wireles 802.11

[Cable Modem Tech]

hi there all, I have a client who wants me to make him a small network in his home so that he can share his cable modem.

He wants to go wireless, there will be 2 pc systems and it should be scalable for addition of another pc or a laptop in the future.

I was considering oing with a Linksys witeless 4 port cable/dsl router. and 2 wireless nic's from Linksys as well.

Can someone please tell me what to expect from this?
I have never used wireless before and want to make sure that it is going to run well for him.
mostly he will be sharing the net connection but there may be a little bit of local file and print sharing too.

the 2 computers are located on different floors of the house. and it is a brick home if that matters.
well thanks in advance.

CMT

[Cygnus]

Its just an opinion but I wouldnt go with the Linksys router for two reasons.

1.) We have had serious problems here with getting them setup and staying that way (although admittedly most of this involves DSL, not Cable)
2.) The entire network at our local college was shut down when one of those routers was cracked into and permanently ruined (I have no idea how).

We use a D-Link residential gateway connected to a 6 port hub in my office for the connection shareing and it works like a charm.

As far as the wireless, I have only experimented with that connection type in close proximity. I had no trouble in the same room but on different floors might be different. I will say this, I wouldnt be concerned about the brick in the home but I would be concerned about any steel used in the construction. too much of that will shut you down quick as one of my clients found out the hard way.

[Ya_know]

Someone here will have better experience with wireless and can confirm the connectivity through walls and floors. I personally would offer him a wired solution, and install ports in every room of the house if he so desires. But then that is me.

[thirdfey]

I too have not played with Wi-Fi but I know MaximumPC Mag in April did a review of a couple Wi-Fi routers including the Linksys. I believe they recommend the D-Link DI-713 because it was a router, wireless, and ethernet switch all in one but it was pricey.

[Cable Modem Tech]

were pretty much set with going with the wireless. they claim a decent indoor range on there site.
from what i see the farther apart they are the slower the mbps rate.
I would like to hear from some one who has sucessfully hooked this up to see how it works and the possible problems.

[mikehoats]

At my work i support wireless netwerkin stuff
and i must say linksux i mean linksys is not what i would choose. I am kinda biased seeing how i work for Orinoco wireless but our product i think is the best on the market for the price. Our RG-1000 recently passed WI-FI certification as well as our USB client. Ease of use is high with this thingy and i can even help ya walk thru the install <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Check out our website null (http://null)here (http://orinocowireless.com/) or even call our number for pre-sales tech support. The RG can support up to 10 users sharing the connect. Has NAT capability....more q's respond <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

[mikehoats]

just read my reply and i think i came off sounding like a filthy stinkin salesman. Sorry <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> Ill add this......our RG-1000 totally kicks a$$ <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Twisted_Mister]

Jeez help, this isn't a store to sell products.

We have a number of wireless inspection station throughout my plant. We have both Cisco and linksys. The Cisco is far superior to the Linksys, but far more expensive as well. For office areas, we use the Linksys (yes it goes through drywall.) We use the Cisco in the plant for extended range and reliabilty.

You can say what you will, (and I do NOT work for Linksys) but I have had ZERO problems with our hardware after we set it up. It really boils down to this: You have 2 brands to choose from-- the expensive ones and the cheap ones. Don't let lofty rhetoric convince you otherwise. <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[In The Wind]

Lots of good equipment out there, Intel has wireless boxes also. Just a tip, you can change the radiation pattern of the box by changing the antenna that you use or by running LMR400 coax from the box to a more desirable location for the antenna. You can also change the polarization of the two antennas to minimze outside interference, or add directivity to your setup. They also have other parameters that can be changed to effect the same issues. Just work with the MFG if needed as each box MFG is different in these parameters. Have fun, this is fun stuff.

[cyberhh]

IF the boxes are all within 100' and no more than one floor away it SHOULD work. It will be plenty fast for the cable modem and he should be able to share files/printers okay. I would not reccommend streaming video from one machine to the other and wired will be faster and more stable, but your solution should work. Also - everyone here has an opinion as to hardware - just buy from a major vendor (CompUSA, BestBuy for retail, Ingram Micro - Wholesale) and then if it does not preform like you expect - return it.

[korpse]

If he's rich tell him to go for the Cisco Aironet 350 series!