Wireless networking

[Grog]

Does anyone here have a wireless network set up at home? We are moving into a townhouse and are thinking about putting our computers upstairs and downstairs instead of both upstairs. If we do this it would be so much easier to go with a wireless network.

I'd like to hear anything you have to share, positive or negative. What kind of wireless router/cards to you use? Have you experienced slower downloads? Any info appreciated.

TIA

 

[Pop Daddy]

I have it, got two computers going on, and its doesnt slow things down at all, I love it

 

[Dan Murphy]

We have one, Netgear router, Linksys card, works great.

 

[Tina]

We have a Linksys wireless network at home. We are running 4 computers and 2 laptops without any problems. Its so nice to just flip on the laptop and go anywhere I want with it - including outside on the deck.

 

[geffric]

We have a D-Link router and D-Link cards for 3 computers and 1 laptop. Works great..

 

[amid chaos]

I have installed netgear and linksys...both tech supports were great.

 

[Danauk]

We have a wireless conection in our house. We usually have 2 (sometimes 3) computers turned on so that we can use both printers that we have and we can also have 3 laptops on at the same time. We are on a broadband connection which is really quick anyway and have had no problems. In the summer I often sit on out swingseat at the back of the garden (the router is in my DH's study at the front of the house) and can suft the internet and print work from there no problem.

 

[Grog]

Thanks everyone. Great responses! I have been looking at Wireless routers and cards at Best Buy the last few days. Linksys seems to have some pretty good prices on their stuff.

 

[janette]

We are also on linksys wireless and haven't had any problems. There are 4 computers upstairs and 4 down. We've had it since we moved 2 1/2 years ago and prices have gotten much better and they are also faster now.

 

[pmcpmc]

Have a broadband wireless connection . Boys game upstairs while I dance the Disboards.

 

[HomeToPIT]

Wireless is great! I use Macintosh's Airport here at home to connect a Mac notebook, a Dell desktop, and an IBM notebook.

I just set up a wireless network for my church office a couple of weeks ago. It has 8 Dell desktops. I used all Netgear equipment. Amazon.com had some great deals on the hardware. Setup was easy and the cable connection is now shared.

A couple of points that should be mentioned:

Speed. There are currently two different wireless speeds out there. If the main use that you will using wireless for is to surf the net, the slower speed (802.11b) is fine, and the prices are pretty low right now.

If you are moving large files between computers, or if you are playing games between the computers, you may want to pay a bit more and get the higher speed equipment (802.11g)

The other item which is very important is that by going wireless, you may be opening up your computers to hackers. Especially if you are in a condominium or your neighbors are close.

Any computer that has a wireless card can "see" your wireless signal. Actually, I can steal my neighbors wireless Internet access right now!

The first step when setting up a wireless network is to not give it an obvious name such as "Frank's wireless". Give it a nondescript name.

The second step is you can configure your wireless router to not broadcast its name. This makes it harder for a casual neighbor to see your wireless, but when you initially setup your computers, you must type in the name of your wireless network.

Third, and the most important, ENABLE WEP SECURITY on your router!!!!!!! This will slow your speed down a bit but it ensures that any info that is passed between your computers and the wireless network is unreadable to anyone except authorized users. Very, very, important!!

And last, but not least, invest in a good virus/firewall software program like Mcafee or Norton. And keep the updates current.

Wireless is fun, I also take my notebook outside on a nice day to do my work. Feel free to email me if you need any help.

Peace

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Linksys here. Wireless G. I even went a step further than HomeToPIT and filtered the MAC addresses of any incoming wireless devices to only those I included on my list and DO NOT set it up to remotely change the router settings.

 

[Rajah]

Yep. We use a Linksys router, and rarely have trouble with it. That's all the technical details I can give you, though. LOL!! DH handles the rest. We also just set up my parents with wireless as well and they're happy with theirs, too.

 

[luv2nascar]

Linksys here also. Love it.
Live in a townhouse and you can "borrow" neighbors if you live relatively close. so do as the other op suggested to protect your info.

 

[Lynn CC]

We have a Netgear w/Linskys card and cable line, it hooks up DS's computer and mine. No problems and we love it!

 

[JetMom]

We have a wireless system too. I don't know the specs as DH set it up and he's not home now. I do know that we have up to 3 computers going at a time and I can lie in bed and DIS in my PJ's!

 

[Evil Princess]

Linksys while at home from college and I love it Rarely gives me problems (after I fooled around with the settings) and allows me to surf on my laptop in bed while my brother and sister are online downstairs!

 

[MelindaKiah]

Okay, we are very interested in a wireless network, but have no clue!!! We have two computers. What would we need to hook the two up to our DSL modem??

Thanks!!

 

[Alex]

I have both wired and wireless in my house plus we use wireless at a ton of customers. The only downside to wireless that I can see is that it doesn't work well with really sensitive database applications, obviously not a problem at home!
I agree, there is NO advantage whatsoever to using the more expensive 802.11G wireless if all you are using it for is surfing the net. The 802.11C stuff has come way down in price and is as fast as any cable modem or DSL line can handle anyway!
Did you know you can get a mile range out of this stuff?
All it takes is a pringles can

This is excellent if you have a pool or a building far from the house or if you want to share a line with a neighbor!

pringles antenna

12 mile range sounds pretty cool

 

[Laurabearz]

I am going to put in a wireless system when we add on a second story to our house... It will be nice to have my laptop on DSL, and the thought of reading email outside next summer is devine!