AndyVX Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 So, I've got the whole wired network thing down pat. Pretty much can do it blindfolded. Add wireless into the mix, and I turn all stupid. I'm going to give you what my current setup is, and then tell you what I'm wanting to do. I just need someone to tell me what I need. Current setup: Cable Modem -> Linksys Wired Cable/DSL Router (4 port) -> Netgear FS108 Switch (8 port) -> Multiple Computers. Now I'm going to be buying a notebook computer in the next while, which I'm going to want to be able to surf wirelessly with it. Maybe having my Xbox hooked up wirelessly too... maybe(it'll depend on how far away from my computer it is). I'm going to be moving out on my own soon (anyone in Toronto wanna go halfs on rent? ) but I haven't found a place yet. Regardless though, I don't want to be running CAT5 all over the apartment. I'd like to be able to surf from my bedroom and on the couch which will be infront of the TV. So, what do I need to buy? Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishepa Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 Well, you'll first need a wireless broadband router, such as the D-Link 614+ (which I just bought at Best Buy for $29.99 w/ rebates). Then all you will need is wireless PC cards for every PC or notebook computer you wish to get on the network. Its pretty simple really. This is all you should need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 You can also keep your current router and make the set-up you're used to work wirelessly. Simply connect something like the Linksys WAP11 ($80 http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...9366&loc=14451) to your router. That'll send and receive data from your router. Connect your Xbox with a Wireless Bridge like the Linksys WET11 ($80 http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...1908&loc=14451). Connect your laptop via a wireless PC card ($50 http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...9367&loc=14451) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamsappel Posted August 27, 2003 Report Share Posted August 27, 2003 This Linksys router at bestbuy.com comes with the notebook wireless card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyVX Posted August 28, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 Ok thanks for the info. I don't plan on replacing my current router. It works, and since there's another (I would think it's a cheaper route) way around not having a wireless router, that's what I'll do. The notebook will have built in 802.11b/g so I don't need to worry about buying a card for it. So, the setup would be something like this I'm guessing. ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Netgear Switch -> Multiple Desktops Cable Modem -> Linksys 4 Port Router -> ///////////////////////////////////////////////// Linksys WAP11 -> Notebook (and possibly Xbox) Few questions again now... can the WAP11 feed more than one device, or do I need to buy a WAP11 for every device that needs the connection simultaneously? This is probably just asking the obvious here, but the WAP11 has a RJ-45 jack right? If the signal from the WAP11 doesn't reach all areas of my apartment, can I connect a second one with a longer CAT5 cable and stick it where I'm not getting a good signal from the first WAP11? I'll look into that WEP11 for the Xbox. As I said, I wont know until I move into my apartment if I'm going to infact need it or not. Hmm, thinking about it, it looks as though I am possibly going to have to run CAT5 cable around the apartment if I need to be connecting more than one WAP11. Thanks again everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 Few questions again now... can the WAP11 feed more than one device, or do I need to buy a WAP11 for every device that needs the connection simultaneously? No, it only has one ethernet "out". You'll need a hub at that end. This is currently my problem as my hub isn't working with the WAP11. I'm sure it's me though as it used to work perfectly. This is probably just asking the obvious here, but the WAP11 has a RJ-45 jack right? Yes, though there are other models that use USB. If the signal from the WAP11 doesn't reach all areas of my apartment, can I connect a second one with a longer CAT5 cable and stick it where I'm not getting a good signal from the first WAP11? First of all, unless you have a massive apartment (or if it's constructed with lots of metal) this probably won't be a problem. In my previous life (married) I had a good sized house. I could walk all the way to my neighbors living room and still get good reception from the WAP11. But yes, you could place the WAP11 in an area where you know you get good reception and just run a longer ethernet cable to the device (Xbox). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyVX Posted August 28, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 Camp, I think you've gotten me confused here. What are you talking about when you say the WAP11 has ethernet out and run an ethernet cable from the WAP11 to my Xbox? If I'm connecting my Xbox with wires, I'm just going to connect it to my Netgear switch. And umm, so the WAP11 cannot provide internet access to more than one device at a time? (wait hold on... my diagram didn't show up properly. let me fix it) *edit* there, the diagram is fixed in my post just above. hopefully everyone can understand it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Monkey Posted August 28, 2003 Report Share Posted August 28, 2003 As you know, you connect an ethernet cable from the ethernet port of your Xbox to the wireless devices ethernet port. I believe Camp is suggesting making that cord long enough to fiddle with the wireless device's placement to ensure good reception. -j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyVX Posted August 29, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2003 Oh ok... you're talking about the WET11. Makes sense now. So, what I'm still not clear on is this... lets say I had two laptops with 802.11b. Could I use both at the same time to browse the web with only one WAP11? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted August 29, 2003 Report Share Posted August 29, 2003 So, what I'm still not clear on is this... lets say I had two laptops with 802.11b. Could I use both at the same time to browse the web with only one WAP11? Yes. Sorry about the confusion...all those silly product initials! The WET11 (the wireless bridge) can only connect to one device (i.e. Xbox) at a time but the WAP11 can communicate to several items at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishepa Posted August 29, 2003 Report Share Posted August 29, 2003 The WAP is a wireless access point, and to an access point you can connect multiple stations (ie., laptops). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyVX Posted August 29, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2003 Heh, ok thanks everyone. I realized now that I was referring to the WET11 as WEP11 earlier, which was probably causing some confusion. You're right Camp, too many confusing product initials. Well, thanks everyone for the help. Once I find my apartment and get my laptop, I'll let ya all know how it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camp Posted August 30, 2003 Report Share Posted August 30, 2003 Microsoft's line of Xbox themed wireless products are due this fall: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...crosoft_xbox_dc I've seen the retail boxes and pricing estimates. I don't remember specifics but I do remember thinking the discussed prices were very resonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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