Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network

Subject: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Allan C.
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 05:31 PM

Actually, the thread title should have been in the form of a question. However, knowing how clever you guys are, I'm sure the thread will soon contain all I (or anyone else) would need to know to set up a wireless home network.

Although I have used wireless networks at coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, airports and such, I am clueless as to how to create one at home. I've seen that Radio Shack carries a kit that seems to be designed for the purpose; but before I lay out the big bucks for it, I'd like to know more.

Any wireless wizards out there?

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,MCP
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 07:38 PM

Allan - I have a wireless network at home. If noone comes up with anything beforehand I'll post some details tomorrow (Wed, UK time - it's too late for me now). It's very simple and fairly straightforward to set up (I loved getting rid of the wires, and with a print server on the network, I have the printer conveniently out of the way as well).


Mick

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Amos
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:20 PM

We have a mixed network. The cable modem is linked to a router. One of the objects hanging off the router is an Airport wireless 802.11 transmitter/reciever hub. Two computers are happily connected to the internet via that hub, and two are hard-wired inot the router via Ethernet.

The only tricky part is confiuguring the router correctly.

A

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:23 PM

Converersely, I saw little to be gained by getting rid of the wires but extra cost for a slower network, not that I think I do anything where I'd notice a speed difference, and redundancy of good working components.

In my case when I got a laptop and decided I would like to roam with it, I simply added a wireless access point, connected it to the router and got a cardbus adapter for the laptop. The wireless portion was working in about 15 minutes.

As you can see from that, different people have different priorites and I don't think there is a right or wrong. If you are starting from scratch though, I'd have to say that going entirely wireless would have been by choice to avoid having to run a length of cat5 cable through the roof space.

I've just found an article here that goes into the relative merits.

Jon

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:25 PM

(Amos and I cross posted - I was following on what MCP said)

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: mack/misophist
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:33 PM

Securty is a special issue on wireless networks. Unless you want the ex-felon next door plugging in and leaving browser traces with your name on them, configure carefully.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 09:12 PM

I considered wireless for home, but rejected the idea because they used the same frequency as my cordless phones. I rejected a set of wireless speakers for the same reason, and had cat 5 run (2 drops, no big deal, cost me $70 and saved me from saying what I usually say when I've run cat 5).

On the other hand, I had wireless points put in a work and they saved our butts when we did inventory last August. When I next put in a PC in the public areas (for the staff) it will be wireless. At this time (note the qualification) I won't have wireless available to the public, though.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: M.Ted
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 12:09 AM

After agonizing for months, I picked up a wireless router and popped a cardbus deal into the handy slot on the laptop--then I connected the router to my cable modem, and hardwired my dektop Mac (with the non-wireless OS) to the router, then followed the easy directions that came with the box--only thing is that they left a critical point out of the directions and I had to call the tech support number--in about five extra minutes, I was rolling--

The critical part is to make sure you have the right card for your computer--I think it is relatively simple for non-Mac folk--but the Apple people always try to restrict your options as much as possible--

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 12:22 AM

-but the Apple people always try to restrict your options as much as possible--

Ted:

This certainly doesn't match my experience. They do create software with boundaries but the software generally multipluies th eoptins open to the individual by hundreds.

A

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 01:31 AM

Here is a site we found quite useful when we set up our home wireless network. Click on the "How To" link at the top to see a bunch of documents describing how to do various things. We used the one called "Tips for fixing XP file and printer sharing" to get our printer problem straightened out when no one else could help us.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 04:46 AM

How you go wireless is a question we have been considering for a while now. We are on broadband through phone lines and our set-up uses a USB modem (Alcatel Speedtouch USB modem) which looks like a frog.
So far all the information we've seen about things such as wireless routers is based on having an ethernet modem. Would we need to change our modem (or get an integrated modem/router/ethernet unit), or is it possible to run via our current modem?
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Jim McLean
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 07:06 AM

I swapped my Alcatel Speedtouch USB Modem for a Speedtouch 510 router/modem which has 4 ethernet sockets. I connected my main PC to the router via a network card and cable but plugged in a netgear access point into the router which then enables me to use laptops or PCs equipped with a wireless card all over the house and garden. You could use a wireless router/modem which in effect is the same as my router plus access point.
I am with AOL and the router configuration took about five minutes as I really only had to enter my screen name and password. With a router connection rather than USB, you can run any wireless equipped PC without the main PC being switched on.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 07:42 AM

Geoff, it could be done but you would probably not be saving much if anything on cost as you are going to have to buy some form of wireless server anyway. I just plugged my wireless access point into this computer, told it to act as a dhcp server and I had a working wireless network in a minute or two. There may be a little more configuration needed to get it to work with Internet sharing but I don't think it would be too complicated to do.

