Need some basic wireless advice

Big.Wayne

Big.Wayne

Big.Wayne

Soldato
Joined
11 Sep 2003
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Location
London
Hello all,

I have been asked by a friend/client if I can install what appears to be a simple wireless network in his shop. Currently he has a wired network, main machine in the back office which is connected to broadband via a USB modem and a front-of-shop PC that is wired to the network and has file sharing enabled (+web-browsing).

He has a new centrino laptop and would like to have access to the network, also he has some older laptops (No wireless) that he would also like to access the (wirelsss) network.

So what is the simple solution here? just need some basic advice and an idea of what hardware I should be looking at. I'm also not sure if I can *bolt-on* a seperate wireless network to the exisiting wired-lan or should I be looking at making the whole network one *single* wireless jobby.

Sorry if this question has been asked before, I did have a read of these forums but didn't find any info. As you can guess I'm new to wireless! :)
 
A decent wireless router, wireless cards for the non-wireless laptops and you can connect the two existing wired PC's by ethernet, as they are now.

Bin the stupid USB modem, too, the router will share the connection. Just make sure that you enable WPA encryption and don't leave the network open.
 
Big.Wayne said:
Thanks OllyM,

does the router have to be compatible with the specific broadband or is it one size fits all?
Click to expand...

Generally one size fits all like you say, but check what ISP he's with, a few routers (I can't remember which, and not that many) have some problems with AOL and/or NTL is it? I can't remember which ISPs either (Not much help am I :o )
 
Some (getting less) routers don't have an option to change the MTU, and for obvious reasons an ADSL router won't work on cable, but if he's got a USB modem it's pretty likely he's either on ADSL or needs his head looking.
 
Thank you all for replies.

Just about to get this project rolling. Spoke with Chris @ Overclockers.co.uk sales line last night and was explaining to him my requirements:

USB Modem (Tiscali/Sagem 500)
Back-Office PC

Ethernet Cable

Front-Of-Shop PC

[Centrino Laptop #1]
[Laptop #2]
[Laptop #3]

Need to get the three [laptops] connected to the exisiting network so that they can surf, send emails and browse the network, laptop #1 is a Centrino jobby so I believe it has wireless tech inbuilt (not sure what type?) but the other two laptops (#2 and #3) need an adapter of some sort.

Netgear DG834G 54Mbps Wireless ADSL
Modem/Router/Switch/Firewall (NW-017-NG)

dg834g.jpg


Price: £54.50 (£64.04 Including VAT at 17.5%)

Just need to work out what adapter to get for the non Wifi lappies? There are a few for sale from NETGEAR, not sure what the difference between 32-Bit cardbus and PCMCIA is though? (I guess I should check the laptop fittings that need an upgrade to see what type they are. . .)

Thanks for the help so far :)
 
For a business environment especially, I would highly recommend that you do not buy a Netgear product. They're consumer-grade junk.
 
The Centrino laptop will most probably have an integrated Intel Pro Wireless 2200 adapter that supports B and G. Secruity wise, it supports WEP, WPA and WPA2. I've got the exact same adapter in my laptop working flawlessly with WPA2.

If the laptop is very new, then it might be an Intel Wireless Adapter that supports the same security options but band A in addition to B an G.

My tip would be to let Windows Wireless Zero Config manage the wireless connections rather than the Intel software. I had all sorts of problems trying to get the Intel software working with my router and with WPA2. Windows Wireless zero config just worked flawlessly.

With regards to the other laptops, you have 2 options.

Use a PCMCIA adapter or a Mini PCI adapter if the laptop supports it.

The PCMCIA adapter will just slot into the laptop but will have the antenna module sticking out the side.

I'd prefer the Mini PCI option. Would involve you opening up a panel underneath the laptop (just remove a screw to reveal the compartment) and you slot it in like a PCI card. You then connect the internal antenna to the Mini PCI wireless adapter and thats it.

Much more discerete as you don't have something sticking out the side of the laptop but also it'll have a much better range/signal due to the internal antenna.

With a PCMCIA adapter, the antenna is tiny (basically in the bit that sticks out). With the Mini PCI option, the antenna is run around the entire laptop screen.

This is of course only applicable if the other 2 laptops have Mini Pci and an Antenna already built in.

Got any more info on those laptops?
 
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