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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by ReNo on Sat Jun 11th at 4:57pm 2005

I just recently moved back to my family home, and want to setup a wireless network in order to share the ADSL connection with my parent's PC. At the moment we only have a USB modem so we would have to buy a router and modem regardless, and wireless just saves on the hassle of leading wires through the house.

My thinking is to get a wireless router/modem, sit it next to the ADSL line and the family PC and have them wired together, and then put a wireless PCI card in my own PC across the house.

I've had a look around and there are few suitable modem/routers around for reasonable prices (?65-80 is what I'm thinking). The problem is that each one I look into for reviews and the like, comes up with loads of negative comments and bad connection horror stories. Normally people have posted suggestions of other ones to get instead, but when you look up info on those, you just hear more horror stories and suggestions of yet another one. It doesn't seem like one is particularly better than another, and I'm inclined to think its often due to people not having set them up properly, but it is disheartening when each one I look up has bad reviews from consumers.

Has anybody here done wireless networking, and have any tips they could give me or suggest any products? Below are a few of the ones I'm considering...

http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/modemsandadslhardware/productView.htm?quicklinx=2Z9M
http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/modemsandadslhardware/productView.htm?quicklinx=2VCD
http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/modemsandadslhardware/productView.htm?quicklinx=3k24




Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by KingNic on Sat Jun 11th at 5:50pm 2005

I'm not sure what products are good and what-not with wireless networking, but here's a few gripes that I've got with my setup:

-Windows XP likes to disconnect from the wireless network and search for new ones every minute or so. To stop it doing this, disable the "Wireless network zero configuration" service. It'll be iffy trying to connect to networks for the first time when the service is disabled, but once it's connected to the network once, it seems to have no problem connecting on startup when the service is disabled.

-I have the second router you linked to, but with 802.11b. I've found that when I'm downloading large files, the network seems to cut out and I can't access the net for several hours. No idea why, no definate cause of it, and no idea how to fix itcompletely. I have found that it seems to be just the wireless that cuts out, so I normally connect directly to the router with a cable. Not sure if it's a problem with the model you've shown, but just giving you a heads up if you do get that one.

-The Wireless is SLOW. SLOW SLOW SLOW. Even .11g seems to be too slow for heavy LAN gaming or file transfer. Use the wireless for the internet, but keep a network cable spare.



-KingNic

-Slapping polygons together incoherently since 2000



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by gimpinthesink on Sat Jun 11th at 6:13pm 2005

You dont need to buy a router you can set one pc up to share the internet connection and there are also some little wireless usb dongles that allow the pcs to be connected to each other.

Thats a cheaper way of doing it. My mate has his set up like that,

I;d go for a router and have it all wired but thats just cos I like to make my own cables.


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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by ReNo on Sat Jun 11th at 6:53pm 2005

Yeah in the past we had a hub that connected the two PC's, and had the USB modem plugged into one and setup internet connection sharing. This was ok, but unfortunately our hub has gone missing for some reason, and our PC's are now quite some distance apart. It also isn't ideal to need one of the computers on to have a working net connection on the other, and it isn't a very extendable setup for adding Xbox's and the like. We would rather do it properly and invest in a more permanent and extendable setup.

That said, what Kingnic said is exactly what I've been reading about loads. Is wireless just that unreliable at the moment? Is it really best off to get wired, as there are no wireless setups that offer reliable and speedy connections?




Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Crono on Sat Jun 11th at 6:56pm 2005

Wireless is very slow.

You can get a wireless router, which will also have CAT5 lines (Don't know if any support CAT6).

I strongly suggest only using wireless for Laptops. With desktops, the signal will be terrible and you'd probably have to buy signal boosters throughout your house and move all the computers.

In otherwords, it'd be cheaper to wire your house with CAT5/6 lines then to buy signal boosters (Which you WILL need).

Your signal may get interfeared by other signals and crap out on you.

You must spend a good chunk of time securing your network. Go through put a password on the router, put it in MAC address mode (it will only allow computers whose MAC addresses it knows to be on the network) and many other things, you don't want leechers.

Linksys is good. I have Belkin, it's okay.

But overall, I'd strongly suggest not abandoning the wires just yet.

[EDIT]

? quote:

Is wireless just that unreliable at the moment? Is it really best off to get wired, as there are no wireless setups that offer reliable and speedy connections?

Yes, they're very inreliable, in general. Unless you live in Seattle. They're making a city wide wireless tower or something stupid thing.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by satchmo on Sat Jun 11th at 8:19pm 2005

I have a wireless network setup at the apartment, and it can be quite frustrating. The connection cuts out at random times, but thankfully it's not that often. Frequently, I have to unplug the USB wireless receiver from the port and reconnect it to make it active again.

The connection speed is not too bad though. I play HL2DM on the connection, with decent pings on most servers.

I am using Netgear. I initially had something called AirLink, and that was just crap. Never worked for more than twenty minutes.



"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -- Toulouse-Lautre, Moulin Rouge



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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Quaver on Sat Jun 11th at 8:34pm 2005

Ive got a wireless network and its faster than my internet connection so no change difference when accessing the internet. Its only seems to dissconnect ocasionally but thats because it connects to anouther network. I have a linksys wireless router similar to this one but there are proberly better ones on the market now. I have these set up on the computers.




