Suggestions for wireless network

[floppybootstomp]

I'll be moving house in about a week and where I'm moving to isn't really suitable for a hard wired network so I'm considering going wireless.

So basically what I'm asking is any suggestions for decent kit?

I have 4 computers so I'm assuming I'll need a wireless 4 port ADSL modem/router and 4 x wireless PCI cards. Is that correct? All 4 computers have onboard ethernet but I suppose going wireless would make them redundant.

I was thinking Speedtouch, maybe, for the router but haven't looked for a supplier yet and I have no idea who to use for the 4 cards.

I don't want any Netgear products as my last Netgear router/modem crapped out on me after 18 months, so don't trust them any more.

Anyways, suggestions, hints, advice on wireless security welcome, as I'm new to this.

 

[nivrip]

I was thinking Speedtouch, maybe, for the router but haven't looked for a supplier yet

I got a lot of advice from V_R about this. He suggested a Speedtouch 585v6 router and I know he got his from here This company specialise in refurbished routers but when I needed one they didn't have that particular model in stock. I eventually got a brand new one on ebay for £15, about the same price as dsldepot would have charged.

I must say that, so far, I've had no problems.

 

[Ian]

You don't necessarily need a 4 port ADSL router, as the wireless component can often handle something like 256 wireless connections - but most routers are 4 port anyway so it's a moot point V_R had a link to a refurbished ADSL router place (dsldepot.co.uk, I think) that had a wireless speedtouch that he recommended.

You can get better routers now, but for £20 it was a great deal. Some of the routers offer great speeds and ranges, but if you are in a house and mainly use the net then there is no point in spending the extra £££ IMO. If you're transferring really big files over a network every single day, then it might be worth while though.

WPA-PSK2 is fairly new and more secure than WPA-PSK, but not all routers support this and it needs some more hefty processing power. If you are only going to use these 4 PC's on your network, you should be fine with WPA-PSK (which almost any router will do) and then add MAC address filtering to ensure that only your PC's will be granted access. That should secure it nicely

I'm not up to date on the latest PCI network cards, as I've had some experience on generic to expensive netgear wireless adapters and they've all been much the same... except when it comes to drivers and warranty. Although I might not be able to recommend any specific cards, the only problems I've had have been due to drivers - so be sure to go for someone that releases frequent updates I've got a gigabyte card that cost just over a tenner myself, and it works well enough (un;ike my connection at home ).

 

[floppybootstomp]

I really don't know anything about this suject, sad to say

If I have four wireless network cards in four computers, the router will receive all of them?

Do they have to be on different frequencies? Can I change frequencies on the card?

I don't know what WPA-PSK2 and WPA-PSK is at all, those are new terms to me, I 'm wondering what they mean.

First place I looked was DSL Depot (and the only place, tbh, hence my comment in opening post about not having looked for a supplier), that's where I bought my current wired router from, but they don't appear to have anything suitable atm.

Since then I've noted that OCUK don't do much in the way of routers or any network stuff, I shall take a look at what e-buyer have to offer.

How would I find out who does frequent updates?

I really am quite confused, tbh, was rather hoping somebody here could make a suggestion but it looks as though I may have to resort to Google

Thanks for replies anyway

Oh well, the joys of moving house eh?

 

[Ian]

If I have four wireless network cards in four computers, the router will receive all of them?

Yep, as long as you have a wireless router then it will work with all of them

Do they have to be on different frequencies? Can I change frequencies on the card?

As far as I know, the router is fixed to a single frequency (a defined channel, from 1-11) so you won't need to worry about that

I don't know what WPA-PSK2 and WPA-PSK is at all, those are new terms to me, I 'm wondering what they mean.

Luckily, you don't need to know the in's and out's - but just make sure you have one of these set up with MAC address filtering to secure your network (only takes 5 mins). If you want to know more, the "Wi-Fi Protected Access" page has all the details - but you really don't need to understand it to use it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_Protected_Access).

First place I looked was DSL Depot (and the only place, tbh, hence my comment in opening post about not having looked for a supplier), that's where I bought my current wired router from, but they don't appear to have anything suitable atm.

When I was looking last week I couldn't see any wireless ADSL router either, and I've just checked now and it looks like that hasn't changed. I guess they must just receive stock periodically. If you are moving house, it might be worth signing up to a new ADSL contract and just getting the free router that comes with most bundles They are often pretty good! On the other hand if you are happy with your ISP (Zen?) then there's no need I guess.

Something like this looks ok, but it is Netgear which you wanted to avoid I've had a Belkin crap out on me after about the same time period (but to be fair, their warranty team were good when the PSU failed).

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/78906/

Or a 54Mbps version :

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/52244

 

[Waynos_Face]

Would definetly go with a 54Mbps.

I have had my speedtouch wireless router for a while now, is a good piece of kit, easy to setup and reliable.

I use belkin wireless PCI cards and have done in the computers i build for others. They work well and have a great range, i live in an apartment building and there is another one about 30 metres away, i let my mate use my internet and he gets a good signal.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=178495

You can get the same model cheaper, i have found them on ebay for £10 from DigitalSystems, i brought quite a few as they were cheap and they work well.

 

[Waynos_Face]

Sorry i said go with 54 when the cards i put on are 125. woops.

 

[floppybootstomp]

Ok, two things I don't understand, the difference between 54mbs and 125, what's that all about then? Is one better than the other?

