Lady-in-Distress needs your help Re.WiFi Connections please!

-Hello All, I hope you can push me in the right direction regarding the
MINEFIELD I've found with WiFi networking!

To start then this is what I want to do. I tried before Christmas and
it all went horribly wrong, I took the stuff back for refund and now
want to try again.

A] 1 PC, 1 Laptop. Want to be able to access the Internet (maybe both
machines at the same time if possible).

B] I live in the country so although the security side of it (WEP,
WPA/PSK) is important, I'm not likely to have
neighbours/nasty-people-in-Vans-parked-outside stealing info.

C] Neither PC or Lappy has wireless adapter inside - I need dongles or
PC Adapter card

Is it possible to a) Hard-wire WiFi modem/router into back of PC then
b) install dongle/or PC Adapter in lappy, rather than have dongles in
BOTH PC and lappy? OR do I need to use dongles/adapter cards in BOTH PC
AND lappy?

Which TYPE of modem/router do I need? There are sooo many
types/standards, difficult for the absolute beginner to know WHICH one
to go for, but I think (after reading a lot online) G+ probably OK? What
about N standard? And what is MIMO ?

D] Next question is - What's the best manufacturer? There are quite a
few sets costing in the £40 -s now, as there are in the £90 -s - Belkin,
NetGear, Buffalo, etc etc. Which seems to be the Easiest and mist
reliable please, but not costing the Earth?

E] BT customer, not Cable.

Sadly, because I live out-in-the-sticks, I can only have BB connection
of 512 anyway, but as long as it doesn't degrade slower than this it's
fine. Just need to wait for BT to get their act together for us
country-bumpkins!!

I'd be very grateful if someone could help me out with this.

Thank you,

xxx-


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View this thread: http://www.wirelessforums.org/showthread.php?t=38421
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On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 10:18:44 -0500, Snowdrop
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

>A] 1 PC, 1 Laptop. Want to be able to access the Internet (maybe both
>machines at the same time if possible).

Definitely possible.

>B] I live in the country so although the security side of it (WEP,
>WPA/PSK) is important, I'm not likely to have
>neighbours/nasty-people-in-Vans-parked-outside stealing info.

Risky assumption. No good reason not to use WPA with a strong
passphrase.

>C] Neither PC or Lappy has wireless adapter inside - I need dongles or
>PC Adapter card

Or non-dongle USB adapter. Or wireless Ethernet client bridge.

>Is it possible to a) Hard-wire WiFi modem/router into back of PC then
>b) install dongle/or PC Adapter in lappy, rather than have dongles in
>BOTH PC and lappy? OR do I need to use dongles/adapter cards in BOTH PC
>AND lappy?

Hard wire? You mean connect the PC with Ethernet to the router instead
of wireless? Sure. Pretty much all wireless routers include a number
of wired ports. The PC can be wired or wireless, and the laptop can be
wired or wireless.

>Which TYPE of modem/router do I need? There are sooo many
>types/standards, difficult for the absolute beginner to know WHICH one
>to go for, but I think (after reading a lot online) G+ probably OK? What
>about N standard? And what is MIMO ?

Forget about all the marketing crap. All you need is good quality
802.11g wireless.

>D] Next question is - What's the best manufacturer? There are quite a
>few sets costing in the £40 -s now, as there are in the £90 -s - Belkin,
>NetGear, Buffalo, etc etc. Which seems to be the Easiest and mist
>reliable please, but not costing the Earth?

My favorite brand is Buffalo, but that gear is now barred from the US
market due to a patent dispute. Belkin is bottom of the barrel.
Hawking is cheap and decent. Likewise Netgear, D-Link and Linksys.
Also TRENDnet. Suggest:

* Linksys WRT54GL Wireless Router (note the L)
* Netgear WG511 PC Card

>E] BT customer, not Cable.

DSL? Then you'll want a DSL modem with an Ethernet connection for the
wireless router.

>I'd be very grateful if someone could help me out with this.

