XP Wireless Lan

[John]

Folks,

I am about to setup a wireless LAN for a friend who has three XP PCs in an
old house. He had previous bad experience with wireless networks and I would
like some hints about what kit is reliable, inexpensive and simple to
install.

The three computers also need to access a communal ISDN line.

I've set up wire based LANs before but not wireless ones, so any hints and
tips on doing so would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John

 

[Mark]

It's generally pretty easy. Once you have the wireless cards installed,
they will behave exactly the same as normal NICs. I would recommend going
for USB 'cards' as they can be easily swapped aroung between computers
and you can place them away from the computer itself to minimise RF
interference.

Use XP's internet connection sharing (ICS) to share the ISDN connection
and all should be well!

Mark.

 

[Nick Thomas]

recently set up a belkin wireless lan with a desktop & two/three laptops,
accessing the net on a cable modem (via a wireless router). It was very
simple to set up - just needed the router, a card for the desktop and three
wireless cards for the lappys. The router can handle up to 4 pcs as well as
the modem, and I'm not sure how many wireless connections. Belkin has a
web-based setup page which I used to set up the router then used XP
networking wizard to set up each of the machines. Problems I encountered
were: Norton Internet Security firewall caused problems originally (locked
out the laptops), and the xp internet firewall also can cause dramas. I'd
suggest not having it on until everything is set up and working the if you
want to use it activate one at a time.

The other thing is that THIS network is also in an old house, built around
the turn of the century in the federation style, with big sandstone blocks
making up some of the walls, and the ceilings are timber slats covered with
plaster.. These tend to dampen and even kill the signal at times...

Costs were the router (about AUD $300) & wireless cards (AUD $150 each) -
setup time about 2 hours.

 

[John]

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

John