And also this from Ian:

Luckily, you don't need to know the in's and out's - but just make sure you have one of these set up with MAC address filtering to secure your network (only takes 5 mins).

I have not a clue what to do I'm afraid

I liked the look of the Netgear routers/modems Ian linked to but also considering getting these, both Linskys:

Four of these

One of these

Any good? Speed any good?

I really don’t know a lot in this department so any help/advice really apreciated.

 

[Abarbarian]

This is a faster router it has the latest " N " software .An has WPA2 encryption thingy .

Encryption 128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK

Standards IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Peri...less-N+Home+Broadband+Router+?productId=31934


This card has both the "N" and WPA2 capabilities and is not a bad price .

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Peripherals/Network+Encryption 128-bit WEP, 64-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA-PSK/Wireless/Adapter+-+PCI%2FPCI-E+Cards/TP-Link+Draft+N+300Mbps+Wireless+PCI+Adapter+?productId=30991

This card has the WPA2 but is only last years "G" not "N" a bit slower but a bit cheaper aswell .

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Peri...-F+108M+wireless+PCI+Adaptor+?productId=27285

Hope this helps .

 

[floppybootstomp]

Thanks for the links, o Barbaric one

Second one don't work btw

I do like the look of that Linskys router, the first link.

Does that have the Modem built into it?

If I bought that and three of These Linskys adaptor cards, would that all work ok for me?

I'm assuming I'd connect the modem/router to one machine with an ethernet cable to the onboard network facility and then it would broadcast to the other three machines fitted with adaptor cards.

Is that right?

 

[Ian]

I don't think that router above would be what you are after, as it doesn't appear to have a built in modem.

This 54Mbps Linksys does though:

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Peri...reless+G+ADSL2++Modem/Router+?productId=31928

It would also work well with the PCI cards you linked to (also 54mbps). Unless you're moving big files around all the time, I'd say 54Mbps is fast enough (and certainly faster than the max internet speed you'll have). It also has WPA-PSK2.

You don't need to connect the router to a PC at all if you don't want to. I normally have my router plugged straight into the phone line and it sits by itself, then each of the PC's connect to it wirelessly. You don't need to "dial-up" as the router/modem will connect automatically when your PC tries to access to the net (by loadng IE/FF for example).

 

[Adywebb]

Agree with Ian - just one thing I would mention is its better to connect the router by wire whilst setting it up, enabling encryption etc - once done then wireless only is fine.

 

[Abarbarian]

Sorry about the goof about the router . The third link works for the MSI card . The second link was a daily special so I think that is why it dose not work .

 

[Abarbarian]

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/421

http://www.directron.com/wifiguide.html

http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wirelessproducts/a/howtobuildwlan.htm

These guides might help you flops .

 

[floppybootstomp]

I don't think that router above would be what you are after, as it doesn't appear to have a built in modem.

This 54Mbps Linksys does though:

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Peri...reless+G+ADSL2++Modem/Router+?productId=31928

It would also work well with the PCI cards you linked to (also 54mbps). Unless you're moving big files around all the time, I'd say 54Mbps is fast enough (and certainly faster than the max internet speed you'll have). It also has WPA-PSK2.

You don't need to connect the router to a PC at all if you don't want to. I normally have my router plugged straight into the phone line and it sits by itself, then each of the PC's connect to it wirelessly. You don't need to "dial-up" as the router/modem will connect automatically when your PC tries to access to the net (by loadng IE/FF for example).

Ok, I've been without internet for a week but I'm back now.

I'm probably going to buy the router/modem Ian linked to plus three Linskys wireless PCI network cards.

I will then hardwire the router/modem to one computer via one port; fit the three cards to the other three computers and go through the setup routine.

Will that work? Anybody foresee any problems?

Reason I'm hardwiring to one computer is because I can and it will save me money by not having to buy one pci card.

I am currently connected to the internet from one computer only via a Thompson Speedtouch 546V6 wired ADSL router/modem and I will loose-lay an ethernet cable to another computer if I need to, temporarily.

 

[Adywebb]

That will work fine Flops, and having one hardwired is always good for playing with the router settings/wireless encryption etc.

 

[Ian]

That all sounds good Flops Setting up wireless networks (or any network for that matter) is much easier in Vista and XP SP2+, so it should come together quite smoothly

 

[floppybootstomp]

Well that was relatively painless, I now have the Linksys WAG200G router/modem set up to computer in sig via ethernet cable and it's speaking to one Linksys card on one other computer.

Connection speed is quite acceptable

One Linksys adapter card was faulty, computer wouldn't boot after fitting it into a pci slot, a different adapter worked.

I tried for an rma with Aria but their instruction told me to rma direct to Linksys and gave an internet contact and a contact phone number.

The phone number was the wrong one and Linksys asked for a 'Case ID number' which I can't figure out what they mean. On the card there's an ID # and a FCC ID # but it was none of those. Tried a few other things but it wouldn't work.

On top of that Linksys are taking an inventory until June 30th so can't process the order until then.

So I have requested an rma from Aria. Watch this space. All this agro for a £20.00 product, annoying.

 

[crazylegs]

Glad its all up and running Flopp's..

Your contracts with Aria not linksys flopp's hope you get it sorted...Why do these internet retail companies let themselves down over product support..

 

[floppybootstomp]

Just had an rma number from Aria, so looking good

Now I'm going down the pub, the sun is shining...