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My boss just got a new laptop with windows me and wants to connect (wireless) to our windows nt hard wired ethernet lan. Can this be done? Any compatibility issues between operating systems? This will all be in the same building, so yes I could just install more network jacks in the conference rooms (that's the actual reason behind all of this).
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With a wireless access point you should have no problems (other than ME problems.)
I'm not a big fan of wireless networks, but it can be done and it should be fairly easy. Or so they say. :) What you need is a wireless NIC for the laptop along with a wireless bridge that will connect your wireless network to the wired one. The rest of the network will not know that your computer is wireless. I don't know who the best brand is to do this, but stick with the same brand. Assuming everything works as planned I would not expect the whole setup to take more then maybe 30 minutes. Just make sure the bridge is connected not too far from the laptop. It does need a hardwired connection to the net, however, you can use several laptops with the same bridge. It's just like the cellular tower, it links the two networks together.
The whole building is barely 100 ft. across so I don't think distance will be a problem. Thanks all.
Be aware of the security holes in 802.11b. These are well documented and will allow anyone access to your network even if you enable 40 or 128bit encryption.
Make sure you do your homework though...
A wireless lan is MUCH less secure than it's wired counterpart. Remember, I could be sitting in the parking lot across the street and be on your LAN, probing your security from the INSIDE. Be sure t change your network numbers and restrict access by MAC address. It can be made secure, but I have seen many that just don't bother. Someday, you should drive through your neighborhood and just how many LANs you can get on.
You'd be surprised.