Need Help to Set Up Wireless Network

Hi, I am new here and I wish to set up my first wireless network. I am
looking for a system that is as simple and as reliable as possible
with no dead spots.

I have been looking at some wireless routers and adapters like
buffalo, Linksys, etc., but I am confused about which equipment is
best for my application.

Here are my specs: I live in a 2500 sq ft house with stucco outside
walls and standard interior walls.The best place for the router would
be next to my desk and primary computer. The routher could stand on
top of a file cabnet about 5 ft from ground. The longest wireless run
from this location would be about 110 ft.This distance would cover my
entire house. I wish to reach two desktop computers that are probably
about 75 ft from the base loaction as the crow flys. However, their
signal would have to go through 2-3 sets of walls and or glass to get
to the desktops or it would have to go a longer way and wind it's way
through a narrow hall. The two desktops are older computers(yr 2000)
that have pre 1.0 or probably 1.1 USB ports. . They have network cards
but don't have wireless adaptors. I am planning on upgrading these
units in the next 2-3 mos to modern vista based computers.
I also will purchase a new laptop and uprgrade my base computer in
the next 6 months. It will go from XP to Vista.

I will be using this system for surfing the net, sharing some files
and my children wish to use it to GAME against each other. I get my
interent service through cox cable.

So which wireless router is best for me? What adaptors should I buy
with it?

I should add that I also have an HP all in one printer that is
wireless enabled. I would like this to be the sole printer for all of
my computers.

On May 27, 8:20 am, lifeisfun <grana...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi, I am new here and I wish to set up my first wireless network. I am
> looking for a system that is as simple and as reliable as possible
> with no dead spots.
>
> I have been looking at some wireless routers and adapters like
> buffalo, Linksys, etc., but I am confused about which equipment is
> best for my application.
>
> Here are my specs: I live in a 2500 sq ft house with stucco outside
> walls and standard interior walls.The best place for the router would
> be next to my desk and primary computer. The routher could stand on
> top of a file cabnet about 5 ft from ground. The longest wireless run
> from this location would be about 110 ft.This distance would cover my
> entire house. I wish to reach two desktop computers that are probably
> about 75 ft from the base loaction as the crow flys. However, their
> signal would have to go through 2-3 sets of walls and or glass to get
> to the desktops or it would have to go a longer way and wind it's way
> through a narrow hall. The two desktops are older computers(yr 2000)
> that have pre 1.0 or probably 1.1 USB ports. . They have network cards
> but don't have wireless adaptors. I am planning on upgrading these
> units in the next 2-3 mos to modern vista based computers.
> I also will purchase a new laptop and uprgrade my base computer in
> the next 6 months. It will go from XP to Vista.
>

Why such a hurry to go to Vista when most products are still not
compatible with vista yet noit to mention holes in vista.

> I will be using this system for surfing the net, sharing some files
> and my children wish to use it to GAME against each other. I get my
> interent service through cox cable.
>
> So which wireless router is best for me? What adaptors should I buy
> with it?

For router, get one that complies to either Wireless-G (802.11g) or
Wireless-N (802.11n).
Brand could be Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear.
http://www.Linksys.com
http://www.D-Link.com
http://www.netgear.com/

Some example that complies to 802.11g are
Linksys Routers : model WRT54G, WRT54GS, WRT54GS, etc. See
http://tinyurl.com/r7x5p
(This Linksys page alos shows adaptors.)

DLink Routers: DI 624, DI-524S (See http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=390)
Do not go with models lower than those mentioned above.

Wirelss cards would be cheaper and more stable than adaptors if you
have PCI slots to install them. If not, use
Wireless USB adaptor. Find compatible ones to the routers on
manufacturer's website. Do not get brands other than Linksys, DLink,
Netgear. Examples of wireless USB adaptors are are DLink DWL G122,
DWL G132 will work with DLink router DI 624 and DI-524S, etc.

If the adaptors do not work well, get the more expensive ones with
range boosters. Better not to buy online untill yoiu get the ones
that work well.

On May 27, 9:24 am, lifeisfun <grana...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I should add that I also have an HP all in one printer that is
> wireless enabled. I would like this to be the sole printer for all of
> my computers.

