Wireless Access Point / Cable Router Combo Suggestions

I just purchased a townhouse and wired it up with CAT6 and fiber for gaming, but I am also looking into getting a cable modem router/WAP combo since I was going to get them separately anyway. The reason for the WAP is so that I can use a laptop on the couch, kitchen, garage, and back porch without a patch cable tying me down. I have searched around the archives, but since this is new technology, I wanted to see what people use now. I used a Linksys router for my parents house and it works flawlessly for them so I was considering the combo WAP/Router/4 port switch for me. Someone else also suggested that I go with Netgear's combo. And there are probably 10 more on the market now. Can anyone suggest which one I should take a closer look at? I'll probably set it up in my basement. Do you foresee any connectivity problems with that? Any help is apreciated. Thanks!

I just picked up a 3com 802.11b wireless access point from tiger direct that also has a cable/dsl router and 3port switch in it for 129$ The only drawback so far is that the firewall doesnt allow virtual servers. I've used dlink, cisco and linksys cards with it so far with no problems. I've also installed a few d link dwl100ap's for customers, again with no problems. As for connectivity problems, i've yet to see any and am gonna start trying some of the cheaper, generic cards to see how well they perform. If anyone has had issues, I'd be intrested in hearing them also.....

Here are some helpful tips on placement of a WAP. I currently am using the linksys wap cable/dsl router with 4 port switch. I was having an issue with my linksys cable modem, which in the end appears to be a AT&T problem that has since settled, when I asked the linksys tech for some pointers on positioning my WAP so I got a better signal. Here is what he wrote.

There are interferences to observe in wireless networking. Leaded glass,
metal, reinforced concrete floors and walls may
inhibit the signal and reduce range. Start with your wireless access point
and your wireless PC or Laptop in the same
room and move away in small increments to determine the maximum range in
your environment.

Once the units are further than 10 feet apart, the antenna signals will
reflect off of walls, tables, and people, thus changing
signal polarization. Outdoor polarization has an even greater effect. If
there aren't any objects in the path of the two radio
cards, or there are not any nearby trees or structures, the two radios
should be on different planes to achieve the best range
and to minimize packet error rate.

Placement of the card is important. If one computer is buried under a desk,
loss will occur. If inside of a car, glass and metal
will cause degradation. Some examples below offer some effective losses
(consider as relative percentages) … even moisture hurts.

I would suggest placing the wireless access point to as high as you can if
you use one. If your network spans floors, try to place
the wireless access point on the upper floor. If you want to connect while
you're outside, place the wireless access point
near a window. Keep it away from large metal objects like filing cabinets
and away from operating microwave ovens or 2.4GHz cordless phones.

Wireless Ethernet is great but there is a lot of guesswork involved with the placement of the WAP. Personally I wouldnt place it in the basement unless thats where the access needs to be. Keep the receits until youre happy with the setup and good luck

Best regards

This is not something the salespeople usually push so I will say it: Make sure you turn the encryption ON in every wireless device you will be using (card, access point) otherwise the kid that lives a couple doors down will start messing with your network. I would advise to get devices that use 128 bit versus 64 bit encryption. And don't forget to change the key values (u determine them yourself) every so often. Welcome to the wireless revolution =)

I decided to go the wireless route as well to reduce the amount of cables running around the house.

I went with Dlink equipment (no particular reason) I got their DWL-1000AP & the DWL-120. Documentation for both items was poor to say the least. I messed around with trying to get it to work for about 5 hours yesterday with no success.

I setup consists of a cablemodem to 5 port hub, hub to WAP and XP machine. AP configures up nicely. It grabs an IP address and I can ping it from my XP machine.

I installed the DWL-120 on a 98SE machine and it receives a strong signal and the correct information (MAC, SSID etc) but I can't ping the AP or get any type of data xfer. Spent an hour on the phone with a tech from Dlink and that didn't get my anywhere. Trying to ping the AP from the 98SE machine comes up with Unreachable everytime.