Now consider the drawbacks. As far as I can make out, you would have to connect your modem to a computer. That means to share internet, you are commiting yourself to having one computer on even if the other is the one to be used (OK the other way you still need the router running but it's a lot less power, doesn't need a log in which your computer may require, etc). As the computer with the modem is connected to the outside world, you need a firewall and would need to be running Internet sharing software.

An integrated unit will take care of all of that for you and as others have said, setting up should be very easy. I'd advise forgetting the modem and taking this route.

Jon

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: iamjohnne
Date: 05 Jan 05 - 02:23 PM

I do tech support for and ISP for a living. The easiest thing to do is get a 2wire (that is the vendor name) wireless ethernet modem. It is basically plug and play.

Geoff, the Alcatel USB, we call it a stingray, is a great little modem. However you can't network with it. The Alcatel Speedtouch Home can be used to network but you must also purchase a router. That is the charm of the 2wire. It is modem and router in one device.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Allan C.
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 12:15 PM

It appears from what has been said so far and from the fact that Radio Shack doesn't carry a router for the purpose, that a cable connection rather than a dial-up is more or less required. (My Radio Shack contact said he thought he might have heard about a router for dial-up; but had never seen one.)

I don't have a cable hookup and am wondering if anyone knows of a source for the appropriate router for a dial-up connection (if such a thing exists.) Or does one of the ones already mentioned have that capability?

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jom
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 12:40 PM

Well Alan, Asdl isn't cable but goes through a phone line - perhaps you could get youl line upgraded and have have that type of service.

I've not seen the device you are looking for and doubt that exists - plain old dial up is a bit slow and although we have used it here with success, is not ideally suited for 2 or more people using the internet at the same time.

As I indicated earlier in a reply to Geoff, I think it is possible to have a wireless network and use dialup (or a stand alone USB Adsl modem) for internet sharing. I might try the USB version later between Pip's computer and my laptop.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Justa Picker
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 01:32 PM

D-Link.
The best.
I'd recommend the DI-624 (with super G) and the compatible cards -- all designed to give you up to 108 mps transfer rate - which is way way faster than any cable internet connection. Make sure you use some sort of hex key encription between the router and the wireless cards.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 06 Jan 05 - 02:04 PM

OK, I'm on my laptop now without the asdl router.

I've got a Sagem USB modem plugged into Pip's computer which I've set up for MS ICS. This is connected to a hub together as is a wirless access point. The laptop is using a wireless card.

Oh well, time to restore the network now.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 12:12 AM

I have DSL, so the phone cord from the wall is plugged into the modem, from which a cord is in turn plugged into my Netgear Cable/DSLwireless router (most of them are set up for cable OR DSL), and into this router I have a cord that goes to my computer. My computer DOES NOT NEED TO BE ON to run the connection to the other computer. It is incorrect to say the first computer must be on. If the computer and router are plugged into the same power supply, then they need to be differentiated. Anyway, my computer can be off, but the modem is always on and the router is always on, so the connection is always on (via a Linksys Wireless USB Network adaptor) plugged into a USB plug on the other machine.

These units have to be the same protocol--I use the 802.11b (as opposed to the newer, more expensive, faster, but pointless) 802.11g. Your system isn't going to work any faster on g vs b, because of the connection coming into your home. So save your money.

Set your router up with a password that you then tell to your network card, and you'll keep folks from the neighborhood or passing cars from using your network.

Look around online for systems and prices. I usually compare prices at CompUSA and Fry's (Outpost.com). Sometimes places like Amazon have them on sale for good prices also. And they run useful reviews of the stuff they sell. Since they're posted by users, you get the usual mix of good commentary from users and hype posted by minions of the sellers. You'll be able to tell them apart.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 09:12 AM

SRS, who is saying any computer needs to be on with that sort of configuration?

Alan apparently has only got dial up. Can you come up with a way that will work for wireless Inernet sharing and networking for that without having a computer on?

802.11.g is compatible with 802.11.b.

The connection coming into your home may not be your only concern on a wireless network. Some people do like to share large files, etc.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 01:20 PM

Jon,

I read your remark:

That means to share internet, you are commiting yourself to having one computer on even if the other is the one to be used (OK the other way you still need the router running but it's a lot less power, doesn't need a log in which your computer may require, etc).

This is not correct in my home or employment experience. My computer at work is the one wired into the router that the others in the office get a wireless connection from. Yet I'm there the least, telecommuting from home. No one has to turn on my computer to run their own. Same with the house. Perhaps your experience is different.

