Wireless network or not?
 

Hi there. I am contemplating setting up a wireless home network. The main reasons are:
1. So my wife can use her laptop downstairs ( modem and desktop are set up upstairs) & 2. I can use a laptop in my workshop outside (for email & internet). However, the workshop is about 20 feet from house and I am assuming there will be a distance of approx 40-50 feet between router and laptop in workshop. I also play online games via desktop pc. Is it possible to have a combination of wired/wireless network (wireless for wifes laptop & wired for workshop) or would it be simpler to have it all wired? Any advice welcome. TIA

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

A router like the Linksys WRT54GL has both wired and wireless capability, I have this one http://tinyurl.com/2vjhzc connecting two wired and one wireless computers.

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

Are you on Cable? If not you will need a different router

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

Yes, I'm on VM BB with a webstar modem. Is there a max length for network cable?

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

max length for Cat5 is 100m / 328ft

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

you can have more than 1 wireless router on the network (well the second one wont be a router) so you can have it:

INTERNET ---- MODEM ---- WIRELESS ROUTER ---- dESKTOP PC connected via wires
---- Laptop downstairs wireless

to get the signal a little stronger you can run a cable from the router downstairs and chuck another wifi device on it so you can connect to that, perhaps use homeplug to do this.
Or perhaps use homeplug to just go from the router upstairs into the homeplug and then have the other homeplug in the workshop..

basically loads of options all depends how you feel about computers and money :)

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

It is perfectly fine to have both wired and wireless devices connected to a router and nearly all wireless routers will come with wired ports too.
These can be used at the same time as the wireless.

Re: Wireless network or not?
 

Thanks to all for some excellent advice and information.