View Full Version : NETWORKING: Wireless & Wired?
Ok. Right now I have a 3 PC LAN set up on a SMC Barricade Router. I am hoping to get a laptop soon. Maybe a DELL, Sony or whatever. I am going to want to walk around my apartment using my laptop cause im' a computer nerd like that. Is there a wireless connection device that uplinks into a normal router? I don't want to have to buy wireless PCI cards for all the computers in my apartment. If there is, does SMC sell one? I like their router and their support is decent. Also, what kind of PC Card would I need for the laptop.
I'm using the SMC7004WBR (the new one is the SMC7004AWBR). It has 3 wired 10/100 ports, the print server, and the wireless server (serves up to 255 laptops). The SMC7004AWBR is about $180 now or so.
It wil interface with any 802.11b PC card. The $70 SMC one will work fine.
hapoo
10-14-2001, 08:37 PM
Yes there are devices that plug into a network and provide wireless access. They're called Access Points. SMC makes one, model SMC2655W. Or you can get a wireless router and just use it as a hub/access point like i'm doing. As for the PC card, any 802.11b compatable card will work.
Showtime
10-15-2001, 11:24 AM
how fast and stable is the wireless connection? i'm pretty sure you cant game with it.
2nd q: The wireless SMC etc, can you plug right into it for stability?
I have to set one up for the house and was thinking of running cables from living room to bedrooms but wireless may be a much better solution. I can set up for gaming in one room and everyone else can surf etc in their own rooms on the wireless. any thoughts would be appreciated........
hapoo
10-15-2001, 06:08 PM
802.11b standard wireless transfers max out at 11mbps. Theoretically it is fast enough to game... but in actuallity it all depends on where you are... if your antenna is powerfull enough you can access the network from miles away! but with the standard antenna that comes with most wireless access points your lucky if you can access the network from your driveway. As far as stability goes, if your using it for a non-moving computer and you can get a good connection between it and the access point then your fine, but for laptops it all depends on were you go with it.
So I live in an apartment complex. It's not big at all. But lets say theoretically I could go check my mail and still be typing here at the G|A Forums? The access point SAYS 1500 Ft.
MusashiM
10-15-2001, 09:03 PM
hey, hapoo...
so, if I wanted to set up a wireless network, desktop only, no laptops, as long as I had all the computers within 100' or so of the access point and no major obsticals like thick walls in between... everthing should work fine, right?
DoPeY5007
10-15-2001, 09:29 PM
Originally posted by MusashiM
hey, DoPeY5007...
so, if I wanted to set up a wireless network, desktop only, no laptops, as long as I had all the computers within 100' or so of the access point and no major obsticals like thick walls in between... everthing should work fine, right?
Yes :D
Jeffbx
10-16-2001, 05:46 AM
Originally posted by the jello is jigglin
how fast and stable is the wireless connection? i'm pretty sure you cant game with it.
Do you play on the Internet? The wireless connection is a helluva lot faster than most internet connections. Now I wouldn't have a big LAN party on it, but if you have 3 or 4 people gaming it'll work fine. You'll typically see throughput at around 2-8Mbps, depending on your WAP, your antenna, interference, the phase of the moon, etc.
hapoo
10-16-2001, 02:50 PM
Originally posted by UT Memo
So I live in an apartment complex. It's not big at all. But lets say theoretically I could go check my mail and still be typing here at the G|A Forums? The access point SAYS 1500 Ft.
Yes you can... as a matter of fact i'm typing on my laptop right now. 1500ft is assuming there is nothing in the way between you and the access point.
Originally posted by MusashiM
hey, hapoo...
so, if I wanted to set up a wireless network, desktop only, no laptops, as long as I had all the computers within 100' or so of the access point and no major obsticals like thick walls in between... everthing should work fine, right?
yep, It SHOULD work fine... test it out.
one major thing i forgot to mention is the severe flaws in the wep encryption system. Simply put, anyone with a little time on their hands who can get close enough to your access point COULD potentially hack into your network with little effort.
Originally posted by hapoo
Yes you can... as a matter of fact i'm typing on my laptop right now. 1500ft is assuming there is nothing in the way between you and the access point.
yep, It SHOULD work fine... test it out.
one major thing i forgot to mention is the severe flaws in the wep encryption system. Simply put, anyone with a little time on their hands who can get close enough to your access point COULD potentially hack into your network with little effort.
Unless, of course, you specify MAC addresses.
Jeffbx
10-17-2001, 04:50 AM
Originally posted by Apex
Unless, of course, you specify MAC addresses.
There's ways around that, too ;)
You can sniff the packets, because (unless they've corrected it) most mfrs still broadcast the MAC address authentication in plain text. If they grab a valid MAC address, it's possible to spoof that MAC on a different card. (Whoa! I DID learn something from that security conference last year!)
Of course, the odds of someone with these skills living close by you are pretty slim...
hapoo
10-17-2001, 02:45 PM
Originally posted by Jeffbx
Of course, the odds of someone with these skills living close by you are pretty slim...
I am that person... muhahahaha :D
Before you buy an access point, get a card, and see if you can connect to the internet through someone else's connection. There may be someone nearby that has an open network. It could save you a bit of money. Of course, you wouldn't be able to see your other computers, but if you needed to see them, you could plug the laptop into the hub.
DoPeY5007
10-17-2001, 08:07 PM
Originally posted by i6s1
Before you buy an access point, get a card, and see if you can connect to the internet through someone else's connection. There may be someone nearby that has an open network. It could save you a bit of money. Of course, you wouldn't be able to see your other computers, but if you needed to see them, you could plug the laptop into the hub.
LOL
that's funny, but a good idea....
heheheh
I think I may try that!!!.... :heh:
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