Confused....

[ZR]

I have 3 computers connected to a Cable modem via Linksys Router (4
ports).

Would like to add an option for wireless ("G").

What so I need: Wireless Router, Wireless Switcher, Wireless Access
Point...?


What is the difference between each of these ?

Thanks.

ZR

 

[David Robbins]

I have 3 computers connected to a Cable modem via Linksys Router (4
ports).

Would like to add an option for wireless ("G").

What so I need: Wireless Router, Wireless Switcher, Wireless Access
Point...?


What is the difference between each of these ?

Thanks.

ZR

you 'need' at least a wireless access point. an access point is basically a
hub for wireless connections. it does no routing, dhcp, dns, firewall,
etc... since you already have those functions in your linksys router you
don't need to add the extra complexity of another router.

a wireless router has all the router features plus the wireless access
point. so you could replace your linksys router with a wireless router and
make everything wireless... though i believe most wireless routers also
include wired ports... the linksys wrt54g includes a 4 port switch.

i'm not sure what you mean by 'wireless switcher' unless you are thinking of
the wireless routers that include wired switch ports.

 

[ZR]

Thank you. I guess it is now clearer to me.

If I want to have one HP printer (wired) on the network and be able to
print on it from any computer on my network, which wireless access
point should I be looking for ? - Does Linksys have such ?

ZR

 

[David Robbins]

if you go with the access point then you will still have your router. so
you can plug the wired printer into the router. you just have to leave one
port on the router for the access point to plug in.

sure, linksys has a couple... now you can really get confused.
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=447403 WAP54G is an
802.11b/g point that will handle either 11mbps or up to 54mbps connections.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=242503 WAP11 is an 802.11b
only access point. so it does only 11mbps.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=481326 WAP55AG is a dual
band 802.11a/b/g combination access point.

Netgear, DLink, Cisco, Nortel, all have similar products, mostly around the
same prices.

Definitions:

802.11a operates on the 5GHz radio band, this band is used less than the
2.4GHz band the other types use so would get less chance of interference.
it generally has shorter range but higher speed. up to 54mbps transfer
rates.

802.11b operated in the 2.4GHz radio band which is shared with microwave
ovens, cordless phones, bluetooth and a host of other stuff. so it is prone
to interference, but generally has a longer range than the 5GHz equipment.
the b standard is fixed at 11mbps.

802.11g also operates in the 2.4GHz band. but the g standard is adaptive
and can go up to 54mbps, but will slow down if signals are weak or there is
interference. this is newer than the b standard and is downward compatible
so most of these are listed as 802.11b/g and serve both types of clients.

 

[David Robbins]

oh, by the way... when i was looking at it i had no need for 802.11a
service, but did want to be able to handle some friends who already had
802.11b, but also wanted the higher speed. I went with an 802.11b/g Netgear
access point, their type wg602.

 

[ZR]

Have you experienced any problems with this Netgear WG602 ?

And thank you for the other detailed reply as well !!

ZR

 

[ZR]

Thanks Dave.

a.) I looked at the WAP54G (aprox $89) and at the WAP55AG
($244.00) - and still I do not get what is the difference between
these two ...???

b) My printer now (HP 970) is connected to one of the computers
(USB 1.0) on the "wired" home network How would I connect it to the
Router ? - is there an USB output in the back of the router? (the
Linksys one I have now doesn't have such provision).

ZR

 

[David Robbins]

the wap54g does 802.11b and 802.11g which are both on the 2.4GHz band. The
g means it will go up to 54mbps, but it also does the older 11mbps for the
older 802.11b devices.

the wap55ag does everything the wap54g does, but it also does the 5Ghz band
for the 802.11a protocol. so it is essentially 2 access points in one box.
two radio bands, and the whole range of speeds. thats why its more
expensive.

ah, an hp970... got one of those here also. no, you can't just plug one of
them into a router. to run that printer without a pc connected to it you
either need a router that has a print server built in or a separate print
server for it. i haven't done that here since i normally only print from
one computer, but linksys does have a couple options you can look at...
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=547484
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=341159
and this one that is wired, but can use an optional wireless card:
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=404878

as far as the netgear one, i like it just fine. i have only used it with a
max of 4 computers at once but it has performed just fine and it sure is
nice not to have to chase wires around to move machines.

 

[ZR]

Thanks again.

I was looking at another option too: HP DeskJet 5850 has a wireless B
and G network built in.

That seems to be a more economical solution...?

I wonder if other network hrdware mfg's make Access Points with a
printer output too (B&G) ?

ZR

 

[David Robbins]

sure, if you go to cdw.com (i just use them because we have an account at
work so i know how their searches work) and search for 'wireless print
server' you get a whole list of them. lots of choices, the linksys one
without the optional wireless card looks like the cheapest.

 

[ZR]

Thanks. Indeed several options but... none that I spoted which has
BOTH wireless Printer and standard wireless and wired network
ports...? In other words - an Access Point + Wireless Printer
porvision.

ZR

 

[David Robbins]

i guess not, it appears you have to go to the wireless routers to get the
printer controller built in. just looking at the short descriptions i don't
see one from linksys, netgear has the fm114p but its only 802.11b and dlink
has the di-824vup. there are probably others but you are going to pay more
for them obviously.