOOM from idiots infected computers that open every piece of crap that pops up).

Best,
Nu