The wiki below has lots of useful information.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

John Navas wrote:
> On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 10:18:44 -0500, Snowdrop
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <(E-Mail Removed)>:
>
>
>> E] BT customer, not Cable.
>
> DSL?

I guess she's in the UK, where BT are the phone network provider and who
provide ADSL in many cases.

To the OP: does your existing ISP-supplied modem have an ethernet port?
If not, put it away in a cupboard and look for a wireless ADSL-ready
router.

Snowdrop,
if you only getting 512kb/s you are long way from your exchange and will
have problem with signal attenuation and SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio).
By far the best WiFi router I have found for those condition is BT1800,
BT1801 or BT 2700 made by 2Wire (US co).
BT used to provide them to business customers, but you can buy them on Ebay
from £5 !
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BT-Openworld-I...QQcmdZViewItem

If you have trouble with the link, just look for item No. 300196277935

As for receivers:
WiFi travels in mysterious ways and you don't always get a good signal where
you need it, and sometimes couple of inches makes all the difference.
The problem with PCI cards is that it is likely to be positioned under a
desk or at least low down and the computer case itself shields the aerial.
And you can't very well put it where it would work best.
In my experience and USB adaptor with stand and length of cable (can be up
to 5m) is the best solution.
You can easily position it where you get the best signal, often higher is
better, and if need be you can put a simple V folded card covered with
aluminium foil on a side behind the USB dongle.
D-Link G122 works so well for me, I bought 2 more now.
Again, you can find them on Ebay.
Regards,
Martin

On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:14:58 +0000, Mark McIntyre
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<mclrj.4345$(E-Mail Removed)>:

>John Navas wrote:
>> On Sat, 9 Feb 2008 10:18:44 -0500, Snowdrop
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> <(E-Mail Removed)>:
>>
>>> E] BT customer, not Cable.
>>
>> DSL?
>
>I guess she's in the UK, where BT are the phone network provider and who
>provide ADSL in many cases.
>
>To the OP: does your existing ISP-supplied modem have an ethernet port?
>If not, put it away in a cupboard and look for a wireless ADSL-ready
>router.

Better yet, look for a DSL modem with an Ethernet port.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

John Navas wrote:
> On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:14:58 +0000, Mark McIntyre
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <mclrj.4345$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>
>> To the OP: does your existing ISP-supplied modem have an ethernet port?
>> If not, put it away in a cupboard and look for a wireless ADSL-ready
>> router.
>
> Better yet, look for a DSL modem with an Ethernet port.

At double the cost and complexity.

In fact I agree in most cases, but for someone fairly nontechnical,
having to buy and configure two separate pieces of kit is probably
excessive.

--
Mark McIntyre

CLC FAQ <http://c-faq.com/>
CLC readme: <http://www.ungerhu.com/jxh/clc.welcome.txt>

On Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:08:21 +0000, Mark McIntyre
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<q2Arj.4348$(E-Mail Removed)>:

>John Navas wrote:
>> On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:14:58 +0000, Mark McIntyre
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> <mclrj.4345$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>>
>>> To the OP: does your existing ISP-supplied modem have an ethernet port?
>>> If not, put it away in a cupboard and look for a wireless ADSL-ready
>>> router.
>>
>> Better yet, look for a DSL modem with an Ethernet port.
>
>At double the cost and complexity.

Not that much more expensive, not at all complex, and much easier to
deal with individual pieces. IMHO at least.

>In fact I agree in most cases, but for someone fairly nontechnical,
>having to buy and configure two separate pieces of kit is probably
>excessive.

I personally think it's usually better in the long run.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Mark McIntyre <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>John Navas wrote:
>> On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:14:58 +0000, Mark McIntyre
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> <mclrj.4345$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>>
>>> To the OP: does your existing ISP-supplied modem have an ethernet port?
>>> If not, put it away in a cupboard and look for a wireless ADSL-ready
>>> router.
>>
>> Better yet, look for a DSL modem with an Ethernet port.

>At double the cost and complexity.

Not if the ISP subsidizes the DSL modem as AT&T does. It's also not
double as DSL modems are available on eBay for literally the cost of
shipping.