That printer can connect to the wireless network established with the
routers easily. Any computer that gets onto the home wirless network
would be able to print tp that printer oncve the driver for the
printer is installed on those computers.

> Why such a hurry to go to Vista when most products are still not
> compatible with vista yet noit to mention holes in vista.

I am not in a hurry to go to Vista, but two of my computers are in bad
need of repalcement and I might as well go with Vista on the new
system instead of XP otherwise I will have to buy the operating
software twice. On my base computer I am going to wait until the end
of the year.



> For router, get one that complies to either Wireless-G (802.11g) or
> Wireless-N (802.11n).
> Brand could be Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear.http://www.Linksys.comhttp://www.D-L...w.netgear.com/

I am not sure if G is sufficient for my situation. What do you think?
If it's not, I have been told that Mimo is a better choice than N.
They say that the N is still not as proven as the Mimo and N costs
alot more.


> Some example that complies to 802.11g are
> Linksys Routers : model WRT54G, WRT54GS, WRT54GS, etc. Seehttp://tinyurl.com/r7x5p
> (This Linksys page alos shows adaptors.)

What do you think of the Linksys SRX400 Mimo router? Also what do you
think of the suto mimo router that Buffalo makes?


>> Wirelss cards would be cheaper and more stable than adaptors if you
> have PCI slots to install them. If not, use
> Wireless USB adaptor. Find compatible ones to the routers on
> manufacturer's website. Do not get brands other than Linksys, DLink,
> Netgear. Examples of wireless USB adaptors are are DLink DWL G122,
> DWL G132 will work with DLink router DI 624 and DI-524S, etc.



Also, I have heard that the USB adaptors are very poor vs the PCI
cards. Is this true? The Buffalo uses an ethernet station that hooks
into the ethernet card instead of using a pci card. What do you think
of this?

Thank you for your help

On 27 May 2007 17:40:03 -0700, lifeisfun <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

<snip>
>
>I am not in a hurry to go to Vista, but two of my computers are in bad
>need of repalcement and I might as well go with Vista on the new
>system instead of XP otherwise I will have to buy the operating
>software twice. On my base computer I am going to wait until the end
>of the year.
>
>
Are you under the impression XP will suddenly stop working one day? Why will you
_have_ to buy an OS twice? I mean, it's your call of course, but I would
personally recommend someone sticks with XP until Vista is at SP2 at least.
Right now it's a buggy & bloated mess. MS needs more time to work out the kinks.

On May 27, 5:40 pm, lifeisfun <grana...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Why such a hurry to go to Vista when most products are still not
> > compatible with vista yet noit to mention holes in vista.
>
> I am not in a hurry to go to Vista, but two of my computers are in bad
> need of repalcement and I might as well go with Vista on the new
> system instead of XP otherwise I will have to buy the operating
> software twice.

If you already have XP installed int here, and now if you re-install,
why would have you have to buy another license again? Think about it.

>On my base computer I am going to wait until the end
> of the year.
>
> > For router, get one that complies to either Wireless-G (802.11g) or
> > Wireless-N (802.11n).
> > Brand could be Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear.http://www.Linksys.comhttp://www.D-L...w.netgear.com/
>
> I am not sure if G is sufficient for my situation. What do you think?

Try and see it for yourself.


> If it's not, I have been told that Mimo is a better choice than N.
> They say that the N is still not as proven as the Mimo and N costs
> alot more.

If I were you, I'd try G first.

>
> > Some example that complies to 802.11g are
> > Linksys Routers : model WRT54G, WRT54GS, WRT54GS, etc. Seehttp://tinyurl.com/r7x5p
> > (This Linksys page alos shows adaptors.)
>
> What do you think of the Linksys SRX400 Mimo router? Also what do you
> think of the suto mimo router that Buffalo makes?

No clue. You have to do research and or test and decide. Router setup
is not that difficult.