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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by ReNo on Sat Jun 11th at 8:41pm 2005

Ok guys thanks for all the feedback. Looks like I'll vouch for a wired setup for the time being, it seems I've yet to hear of anybody who has wireless working perfectly.




Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net



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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Jun 12th at 1:18pm 2005

I have not read all this but have to say that the chief reason I have heard NOT to get wireless is the speed/response times.. they are too slow for internet play.

Wires suck owl s**t but are still the best route.

I also heard that windows XP fails to recognize certain models of wireless routers without some support patches from MS. *shrugs*

/me pets my old linksys.. been faithful for almost 3 years of constant use.





The best things in life, aren't things.



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Agent Smith on Sun Jun 12th at 2:07pm 2005

In my experience networking in general is nothing but a major head ache, wireless networking being particularly troublesome. Therefore I am in agreement with my esteemed colleagues.



Ham and Jam Contributor
http://www.hamandjam.org

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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Jun 12th at 2:27pm 2005

? quoting Agent Smith
In my experience networking in general is nothing but a major head ache,

I set mine up with zero knowledge beforehand and mine has been running fine since day 1.

With winXP its almost idiot proof now anyways.. If stupid people like me can sort it out, why can not people as smart as you?





The best things in life, aren't things.



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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Agent Smith on Sun Jun 12th at 3:17pm 2005

Despite having XP, working network cards and software, and all the rest, they still never bloody work for me. I am cursed me thinks.



Ham and Jam Contributor
http://www.hamandjam.org

'Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!'



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 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Jun 12th at 3:20pm 2005

? quoting Agent Smith
Despite having XP, working network cards and software, and all the rest, they still never bloody work for me. I am cursed me thinks.

/me pets../me reminds Master Smith of my "MM" thing.





The best things in life, aren't things.



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Wild Card on Sun Jun 12th at 9:58pm 2005

? quote:
In otherwords, it'd be cheaper to wire your house with CAT5/6 lines then to buy signal boosters (Which you WILL need).


I have a D-Link wireless router in my house and I have both my desktop and laptop on an 802.11b network along with 2 other desktops on CAT5 cables. Sure the speed isnt as fast as CAT5, and especially so with the new gigabit, but it doesnt slow down the internet.

As for connection, its pretty good. My desktop is one floor up directly over the router and I get a signal, no boosters needed. My laptop, roams around, around the house, upstairs and in the basement. And I can even get a signal outside through the front brick wall, or in the yard through siding. Once again, no signal boosters.

On that note, I run a 900Mhz wireless phone in my room, and a 2.4Ghz wireless phone in the kitchen, which is less than 2 feet from the router, which, at 802.11b, runs at 2.4Ghz.




Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by SpiKeRs on Sun Jun 12th at 10:02pm 2005

This probs doesnt really help but gf got router off her old flat mate (who in turn got it off ebay) when she moved in with me so she cud use my internet connection...am still tryin to set the f**king thing up. Avoid Origo routers :P




Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Tracer Bullet on Sun Jun 12th at 10:36pm 2005

I don't know what you guys are complaining about. I have a Linksys BEFW11S4 router, and a linksys instant wireless PCI card for me laptop. The system was easy to setup and I have never had any cause for complaint. The only slight problem I have had is that every few months or so, my net connection gets dropped, but I am not sure if that has to do with the router or my DSL service. The solution is simply to reset the router, and everything goes back to normal. Most importantly maybe for this audience, I have never observed any difference either in LAN games or net play between the performance of my wireless system and a CAT5 connection. It is NOT slow, as others have suggested.

I haven't bothered with any security, because I don't care if people leech. I figure if it becomes a problem I can just go into the routing table and kick them off. In any case it has never happened to me, and I live in an apartment complex.




Some people are like slinkys...

They aren?t really good for anything, but you can't help but laugh when one tumbles down the stairs.



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Jun 12th at 10:49pm 2005

All of my info is second or third hand. Take it with a grain of salt.

Myself, I live in an area so full of electrical stuff that I cannot even get a TV signal with an aerial antenna.. I couldn't take a chance on anything without wires. <img src=" SRC="images/smiles/sad.gif">





The best things in life, aren't things.



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Wild Card on Sun Jun 12th at 11:22pm 2005

Must suck having no TV remote...




Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Jun 12th at 11:38pm 2005

? quoting Wild Card
Must suck having no TV remote...

Electronics do work. I have wireless phones, equipped with its own static. I have satellite TV, but the remote borks often as well.

I couldn't take a chance on losing packets with a wireless router is all.

but seriously, if i put an antenna on the roof, i get nothin.. I live in a dead zone for public TV. :/





The best things in life, aren't things.



Quote
 Re: Wireless networking
Posted by Agent Smith on Mon Jun 13th at 2:24am 2005

? quote:

/me reminds Master Smith of my "MM" thing.



Eh?



Ham and Jam Contributor
http://www.hamandjam.org

'Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!'




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