>In fact I agree in most cases, but for someone fairly nontechnical,
>having to buy and configure two separate pieces of kit is probably
>excessive.

Well, there are a few situations where an all in one box is a bad
idea.

1. Intrusion detection. The traffic sniffer goes between the modem
and router. The connection point is inaccessible in a conglomerated
package.
2. Moving from a DSL to a cable modem or shared internet environment
requires the replacement of the wireless router. If the modem and
router were in seperate boxes, only the modem would need to be
replaced.
3. Location, location, and location. DSL phone cables tend to live
near the floor. Wireless devices like to live up high for best
coverage. Putting the DSL/wireless router conglomeration near the
floor usually results in lousy range. With seperate boxes, it's much
easier to optimize the locations.
4. The latest fashion in DSL/wireless/router combinations is to have
only one ethernet port due to lack of panel space to handle added
features such as a USB printer port. Adding wired computers usually
involves adding an ethernet switch.
5. DSL modems are often sensitive to digital and RF noise. I have an
(unconfirmed) suspicion that some of the odd DSL performance issues
I'm seeing ocassionally are due to RF getting into the DSL front end.
6. It's MUCH easier to troubleshoot networking problems if you can
easily replace a functional section.
7. Mutliple boxes are cool looking and give everyone the impression
that you're a networking geek. Impress your friends.

Incidentally, the secret to successfully interconnecting a mess of
consumer networking boxes is to use very flexible stranded CAT5
interconnection cable. The modem and wireless boxes are so light,
that they slide around on a shelf. The stiff CAT5 wire makes stacking
boxes difficult, but stranded works nicely.

--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

John Navas wrote:
> On Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:08:21 +0000, Mark McIntyre
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <q2Arj.4348$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>
>> John Navas wrote:
>>> On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:14:58 +0000, Mark McIntyre
>>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>>> <mclrj.4345$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>>>
>>>> To the OP: does your existing ISP-supplied modem have an ethernet port?
>>>> If not, put it away in a cupboard and look for a wireless ADSL-ready
>>>> router.
>>> Better yet, look for a DSL modem with an Ethernet port.
>> At double the cost and complexity.
>
> Not that much more expensive,

In the UK, APs are often MORE expensive than ADSL-ready wireless
routers. For example one online retailer has a cheap wireless router for
£25, while their cheapest AP is £31 and cheapest wired router is about
£20. To get name-brands (ie not generic own-brand, belkin or edimax),
you have to step up by about a fiver on each.

> not at all complex, and much easier to
> deal with individual pieces. IMHO at least.

I would tend to agree but often all-in-one units come with all-in-one
instructions and all-in-one idiot-proof configs.

Myself, I have a wired router attached to a cable modem, with two
wireless routers acting as APs hanging off the end of cat5 from the
'main' router.

Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> Mark McIntyre <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:
>
>> John Navas wrote:
>>> On Sat, 09 Feb 2008 17:14:58 +0000, Mark McIntyre
>>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>>> <mclrj.4345$(E-Mail Removed)>:
>>>
>>>> To the OP: does your existing ISP-supplied modem have an ethernet port?
>>>> If not, put it away in a cupboard and look for a wireless ADSL-ready
>>>> router.
>>> Better yet, look for a DSL modem with an Ethernet port.
>
>> At double the cost and complexity.
>
> Not if the ISP subsidizes the DSL modem as AT&T does.

Agreed. However many UK ISPs supply a USB_only DSL modem, with the
option of a one-port router for extra cash.

> It's also not
> double as DSL modems are available on eBay for literally the cost of
> shipping.

I make a point of never buying stuff from ebay that I actually need to
rely on to function.... :-)

> Well, there are a few situations where an all in one box is a bad
> idea.

I don't disagree at all.

> Incidentally, the secret to successfully interconnecting a mess of
> consumer networking boxes is to use very flexible stranded CAT5
> interconnection cable. The modem and wireless boxes are so light,
> that they slide around on a shelf. The stiff CAT5 wire makes stacking
> boxes difficult, but stranded works nicely.

I wallmounted all mine and used custom-made cabling cut to length.