Ermmm...can you explain my wireless network for me?

OldDevlin

OldDevlin

OldDevlin

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18 Apr 2007
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Ok, I have a PC which is apparently being used as a "soft access point" (this means nothing to me, I'm a network idiot).My Asus A8V motherboard came with an Asus 802.11b/g wireless lan card which is apparently how my PC became an AP. Still with me?

I connect to adsl through a USB modem (i have no routers or anything).

My second PC connects to my AP PC through a little USB ariel-thingy. My 360 and PS3 are also connected wirelessly to my AP computer perfectly well.

My question is, how is this working without routers or anything?

Ive just bought this system...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-041-OK

...so my second question (and the most important one) is this...can I take the Asus wireless lan card from my old PC, and use the new PC as a wirless AP in the same way? Or does that wireless card rely on the asus motherboard to work properly? Or will my new PC need some special software to work as an AP?


Sorry, I just dont really understand wireless networks, and when i try to read up on this sort of stuff it feels like I'm the only person on the planet connected to my broadband by a USB adsl modem without any routers or anything (i dont even understand what routers really do). Also, anything i read about soft access points, talk about ethernet connections etc (again, i dont have an ethernet connection).

I'm really lost and could really do with somebody with enough knowledge and patience to explain it all to me, and tell me what I need to do to turn my new system into an AP for my PS3 and 360 again.

Thanks in advance :)
 
You're correct when you say your PC is an access point, it is being used as a router. With regards to the Asus wireless card I would imagine if it was PCI and there are drivers available to install it in another system then you should be able to use it in the same way.

The only real limitation you have is that you have to leave your PC on for as long as other devices need to access the internet. BTW, you need to bridge your adsl connection with your LAN card to enable internet connection sharing - all available in 'Network Connections'.
 
oddjob62 said:
Any reason why you can't just buy a wireless router? would make life a lot easier.
Click to expand...

A few reasons really

1) I dont know anything about routers and have read a lot of people complaining with router probkems (which i dont have obviously).

2) My adsl modem is USB and Ive heard most routers don't accomodate this (don't know if this is right or not?)

3) I wouldn't know which one to get. Apparently the 360 and PS3 have problems with some routers (and just dont work at all with some others).

If I'm wrong on any of this, or anyone has any advice as to whether I should bother with one (and which one would be best), feel free to tell me :)
 
OldDevlin said:
A few reasons really

1) I dont know anything about routers and have read a lot of people complaining with router probkems (which i dont have obviously).

2) My adsl modem is USB and Ive heard most routers don't accomodate this (don't know if this is right or not?)

3) I wouldn't know which one to get. Apparently the 360 and PS3 have problems with some routers (and just dont work at all with some others).

If I'm wrong on any of this, or anyone has any advice as to whether I should bother with one (and which one would be best), feel free to tell me :)
Click to expand...

1. People complain about most IT related things. Probably the main reason why you don't hear about people complaining about the setup like you have, is because very few people have that setup.

2. An ADSL router will have a built in modem.

3. Can say about the 360 and PS3 but something like the Netgear DG834G should work fine. Might want to wait for someone to confirm this or do a quick post in the "Console Games & Hardware" forum.
 
I have recently set up a wireless network using a Linksys WAG354G V2 router/modem. This is the first network I have set up myself. I wont claim that it has been completely trouble free but on the whole it has been very easy. I have 1 PC connected via ethernet, 3 more via wireless, plus a PS3 & an Xbox360 also via wireless. Certainly havent had any problems connecting the consoles.

I would definately consider going down this route rather than your current set up.
 
Thanks guys, I picked up a Netgear DG834G. Far less hassle than before! Only problem I'm having is finding a usb wireless network adapter that works with Vista 64-bit.
 
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