Wireless Network

[Pepper]

I need to set up a wireless network at home.

I have cable internet. I recently purchased another home computer and need to get that computer hooked up to the internet.

I know I need a router and one more item (the name fails me right now), but I am not familiar with the brands and the options available.

The distance between both computers is about 40 feet.

[tsophra]

Re: Wireless Network

I have the Linksys 4 port wireless router. Linksys is a pretty standard brand name

[kia027]

Re: Wireless Network

You need a router, Linksys as Arjen suggested is a standard brand name and each computer should have either an ethernet card or a wireless card (depending on whether u wish to use cable or wireless connections)

[Guest]

Re: Wireless Network

You'll need a wireless router something like this:

Linksys Wireless Router

The Internet will plug into this. And then to communicate with the router you will need a device plugged into your remote computers. Personally, I like the new USB devices like this one:

Linksys Wireless USB Adapter

This solution is convenient because you can plug it into any unused USB port and you're done.

The other option is to install a wireless network card into your computer. This may save some money but it's more work.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Wireless Network

Cable internet?!!
I do that with DSL,but cable!!
Tell me more.

[Pepper]

Re: Wireless Network

Thanks Mulligan, Arjen and Kia. So Linksys is a standard brand in wireless connections. I'll keep that in mind.

Dudd, Cable is very fast, no make that super fast! Call your local cable provider for information. You need to buy a cable modem, and have the cable company set up your account and you are good to go.

If you already have cable, you can set up the modem yourself and use the install dvd to walk you through the procedure. You can check with your local electronics store, they will sometimes give you the modem for free if you set up service through them.

[djrosen1]

Re: Wireless Network

Other brand names: Netgear, D-Link, SMC, U.S. Robotics, Belkin, Motorola, Hawking Technologies.

The wireless network I set up for my buddy uses a Linksys router and network adapters, though.

My home network is Fast Ethernet (100MBps wired). I use a Linksys broadband router (my first one was SMC, and it worked fine, but it only lasted about two years); it works fine and has proved easy to configure.

[Pepper]

Re: Wireless Network

RO, did you run the phone wires through your attic? I was thinking of doing this, for security reasons, but.....

[djrosen1]

Re: Wireless Network

Originally posted by Pepper:
[qb] RO, did you run the phone wires through your attic? I was thinking of doing this, for security reasons, but..... [/qb]

All my computers are in one room ("the Cave"), down in the basement. That's for a couple reasons: one, they're ugly and I don't want them proliferating throughout the house; and two, the primary reason why I have more than two computers is to host LAN gaming, and given the nature of the games we play (in general cooperative rather than competitive), it's most convenient to have us all in one room.

My wiring is done in a most slipshod fashion; it runs along the corners of the walls. I couldn't embed it within the walls, because they're basement brick walls. It does make it easier to rearrange the furniture in the Cave, though; there have been two major rearrangements since we moved in here (improved the use of space twice - the Cave is also our exercise room).

[j-kid]

Re: Wireless Network

You want to buy a 802.11G wireless router and wireless cards. The 802.11B is older and slower.

[Pepper]

Re: Wireless Network

Thanks J-kid. My co-worker was telling me about the new g routers.