Wireless Internet

[Jose Amnesia]

Intrested in sharing my current connection with my the family computer downstairs as they have ADSL and it is sh*te tbh... Thinking about going wireless but surely this must be slower than a wired network? Play games online and wonder if it will affect my ping? If it is good technology and worth getting then whats the best deals out there at the minute on routers and cards? Or I've heard theres a USB alternative to the cards? Help please!

[MovedGoalPosts]

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Wireless if you use the "b" standard runs at a maximum 11mbps. The forthcoming 10Meg cable sevices wopuld max out at just under that leve, so internet comnnections, in theory, are still slower than the home network.

In practice you may well, due to contention, not get the full internet speed.

In practice the wirless speed often degrades a liitle too. Walls, floors, interference, distance, can all take their toll.

Therefore if going for wireless now, get the much faster "g" standards.

Wired networks run typically at 100Mbps, but it will be the internet connectionthat remains the limiting factor.

The main issue of networking on pings nad the like will be the usage of your network by others. May not be a big issue for casual internet browsing, but if someone runs a big download. your gaming will suffer.

Originally Posted by Jose Amnesia

Intrested in sharing my current connection with my the family computer downstairs as they have ADSL and it is sh*te tbh... Thinking about going wireless but surely this must be slower than a wired network? Play games online and wonder if it will affect my ping? If it is good technology and worth getting then whats the best deals out there at the minute on routers and cards? Or I've heard theres a USB alternative to the cards? Help please!

There are USB alternatives available these days, but if you're concerned about losing performance, I'd steer clear of them.

Wireless networks can still run many times faster than the speed you will get from your broadband ISP, so provided you set the wireless router up properly so you get a good signal, there won't be a problem. (e.g. the signal strength I'm getting from my wireless network right now means I have 36Mb of bandwidth .... waaaaay faster than the 512Kb I get from my ISP. Even when I get poor signal it rarely goes below 2Mb).

The Linksys WRT54G is a highly recommended model of wireless router. Belkin models are known for not having brilliant signal levels and can be a pain in the butt if you lose the signal momentarily to get back on again.

A couple of things to think about if you are sharing your connection between floors -

1. Spend a lot of time working out where to place the router for even signal coverage. Simply next to the cable point will not do, as this is probably in on the floor, in one corner of a room.
2. Be aware that deliberately sharing your connection with another household, even if you're not charging them, may breach your ISP's terms and conditions. You have been warned!