I regularly consult with an electrical engineer friend before making computer upgrades, and between he and the folks I queried at Fry's, all were certain that you had to have the same protocol through your system. I would double check that information that you can mix them before going out and making the purchase. My main part of that message, however, was to indicate that the 802.11g is overkill, and since it costs more (at least it has so far, perhaps that is now changing since it has been out for a while) it's a waste to spend the extra cash to get the resources you can't use.
I did a search at CompUSA and find that they now carry routers that are made to be either/or b or g (An example is called the DI-524 AirPlus G High Speed 2.4GHz Wireless Router, 802.11b, g, ). Unless you're using this kind of A/B technology, they aren't interchangeable. (Otherwise, they wouldn't bother to now make these either b or g routers!)

I see articles about "dial up on demand" backup routers, to be used normally with DSL or cable, that can call out. I suspect you can utilize one of these to regularly dial out if you don't have the other type of connection that goes on the box. Visit someplace like ZDnet.com (Ziff-Davis produces a lot of tech research and reviews) and search on "dial up routers" and you'll find a lot of references. You should find the names of some of these devices and be able to track them down and compare prices, all through the ZD site.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 01:53 PM

SRS, try taking the sentance in the context of the paragraph and my answering Geoff's question as to whether he can use his existing modem or not.

I will try to spell what I said again and maybe this time round you will understand rather than diving in half way through.

It is possible to have a wireless network with Internet sharing via a stand alone USB modem or via a dial up modem but I don't know how to achive this without resorting to having one computer running.

My advice to Geoff was to take the route that you seem to be suggesting I said was impossible. My own network runs without a computer being switched on - it was one of the reasons I went over that way when braodband finally became available where it live...

As for the standards, a and b are not compatible (alhtough devices capable of supporting both standards exist) and even use different frequencies but g is compatible with b. Try reading this if you don't believe me.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 03:56 PM

Jon, your directions were not particularly clear. They still aren't, upon rereading. I'll just shoot the messenger.

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 04:09 PM

You don't need the same protocols all throughout a system - but you do need the same protocols between any 2 directly connected nodes of course (read computers for tech newbies.)

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Justa Picker
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 04:26 PM

Jon....with a wireless router, the modem plugs into the router INSTEAD of any computer. The primary computer that will control the router settings needs either a hard wired connection or a wireless connection to the router. That computer then only needs to be turned on to make changes to those router settings (like setting access points, encryption keys, etc.

The rest of the time it can be turned off. All the networking and internet etc. signals are sent to computer via THE ROUTER not any computer. Is this any clearer?

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 05:08 PM

JP, I understand the method with the combined modem/router. My set up is like that except my unit is wired, not wireless.

The question Geoff asked was could his USB modem be used (and Allan which I took to mean dial up).

The only solutions using equipment I have seen I can think of involve having a computer switched on.

If you are saying that there is a wireless router with an input port to accept the USB cable from a modem and with adsl, dial when needed, great, that answers the question that it can be done without a computer running. Similarly with dialup, is there a wireless router on the market that would accept my serial port modem?

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 05:19 PM

A serial port modem? That must be ancient. (Sorry to pick on you earlier, I should have added a smiley face to my last post).

I did a search on serial modems, and among the hits found this message from Intel:

End of Interactive Support Announcement
These products are no longer being manufactured by Intel. Additionally, Intel no longer provides interactive support for these products via telephone or e-mail, nor will Intel provide any future software updates to support new operating systems or improve compatibility with third party devices and software products.

THESE DOCUMENTS ARE PROVIDED FOR HISTORICAL REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE "LEGAL INFORMATION" LINK BELOW. For information on currently available Intel products, please see www.intel.com and/or developer.intel.com

Is this the kind of modem you're using? Perhaps the contributes to the confusion. If this was provided by your Internet provider, then it's time for an upgrade.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: How To Create a Wireless Home Network
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 07 Jan 05 - 05:51 PM

Serial, SRS, I've got one connected to my PC and I used it regularly until I think about Feb/March last year when ADSL became available on our phoneline and we switched to broadband (btw until then 28.8K was the best we could get). I keep this modem in the system as a backup route out to the internet (I have a free pay per call dial up account as well as the broadband) and have had occasion to use it and have been glad of its presence.

When we got broadband, our ISP supplied us with a free USB modem. Ours is a Sagem but I think it is similar to the type Geoff was talking about. It has 2 ports. One is USB and the other connects to the phone line via the ADSL filter. The unit is powered by the USB port and is installed on Windows via dialup network.

Pretty soon after getting broadband and the "permanent" connection, I decided I'd take better advantage of the network and (dare I say) get round needing one PC switched on by purchasing a router. I "scrapped" my existing USB modem and bought an ADSL modem/router (Netgear DG384). As I said above, I went wired because I already had a wired network (but I can see that the wireless version of the same would work in the same way).

The wireless portion came in when I bought my laptop and wanted to roam but rather than buying a wireless router, I opted for an access point which plugs into the router as it was cheaper.