Wireless networking problem

[ZaijiaN]

Here was the plan: network together 2 desktops in the same room + a laptop, give them all cable internet access. Sounds simple, get a wireless router to hook up the 2 desktops, get a wireless PCMCIA card for the laptop. It would have been that easy, had Time Warner been able to install a cable modem somewhere remotely near the 2 desktops. Instead, they had to install it on the other side of the house. So my question is, is there a way to wirelessly connect the modem to the WAN port on the router? The only other way I can see is to connect the router to the modem directly, and connect some sort of wireless relay to a hub for the 2 desktops. So what are your recommendations, and what hardware do I need to get?

[unixfan]

You can do the second option, then buy a ethernet to wireless converter or buy the WAP11 from Linksys and run it in AP client mode and connect a hub to it for the 2 computers...

[Fumbler]

Sounds similar to what I did (but boy, was it a struggle - but I've got it working now).

Plug the cable into the router; and the router into a nearby situated wireless access point (WAP). Then a wireless adapter into each PC/laptop.

I used DLink's 802.11a stuff (seems quite good hardware; poor support): DI-604 router (but reputedly any will do); DWL-5000AP WAP; DWL-A520 into each PC; DWL-A650 into the laptop.

Our stuff spread over about 500 sq.ft. Longest path is about 35 feet.

I'm told that the 802.11b will work equally well and as quickly and is much cheaper - I'd thought that the 'a' was needed for broadband.

[unixfan]

you were told right, 802.11a is just a higher bandwidth wireless standards, but usually range isn't as good and is more proned to interference...