>
> >> Wirelss cards would be cheaper and more stable than adaptors if you
> > have PCI slots to install them. If not, use
> > Wireless USB adaptor. Find compatible ones to the routers on
> > manufacturer's website. Do not get brands other than Linksys, DLink,
> > Netgear. Examples of wireless USB adaptors are are DLink DWL G122,
> > DWL G132 will work with DLink router DI 624 and DI-524S, etc.
>
> Also, I have heard that the USB adaptors are very poor vs the PCI
> cards. Is this true? The Buffalo uses an ethernet station that hooks
> into the ethernet card instead of using a pci card. What do you think
> of this?

Again, test and see what works for you.

>
> Thank you for your help

>
> If you already have XP installed int here, and now if you re-install,
> why would have you have to buy another license again? Think about it.

My version of windows is OEM from Dell. I believe this means that you
are not supposed to install it on any other computer besides the
original one. If you buy a new computer with a different motherboard
you are supposed to buy new software.

Hi.

The current favorite of the inexpensive G routers is the Buffalo WHR-
HP-54G.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

It's reasonably powerful and reliable and can take after-market
firmware if needed for extra features someday. Other routers will
work, but this is one that has been giving good results for many in
the last year or so.

As far as G vs Mimo vs N, well, Mimo is what N is supposed to be. It
MAY be that Mimo or pre-N (N is not set as a standard yet) will work
better in your environment, but the general advice these days is to
wait until it all gets sorted out. Thus the recommendation for the
Buffalo HP.

On the client end, the Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP ethernet adapter you
mentioned is a good choice especially if you have two or more
computers together in the same room so that they could both benefit
from sharing the same device. This would work well with your existing
ethernet NICs as well. Less to buy, less to configure.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162168

As far as going through 2 - 3 sheetrock walls, that sounds possible
but getting iffy. Better if you can line it up so that it's windows
rather than walls whenever possible. There is a chart here:
http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Indoor. Read that wiki to inform
yourself and see the link calculations.

You might start out with these two devices and then see how your
connection is across the house. If it's not good enough, then you can
put a higher gain antenna on the ethernet adapter and/or the router.

The thing about choosing antennas is checking out the pattern it has
and seeing what you need to cover. If the router is on one end of the
house, then go directional with a panel antenna for it. If it's more
in the middle, then you must go with an omni, like the included
antenna, but there are higher gain omnis.

The ethernet adapter will want a directional panel antenna, if
needed.

Again, see how the connection is with the included antennas before
buying higher gain ones. You might need two, or just one. Come back
here and ask for antenna suggestions once you have tested the devices
in place.

This G system with an ethernet adapter as client will work regardless
of your OS or computer. You don't say where your laptop is going to
be located, but it's probably going to have built-in wifi and won't be
N, so that's another reason to just go with G and get higher gain
antenna for the router if needed.

__________________________________________________ ____________________

Another option to get across the house is powerline networking. You
would still get the wireless router, but instead of the ethernet
adapter for the far end, you get this:

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...rs/XE103G.aspx

It would require an ethernet switch at the far end to give you more
than one connection.

Or this: http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...s/WGXB102.aspx

It would require that your remote pcs have their own wireless client
adapters.



Cheers,
Steve

Hi Steve,



> The current favorite of the inexpensive G routers is the Buffalo WHR-
> HP-54G.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134
>
> It's reasonably powerful and reliable and can take after-market
> firmware if needed for extra features someday. Other routers will
> work, but this is one that has been giving good results for many in
> the last year or so.

This looks like it's worth a try. For under $60 for the router, I
don't have alot to loose.




>
> On the client end, the Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP ethernet adapter you
> mentioned is a good choice especially if you have two or more
> computers together in the same room so that they could both benefit
> from sharing the same device. This would work well with your existing
> ethernet NICs as well. Less to buy, less to configure.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162168

Unfortunately, I can't string wire between each computer and a single
ethernet adaptor. So I suppose I will have to purchase two of them. I
think that the buffalo PCI cards are about $30 each, but they are just
standard high speed G and don't give the MIMO effect. So as I said I
think I just need two of the above item.


> As far as going through 2 - 3 sheetrock walls, that sounds possible
> but getting iffy. Better if you can line it up so that it's windows
> rather than walls whenever possible. There is a chart here:http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Indoor. Read that wiki to inform
> yourself and see the link calculations.
>

Yes this looks problematic. What really concerns me is that the
enclosed kitchen is between me and the rest of the house. The kitchen
is full of appliances and cabinets.There is no straight unobstructed
path between the base unit and the other two computers.


