Q: Do I only need wireless card in my laptop?

I am expecting my new Dell Notebook to arrive next month with a wireless
card installed (an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal).

I have also purchased a Linksys wireless router so I can use my notebook
anywhere in my house with a Dell desktop as the host (in my bedroom).

I just need a simple question answered by you gurus.

Do I need a wireless card in my desktop (the hub/host) - or only in my
notebook? The reason I ask is the Linksys manual says to connect an Ethernet
cable between the router and my ADSL modem.

So I would need to disconnect the Ethernet cable between my desktop and the
cable modem. Therefore I am left wondering how does the desktop "talk to"
the ADSL modem (and the wireless router)?

Michael

"Michael T" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2005 12:32:49 -0700

I am expecting my new Dell Notebook to arrive next month with a
wireless card installed (an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal).

I have also purchased a Linksys wireless router so I can use my
notebook anywhere in my house with a Dell desktop as the host
(in my bedroom).

I just need a simple question answered by you gurus.

Do I need a wireless card in my desktop (the hub/host) - or
only in my notebook? The reason I ask is the Linksys manual
says to connect an Ethernet cable between the router and my
ADSL modem.

So I would need to disconnect the Ethernet cable between my
desktop and the cable modem. Therefore I am left wondering how
does the desktop "talk to" the ADSL modem (and the wireless
router)?

Hi Michael... Using an ADSL and a wireless router, it doesn't really
make much difference what is wired and what isn't. Although I like
to have at least one computer wired. As this allows one to configure
wireless communications without worrying about the wireless setup
incorrectly or even turned off.

So no, if the desktop computer is close enough for the cable to
reach between the router and ADSL modem, no need to use wireless.
You will need an Ethernet card or something though to interface with
the router and ADSL though.

Does this answer your questions? Also don't forget about wireless
security. As a hacker can see wireless signals up to 50 miles away.
Thus meaning on the security settings (WPA is the best), can logon
to your network wirelessly.




Cheers!


______________________________________________
Bill (using a Toshiba 2595XDVD & Windows 98SE)
-- written and edited within WordStar 5.0

Now I get it Bill - thanks to your post. It motivitaed me to do some
additional research.

Since I was able to download the Linksys manual before taking delivery I was
able to see a view of the back panel.

So it looks like the following scenario will work (with my desktop wired as
you suggested).

Desktop NIC (network card) >>> wireless router >> ADSL modem >>> phone
outlet (for DSL interface)

Thank you for the security tip also. It appears my Linksys is WPA certified.

Michael
..



"BillW50" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

Hi Michael... Using an ADSL and a wireless router, it doesn't really
make much difference what is wired and what isn't. Although I like
to have at least one computer wired. As this allows one to configure
wireless communications without worrying about the wireless setup
incorrectly or even turned off.

So no, if the desktop computer is close enough for the cable to
reach between the router and ADSL modem, no need to use wireless.
You will need an Ethernet card or something though to interface with
the router and ADSL though.

Does this answer your questions? Also don't forget about wireless
security. As a hacker can see wireless signals up to 50 miles away.
Thus meaning on the security settings (WPA is the best), can logon
to your network wirelessly.

Cheers!


______________________________________________
Bill (using a Toshiba 2595XDVD & Windows 98SE)
-- written and edited within WordStar 5.0

If your Linksys router is relatively new, it is WPA2 capable, and your new Dell
probably will be also. But you have to turn this security on. Out of the box,
you will have no security at all. See
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html for some suggestions. Or Google for
wireless security.

If you read the Linksys manual you downloaded, you'll see how to do it by using
the router configuration pages at 192.168.0.1 (if I recall correctly, the
configuration wizard supplied by Linksys on the install CD may not give you all
the security options). All wireless devices need to be set to the same security
scheme (e.g., WPA2, WPA/TKIP, WEP) in addition to having the same passphrase.

Michael T wrote:

> Now I get it Bill - thanks to your post. It motivitaed me to do some
> additional research.
>
> Since I was able to download the Linksys manual before taking delivery I was
> able to see a view of the back panel.
>
> So it looks like the following scenario will work (with my desktop wired as
> you suggested).
>
> Desktop NIC (network card) >>> wireless router >> ADSL modem >>> phone
> outlet (for DSL interface)
>
> Thank you for the security tip also. It appears my Linksys is WPA certified.
>
> Michael
> .
>
> "BillW50" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> Hi Michael... Using an ADSL and a wireless router, it doesn't really
> make much difference what is wired and what isn't. Although I like
> to have at least one computer wired. As this allows one to configure
> wireless communications without worrying about the wireless setup
> incorrectly or even turned off.
>
> So no, if the desktop computer is close enough for the cable to
> reach between the router and ADSL modem, no need to use wireless.
> You will need an Ethernet card or something though to interface with
> the router and ADSL though.
>
> Does this answer your questions? Also don't forget about wireless
> security. As a hacker can see wireless signals up to 50 miles away.
> Thus meaning on the security settings (WPA is the best), can logon
> to your network wirelessly.
>
> Cheers!
>
> ______________________________________________
> Bill (using a Toshiba 2595XDVD & Windows 98SE)
> -- written and edited within WordStar 5.0




--
p

Michael T wrote:

> I am expecting my new Dell Notebook to arrive next month with a
> wireless card installed (an Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 Internal).
>
> I have also purchased a Linksys wireless router so I can use my
> notebook anywhere in my house with a Dell desktop as the host (in my
> bedroom).
>
> I just need a simple question answered by you gurus.
>
> Do I need a wireless card in my desktop (the hub/host) - or only in my
> notebook? The reason I ask is the Linksys manual says to connect an
> Ethernet cable between the router and my ADSL modem.
>
> So I would need to disconnect the Ethernet cable between my desktop
> and the cable modem. Therefore I am left wondering how does the
> desktop "talk to" the ADSL modem (and the wireless router)?
>
> Michael

You don't need a wireless adapter in your desktop if the desktop
connects to the ADSL model by ethernet. You'll install the Linksys
router to the desktop first. Put in the cd that comes with the router
and follow instructions. You'll set up the router by accessing it from
your browser. Change the SSID and set wireless network encryption. The
instructions are quite clear. Basically, the router is connected by
ethernet cable to the ADSL modem and your desktop is connected to the
router by ethernet.

Then you'll be able to connect with your laptop. Your laptop's wireless
adapter will scan for networks, find your wireless, and ask for the
encryption key. You'll enter it and then you'll be online. Here are
some links with additional information:

Linksys Learning Center
http://tinyurl.com/8ka4w

Wireless - Basic Configuration -
http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Config.html
Wireless - Basic Security - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
MVP Barb Bowman on wireless security - http://tinyurl.com/56fc5

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User