USB Wireless stick as an access point?

Dutch Guy · 31 Oct 2006 at 11:57

I have a cable connection at home without a router with one computer connected directly to the cable modem.

I will be getting a laptop soon and want that to operate wireless with a PCMCIA wireless card.

But can I use a USB Wireless stick in my main computer as an access point for the wireless PCMCIA card so that the laptop shares the internet connection or can those USB sticks only be used to make a connection to a router?

GM@N · 31 Oct 2006 at 12:17

I'm pretty sure you can do this. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126 may help

Dutch Guy · 31 Oct 2006 at 12:50

I have been looking some more, I also found PCI wireless cards that do the same so that seems a better solution as it is less CPU intensive?? and I have a free PCI slot.

I found in the specs of one PCI card that it can be used Ad Hoc which is an access point??

errata · 31 Oct 2006 at 14:12

ICS as described above and 2 wireless cards that support ad hoc mode will work but you will have to take real care with the configuration.

Wireless router potentially more efficient & only a little more cash
(wireless router with PC on a wire, laptop on wireless vs 2 wireless cards & ICS configuration pain)

Dutch Guy · 31 Oct 2006 at 15:09

errata said:
ICS as described above and 2 wireless cards that support ad hoc mode will work but you will have to take real care with the configuration.

Wireless router potentially more efficient & only a little more cash
(wireless router with PC on a wire, laptop on wireless vs 2 wireless cards & ICS configuration pain)

I know a router is a better option, but what I don't know if there is a difference between a 30 quid router and a 60 quid router?
Because I don't want the router to cripple my 5mbps cable connection to my computer.

But is it really that more difficult, I mean ICS is already installed as I use that with a crossover cable to a old machine and in both configurations the WEP protection has to be setup, right?

Minstadave · 31 Oct 2006 at 15:41

Just go with a simple adhoc connection and ICS, it won't cost you anything and you'll still have your main rig hardwired to your connection.

errata · 1 Nov 2006 at 20:38

If you comfortable with ICS then wirelesss should be straightforward you could for example ignore security settings when testing, get it working then apply WEP security. Good luck

do you know the difference between a £10 usb stick and a £20 one though!

Avalon · 1 Nov 2006 at 23:02

A USB stick works on the same principal as a NIC, it can be used to connect to any other compatible device. If it were me i'd go for a low end router as you can still get online without the need to have the PC running but it depends on what you need...

MAllen · 1 Nov 2006 at 23:06

ICS will probally cripple your connection more than a £30 router.

Just save up the beer tokens one week, and spring to the £60 router if you are worried about speed.

Worth the cash. (Just avoid Belkin as I have had tooo many headaches from them....)

Dutch Guy · 2 Nov 2006 at 08:55

I bought a Asus PCI card and PCMCIA card, couldn't resist as they were only €42 for both.

I will see how it goes, if it isn't good enough or gives me problems I'll get a router and sell the PCI card.

If I make a Ad Hoc connection, will that allow me to have internet on the laptop or do I need to make the PCI wireless card an access point?

errata · 2 Nov 2006 at 13:58

the ad hoc connection will link (network) the 2 pc's, ICS will let you share the main PC's internet connection. You dont need to think about access point issues.

Dutch Guy · 8 Nov 2006 at 08:59

I officially hate wireless :mad:

Setting up a simple Ad Hoc connection has been a nightmare, I first tried the Asus software, only to be irritated by the software, I next tried the Windows XP software/setups but the connection was only 1Mbps when both were within 3 feet

After more fiddling I got it to 11Mbps (why not 54Mbps as both cards are capable of that?) but now when I go downstairs the connection will not connect automatically, surely that isn't too far away, I mean it should work from downstairs to the loft as the distance is only 6 meters but with two wooden floors?

I have asked the company I bought the stuff to take back the PCI card and I will get a simple wired/wireless router instead.

Dutch Guy · 9 Nov 2006 at 13:37

I tried the laptop last night at my parents house as they have a ADSL router and the PCMCIA card workes flawlessly, lowest speed was 18Mbps and most of the time it was at 54Mbps so I guess the connection between the PCI card and PCMCIA card is not working correct.

I ordered a cheap Sweex wired/wireless router so I hope that will give me good connection speeds on the laptop.

The router has a built in Firewall, will it be neccesary to have the XP Firewall running or not as it just checks the incoming traffic?

MAllen · 9 Nov 2006 at 13:45

Dutch Guy said:
The router has a built in Firewall, will it be neccesary to have the XP Firewall running or not as it just checks the incoming traffic?

Belts and Braces. It doesn't harm leaving this on, but it is not technically necessary. The hardware firewall in the router will do the best job. Though neither of your firewalls block outgoing connections.

Dutch Guy · 9 Nov 2006 at 14:05

MAllen said:
Though neither of your firewalls block outgoing connections.

Yeah, that's why I thought the Windows Firewall wasn't needed as both do the same job.

I guess I will just turn off the Windows Firewall, I regularly monitor internet traffic anyway so if I have a virus/trojan/backdoor I will notice it anyway and take the neccesary measures.

MAllen · 9 Nov 2006 at 14:33

All depends on what you do on your local network really. The windoze firewall is easy to punch through for local network file share, so not really a hassle to be left on as a stimbling block for the local hackers.

Though it is pretty well paper thin as it is also easy for any virus to punch it's own hole in it as well. LOL. There has been news in the IT press about a way that a WAR driver can drive down the street sending out a special packet that makes the Windoze firewall crash and die, leaving the PC open anyway. :rolleyes:

Personally I rely on my hardware firewall in the router as the main barrier.

Like you I monitor my own network.

For networking newbies watching this thread, I would advise they get a decent firewall that filters outgoing packets as well as incomming. But I am sure names of free versions of these are in the stickies (i.e. ZoneAlarm, Sygate, Kerio, etc)

benjo plz. · 9 Nov 2006 at 14:36

MAllen said:
There has been news in the IT press about a way that a WAR driver can drive down the street sending out a special packet that makes the Windoze firewall crash and die, leaving the PC open anyway.

Personally I rely on my hardware firewall in the router as the main barrier. Like you I monitor my own network.

Hows using an SPI firewall going to stop a WAR driver?