I'm moving into an apartment that has too few cable jacks and I'm wanting to avoid having to get another jack installed, so I'm considering taking the wireless networking plunge. I've never used it, so I'm a little concerned with the security risks and performance. Yes I have googled the crap out of the subject, but I guess I'd like a little more personal input. I'm looking at a Linksys Instant Wireless PCI Network Card 802.11b and Wireless-B Network Kit 802.11b which after rebates will run me about $65-70. Is 802.11g really worth the extra cost? How secure will this really be? I'll only have 1 wall in between the router and the PC. What kind of performace should I expect? Anything else I'm forgetting?
First of all, good choice on the Linksys. It's more expensive equipment than most home networking stuff out there, but in my experience nothing has worked better for me than linksys products. They are usually very easy to set up and I can't recall a single time where I had to call their Tech Support to get the products to work after setting them up. I personally think G is a good value. Newer technology, stronger signal, faster etc. You can make it pretty secure by encryption and a key etc. That can all be set up pretty easily through the router settings too. As for the walls, you really shouldn't have any noticable problem with the connection.
if you are only using the connection for one computer, then the Wireless G is probably not worth the extra cost unless you will upgrade later to more than 1 computer broadband speed is limited to less than the speed you can get with 802.11b if you want to avoid the wireless network all together, you can still get away with using one cable jack ........just get a diplexer
Codell is correct, however if you are transfering any files between computers you will want the G. I have 3 home PCs and one notebook setup on a G system, and it works great. Linksys as well. DD™
I have this same setup and it works great. The speeds are fine for me, and setup is simple. The walls won't be an issue, I'm able to work all around my house and backyard without any issues.
OK, I'm reading more here about 802.11b being half-duplex and 802.11g being full-duplex. I download and upload alot of stuff(ie. R2K's Rockets vids) and am wondering will the ul/dl speed be compensated on the 802.11b or am I misunderstanding this.
Another question: I want to be able to hook this up to my PS2 via a Wireless Ethernet Bridge. Linksys makes one (802.11b) specifically for this purpose. Will that particular protocol meet the networking needs sufficiently for online gaming? Take a minute from your nad-Nairing and hair washing routine discussions and help a wireless noob out. I get 2 cent shipping if I order this tonight. BTW, the 802.11g package would run about $120.
I bought a linksys wireless router and it was fine, but their support sucked so bad that when the product finally went south. I shopped around and at the time Netgear had the best rating and they had excellent support. See what CNet has to say. I've had the Netgear for some time now. Security shouldn't be an issue. Just change the defaults. Living in an apartment, you might connect to someone elses network.
