Wireless Internet Advice

[Yezzy]

Hi!

I need some advice as I am confused and a newb to the wireless world! Please help!

Here is the situation:

I have 2 desktop PCs and a notebook. One of my PCs has an ADSL connection via an external USB modem. My notebook is 802.11b compliant.

I would like to share the internet connection between all 3 computers. I've looked around and have seen things like an all-in-one ADSL modem and wireless router. So in effect I could plug this into the phone socket, buy 2 wireless cards for the desktops and I can share my internet without wires? *however*, there seems to be no such product that supports 802.11g? I've been advised to go for g as it's faster?

Another question is that, do I need a router? or could I just by a wireless modem (do they exist?) and 2 cards and then I'm done?

Basically, what would be the best and lowest cost way to share my connection between all 3 computers?

Thanks for you time.
Colin

[EricB]

Do you want to keep your usb modem? If so, you're limited in the number of things you can do. There's a router that might handle your usb modem, namely
http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2200usb.html

I am not sure what kind of budget you're looking at, but since you've got a b-standard network card, you might want to stick with that. G-standard is much faster, but to have full benefit, you need to have only g-cards in your network. b= 11mbps while g= 54mbps!

Plz let me know so we can recommend what you should get.

[Yezzy]

Hi!

Thanks for the reply EricB.

I do not mind if I have to dump the modem (for some reason it seems that everyone is bringing out usb modems, yet the vast majority of routers take ethernet modems!?).

My budget is around the US$300 - US$400 area and I would prefer an all-in-one solution (one box).

I have seen wireless routers for the b standard, but as I would be getting g standard card for both desktops, only the notebook would be b standard? Or is b standard fast enough seeing as I only have a 1.5m ADSL connection?

Thanks,
Colin

p.s. I have the Speedtouch 330 modem thats on the link you posted =)

[EricB]

If you have that amount to spent, you should go for linkys products. I think you might get two wireless cards, one for your pc, one for your laptop and a wireless router. Check it out at:

http://www.linksys.com/products/

The 11mbps is more than enough when you've got a 1.5m internet connection. But........ if you want to transfer files and share printers, 54mbps is much better. Especially since the range is much better. The mbps drops is you extend the wireless range. Moreover, the 54mpbs is working on another channel and is thus less vulnerable for interference with other products such as, remote controls, dect phones, microwaves etc.

To be more specific, go for products in these two ranges.
http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=33&scid=35
http://www.linksys.com/products/group.asp?grid=33&scid=36

[Yezzy]

Thanks for all the information!

However, after looking at the products, I couldn't find one that had a built-in modem and was g standard. So it looks as though I have to use my old USB modem, but then I saw that none of the routers allowed USB modems only ethernet ones.

Do I even need a router? Will a wireless modem and some wireless cards do the trick?

Again thanks for clarifying the b and g standard (about the range and possible interference). I might just go for b standard as the is a wireless/modem/router combination product out there for this standard.

Thanks.

[EricB]

Since you wrote that you're not bound to that usb modem, I expected you to buy another modem instead. Yes, the products I recommended are all working on ethernet. So, you'll need a ethernet dsl based connection.

Ofcourse you can also do the trick without a router. In that case you would have to go for a peer-to-peer connection. Note, that your pc with dsl connection needs to be turned on whenever you want to go onto the internet with your laptop.

If you go for this option, you'll need a wireless card for your basestation.

For config details, check out

http://practicallynetworked.com/sharing/

[Yezzy]

Thanks!

I've made up my mind know and am going to dump the USB modem =)

Again thanks for the help and clarifying something about wireless.

Col