Wireless Networking

Jose Amnesia · 30-11-2005, 16:50

Hi,

Got three computers. Laptop 54g wireless enabled, and two desktops. Was thinking getting a 54g router (but which?) and the appropriate cards for the desktops. How does it work though? The telewest 10mb comes straight into the router? As does any printers or other devices? And then the computers just share whatevers hooked up to that router? Or can they do that and communicate with each other also? Somebody pleeeease explain.

Cheers

30-11-2005, 17:16

hi

your Telewest feed will connect to your cable modem, that will then connect to the WAN port on the router, via ethernet, the individual PC's will then connect to the LAN ports on the router, either ethernet or wireless.

This way the modem sees only one IP address, but the router is clever enough to switch each incoming packet to the appropriate PC.

Whether printer connectivity is available will depend on the router model - this will usually connect via USB.

Regarding networking the individual PC's connected to the router, this is possible, but beyond my knowledge, mainly 'cos I don't want Mrs Gaz looking at my PC

30-11-2005, 17:19

Linksys WRT54G router:
http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/product.asp?pr=WRT54G

bucketbakereturn · 30-11-2005, 17:25

i'll take that punt.

for ur desktops get a wireless 54g pci card and bang one in each, or not as the case may be with ur house geography depending on the location point of the router.

u can hook the printer up to one of the desktops permanently but it would always have to be on to use the printer) or again get a print server (hopefully ur printer has usb connection) and place anywhere geographically within the house.

the router will take care of the data issues, plus povide a hardware solution in terms of firewall. I have the Linksys WRT54g, has worked flawlessly out of the box and lets us use a desktop, xbox live, and wife's laptop plus any friend who needs the network. I'd never go back to anything else.

its a personal thing bout what kind, i find Belkin twitchy and the config less than clear. Have tried a SAfecom recently which worked well after an update despite poor reviews. Basically the standard is 54g, don't get me wrong the 11b is just as good but really a stepping stone to 54 these days.

anythin else just shout, i won't be the only one with advice.

---------- Post added at 17:25 ---------- Previous post was at 17:25 ----------

u see u give someone a hand and look they're posting ahead of you

Jose Amnesia · 30-11-2005, 17:59

Thanks people,

Right the laptop is a Fujitsu Siemens Amillo M. It has a built in 11g wireless network adapter. Am I right in thinking this would slow down a 54g network? So I'm thinking of putting a 54g card in it but I can't find where it goes. There is an ExpressCard slot on the side of the laptop but this has a funny L-shaped remote control that pops out of it, any clues without going to USB????

bucketbakereturn · 30-11-2005, 18:05

ok

no u won't get 'slowed down' per se, the router will shunt to u all the data the Amillo can handle nothing more. Hence the term router, someone else on a 54g card for example will experience the full 54 their card can handle at the same time as u on ur 11.

Most laptops have a pcmcia slot at the side, normlly two of, usually towards the front. I'd imagine thats what ur ExpressCard slot is for. Double check on the manufacturer website.

But really if the amilo has the centrino stuff built in u may well just be asking for probs. But im not saying don't try.

Jose Amnesia · 30-11-2005, 18:19

Aye it has the centrino stuff ;p will check the website, looks like a slot to me but the fact it has a daft lookin remote that detaches from it confusess me :O(

---------- Post added at 18:19 ---------- Previous post was at 18:10 ----------

Yeah course it has a PCMCIA slot, So whats with the centrino stuff then? Should I buy a 54g card and stuff the built in adapter?

J

bucketbakereturn · 30-11-2005, 18:24

the Centrino stuff is the intel based wireless capability that u have without actually havin to use a slot for a wireless card.

to my mind i imagine the BIOS or network properties view the centrino as just another network connection so i guess disabling it with nix it and let u choose the default connection, a 54g pcmcia card for example in the slot.

ebuyer are good on price but if u get the wrong gear returning it is a mare although they do do a neat line in refunding ur card and sending you it again accidentally on purpose. Many of the posters here can attest to some experience like that with them lol. Ebay of course, aria.co.uk , simply.co.uk there's a plethora so google away.

DocDutch · 30-11-2005, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jose Amnesia

Thanks people,

Right the laptop is a Fujitsu Siemens Amillo M. It has a built in 11g wireless network adapter. Am I right in thinking this would slow down a 54g network? So I'm thinking of putting a 54g card in it but I can't find where it goes. There is an ExpressCard slot on the side of the laptop but this has a funny L-shaped remote control that pops out of it, any clues without going to USB????

the laptop you got is a 54G card....54G is also known as 802.11G so dont worry about buying a new card for your lappy the card you got is an Intel Pro 2200 B/G network card thats build in (or if your lucky and lappy was expensive you might have 2900 a-b-g card) so dont bother buying another card for the lap.

now with the thing regarding your other pc's I would just have say the closest to the router connected wired and the furthest with a good wireless PCI card. at least then you dont have to lay a cable say 10 meters or more

ow and bucketbakereturn for your info the card he has is 54G!!!!

bucketbakereturn · 30-11-2005, 19:57

quite right to lol just as it says at the start of his thread..he he sorry fixing dinner and HL2 on the xbox!!

Jose Amnesia · 30-11-2005, 21:13

Thanx again guys, one more thing... I've just purchased a new pci-e board, graphics cards (pci-e) and the appropriate RAM. The board is a mini ATX and the case I currently have is ATX. will the board fit the case ??? or will i have to purchase a new case

---------- Post added at 21:13 ---------- Previous post was at 21:11 ----------

from ebuyer mite i add....

bucketbakereturn · 30-11-2005, 22:31

mmm afaik yes since the case is bigger than the board, though there might be an issue for the positon of mountings of the board and where they screw to the case. As u can see i'm not 100% so it might be a case of wait and see.

30-11-2005, 22:34

You should be OK in fitting the board to the ATX case, most cases have multiple stand off screws that allow you to re-position them to fit the motherboard you have.

Jose Amnesia · 01-12-2005, 11:42

Hopefully it comes today instead of tommorow cuz i on nights

Saaf_laandon_mo · 01-12-2005, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucketbakereturn

quite right to lol just as it says at the start of his thread..he he sorry fixing dinner and HL2 on the xbox!!

i didnt realise the xbox was good enough to cook your dinner on.........