Newbie question

[gtodell]

I am ready to dive into wireless networking for my home but have a few questions regarding the equipment I should consider.

My office (at home) is about 150' from my bedroom and there are 4 walls that wireless data would have to contend with. I also have a guest house that is about 100' from my office and there are 3 walls between my office and the guest house.

Given the above, what would be a good wireless solution for me? I have a desktop PC in my office, a desktop PC in the guest house and a laptop in my bedroom. Most of the "out of office use" will be simple net surfing but I do web development as well and would need decent speed when accessing my office PC.

Many thanks in advance for your recommendations.

By the way, I have a 2.4 ghz Uniden phone. It's the best phone I have ever had but from what I have read here it appears I may have to forgo the phone if I buy 802.11b.

gtodell

[Greenstead]

Before you dive in you should consider throput needs. Wireless is perfect for web use and mobility. It is not good for high throput like file transfer. Where you have fixed desktops you should consider wired connections if feasible.

The most flexible solution is to start from the ISP connection (broadband DLS or cable) and install a router incorporating wired and wireless features (typically a 4 port wireless router). Get a wireless PC card for the laptop and use the laptop to do a 'survey' around the property and see where wireless works well and where it doesn't.

Don't be taken in by the claims for wireless range - divide by at least 5 for reality.Your office and guest room are a bit far for standard wireless. If you are determined to go wireless everywhere buy a router which has a detachable ariel so you can add a booster to it.

Don't buy 802.11b anymore. Go for 802.11g.

D-Link and Linksys are good places to start looking at products.

[gtodell]

Hi Greenstead,

Many thanks for the reply.

I will now start researching the D-Link and Linksys "G" products that are available. If you now of any preferred model that might work best for my situation please let me know.

Have a great weekend.

gtodell

[ragman]

Linksys right now only supply a signal booster for their b range products. Nothing is on the market yet from Linksys, for their g range products.

You might need to get a 3rd party booster, if you go for the linksys g range products.