Sorry to be long winded. For me so far the wireless experience has been less than fruitful. Any suggestions, tips or type of gun to use on it would be greatly appreciated. ;)

Interesting point with keeping the WAP away from 2.4Ghz phones. Will the wireless network still work if I have a 2.4 phone? Should I keep the bases apart or should I just get rid of my phone and pick up a 900mhz phone. I didn't really need to talk all the way down my block on my cordless phone anyway...

[quote]Originally posted by Miphnik:
<strong>I decided to go the wireless route as well to reduce the amount of cables running around the house.

I went with Dlink equipment (no particular reason) I got their DWL-1000AP & the DWL-120. Documentation for both items was poor to say the least. I messed around with trying to get it to work for about 5 hours yesterday with no success.

I setup consists of a cablemodem to 5 port hub, hub to WAP and XP machine. AP configures up nicely. It grabs an IP address and I can ping it from my XP machine.

I installed the DWL-120 on a 98SE machine and it receives a strong signal and the correct information (MAC, SSID etc) but I can't ping the AP or get any type of data xfer. Spent an hour on the phone with a tech from Dlink and that didn't get my anywhere. Trying to ping the AP from the 98SE machine comes up with Unreachable everytime.

Sorry to be long winded. For me so far the wireless experience has been less than fruitful. Any suggestions, tips or type of gun to use on it would be greatly appreciated. ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Make sure you setup your wirless nic's to use infrastructure and not ad-hoc. Infrastucture basicly means you are using an access point were ad-hoc is more "peer-to-peer".

Also I find it helpful to get the network running without encryption first, then adding it. It sems sometimes the encryption settings don't jibe at first. Also watch your ESSID and dont ever use the default......

I dont think you need to throw out your phone. Just keep it away from the WAP. I dont know the frequency that 802.11 (I think thats the number) works at but Im sure its high and that the phone could interfer with it.

Just try different placements of the WAP and keep the box and everything in one piece in case you arent satisfied with it. Remember that one of wirelesses drawbacks is that there are going to be places where reception will suck.

Play around with the placement and see where you can and cant get a signal. Decide where you really need a signal and where you dont. Place the point where you get a good signal where you need to access the network. Its not an exact science you will have to play with it to get the best signals.

Best regards

I agree with the use of encryption. Our school uses 2 different technics, they uses 2 encryption keys (getting that to work with XP was a challenge) and MAC address authentication. I'm going to eventualy pick up a WAP for use at home.

[quote]I dont think you need to throw out your phone <hr></blockquote>

Interesting read on minimizing Wireless interference issues from<a href="http://www.80211-planet.com/tutorials/article/0,4000,10724_953511,00.html" target="_blank">80211planet.com</a>

About half way down is the part about the 2.4 ghz phones. And Microwaves too :eek: Though I'm told if you put the Wireless access point on channel 3 or 6 (or is it 3 or 11) that those channels are out of the 2.4 ghz broadcast range or less likely to be affected by phones or something. I'm sure if you call the manufacturer of the WAP, they can set you strait to the right channels to try.

[quote]Originally posted by craigmodius:
<strong>

About half way down is the part about the 2.4 ghz phones. And Microwaves too :eek: Though I'm told if you put the Wireless access point on channel 3 or 6 (or is it 3 or 11) that those channels are out of the 2.4 ghz broadcast range or less likely to be affected by phones or something. I'm sure if you call the manufacturer of the WAP, they can set you strait to the right channels to try.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Very interesting read. It would be interesting to compare the different channels to see what channel works best in what environment.

Well after spending a good hour with the tech from Dlink and having him give up in frustration as well I ended up taking the entire setup back and trying another brand. Glad that I did.

I stopped in CompUSA and came across SMC's WAP. Seemed like a great deal. WAP/Router/3 port hug/Printer server all in one for only $150. Took it home and connected the receiverd to the second computer and immediately both computers started seeing each other. I had to update the firmware on the AP for it to work with DHCP once done though it works flawlessly. The manual while not the best in the world was definately better than what Dlink provided.