You don't say where your laptop is going to
> be located, but it's probably going to have built-in wifi and won't be
> N, so that's another reason to just go with G and get higher gain
> antenna for the router if needed.


I would like to use the laptop all over the house. Mostly within 75ft
from base station. But there are many obstructions.
__________________________________________________ ____________________
>
> Another option to get across the house is powerline networking. You
> would still get the wireless router, but instead of the ethernet
> adapter for the far end, you get this:
>
> http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...erlineEthernet...
>

Powerline networking sounds like a good way to go if I just can't get
the wireless to work. At some point I guess I could just pay someone
to put in jacks and string wire, but I am sure this is an $1000 plus
job to do a neat job. Steve, Thanks for the good ideas. Unless anyone
has anything to add in the next day or two, I think that I am going to
give that Buffalo system a try.

I'd weigh in on the Linksys WRT54 routers. I have a lot of customers
who buy our antennae for those routers and they are mighty happy with
the performance - speed and range.

No comment on the Bufallo gear. D-Link range is OK, and if you need
better performance, go for our R-SMA dipole antennae at
http://www.confero24.com/product_inf...-24-ghz-dipole

On XP or Vista, I'd pay some attention to a recent announcement from
Dell to offer Win-XP for a couple of more years. Any which way we
look, 1) XP will be around of 2-3 years and most software providers
will support them and 2) Vista will need about that much time to
stabilize. There are really a lot of problems with Vista we hear
about these days. Also it demands higher hardware resources (about 2
times the RAM and processor that needed for RAM) and about twice the
cost.

Have fun!
www.confero24.com

On May 29, 12:26 am, lifeisfun <grana...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Steve,
>
> > The current favorite of the inexpensive G routers is the Buffalo WHR-
> > HP-54G.
>
> >http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134
>
> > It's reasonably powerful and reliable and can take after-market
> > firmware if needed for extra features someday. Other routers will
> > work, but this is one that has been giving good results for many in
> > the last year or so.
>
> This looks like it's worth a try. For under $60 for the router, I
> don't have alot to loose.
>
>
>
> > On the client end, the Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP ethernet adapter you
> > mentioned is a good choice especially if you have two or more
> > computers together in the same room so that they could both benefit
> > from sharing the same device. This would work well with your existing
> > ethernet NICs as well. Less to buy, less to configure.
>
> >http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162168
>
> Unfortunately, I can't string wire between each computer and a single
> ethernet adaptor. So I suppose I will have to purchase two of them. I
> think that the buffalo PCI cards are about $30 each, but they are just
> standard high speed G and don't give the MIMO effect. So as I said I
> think I just need two of the above item.
>
> > As far as going through 2 - 3 sheetrock walls, that sounds possible
> > but getting iffy. Better if you can line it up so that it's windows
> > rather than walls whenever possible. There is a chart here:http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Indoor. Read that wiki to inform
> > yourself and see the link calculations.
>
> Yes this looks problematic. What really concerns me is that the
> enclosed kitchen is between me and the rest of the house. The kitchen
> is full of appliances and cabinets.There is no straight unobstructed
> path between the base unit and the other two computers.
>
> You don't say where your laptop is going to
>
> > be located, but it's probably going to have built-in wifi and won't be
> > N, so that's another reason to just go with G and get higher gain
> > antenna for the router if needed.
>
> I would like to use the laptop all over the house. Mostly within 75ft
> from base station. But there are many obstructions.
> __________________________________________________ ____________________
>
>
>
> > Another option to get across the house is powerline networking. You
> > would still get the wireless router, but instead of the ethernet
> > adapter for the far end, you get this:
>
> >http://www.netgear.com/Products/Powe...erlineEthernet...
>
> Powerline networking sounds like a good way to go if I just can't get
> the wireless to work. At some point I guess I could just pay someone
> to put in jacks and string wire, but I am sure this is an $1000 plus
> job to do a neat job. Steve, Thanks for the good ideas. Unless anyone
> has anything to add in the next day or two, I think that I am going to
> give that Buffalo system a try.