router and network card advice please.

[barf0r]

Hi, I'm completely new to wireless networking but am looking to set up a wireless network in my flat.

I'm basically looking for router advice, and network cards advice.

I've tried to do a bit of reading but I've not been able to find a good all encompasing online resourse.


We are getting an NTL cable connection and there will be three computers wanting to share the connection. One is a laptop with a network card already within it. How do I find out what this card is capable of (ie, 802.11b or 802.11g, WEP or WPA etc etc)?
There is another laptop without a wireless network card. Can an external usb card be added? And advice on which card?
The third will be a desktop pc which has spare pci slots. Again any advice on a card to get?

For the router, I see the Linksys WRT54G range mentioned a lot. The WRT54GL seems to include a firewall and higher encryption over the WRT54G. Does this model seem like a good choice?

I assume all three pcs could be accessing the internet at the same time? Is the connection speed split into thirds between each connection or is it just allocated where it is required?

Thanks.

 

[Avalon]

WRT54GL run's linux, the WRT54G runs VXWorks take the L as it has the option of decent third party firmware support. As for finding out what your laptop can do then have a look at the manual, the card's config section or the manuf's site. USB dongles are fine but are you using usb 2 ? If not you may find little benefit in getting a fast dongle.

 

[barf0r]

ok mate. cheers.