I have a simple wireless home networking setup question!

External Since: Jan 23, 2004 Posts: 7

....or 3.

1) I have a Speedstream USB DSL modem, and I want to set up my desktop
PC computer to simply share the hi-speed internet connection with
another desktop PC computer down the hall, about 50 feet away, sans
wires. If I get a wireless router, do BOTH computers also need a PCI
wireless adapter card, or is it just the remote computer that needs an
adapter card, since the router already has an antenna that can
(presumably) communicate with the remote computer's wireless adapter
card?

2) Also, I understand both the cards and the router have to conform to
the same standard (ie. 802.11b). Does this mean I can buy any router
and PCI card that conform to this standard and expect them to be
compatible, or are there compatibility issues I need to consider when
pairing a wireless PCI adapter card with a wireless router of another
manufacturer?

3) What about compatibility issues between the router and my service
provider's DSL modem; do I need to ensure the wireless router can
accept a USB connection, or do I need to ask my provider to supply a
modem with an Ethernet connection, etc?

Thanks a bunch to anyone for clarifying any of these issues for me!
I've read a lot of FAQ's and articles on home networking, and found
none of them were clear enough to answer these questions.

External Since: Feb 25, 2004 Posts: 57

"Joe Samangitak" <joesamang RemoveThis @address.com> wrote in message
news:5e231d22.0502040723.70ff519b@posting.google.com...
> ...or 3.
>
> 1) I have a Speedstream USB DSL modem, and I want to set up my desktop
> PC computer to simply share the hi-speed internet connection with
> another desktop PC computer down the hall, about 50 feet away, sans
> wires. If I get a wireless router, do BOTH computers also need a PCI
> wireless adapter card, or is it just the remote computer that needs an
> adapter card, since the router already has an antenna that can
> (presumably) communicate with the remote computer's wireless adapter
> card?
>
> 2) Also, I understand both the cards and the router have to conform to
> the same standard (ie. 802.11b). Does this mean I can buy any router
> and PCI card that conform to this standard and expect them to be
> compatible, or are there compatibility issues I need to consider when
> pairing a wireless PCI adapter card with a wireless router of another
> manufacturer?
>
> 3) What about compatibility issues between the router and my service
> provider's DSL modem; do I need to ensure the wireless router can
> accept a USB connection, or do I need to ask my provider to supply a
> modem with an Ethernet connection, etc?
>
>
> Thanks a bunch to anyone for clarifying any of these issues for me!
> I've read a lot of FAQ's and articles on home networking, and found
> none of them were clear enough to answer these questions.

It's not as hard as it seems.

On the computer next to the modem, you can run a cable to the router. The
remote computer needs a wireless NIC. I prefer a USB one, since I can then
put it up higher. I also recommend 802.11g, not b, since it is faster for
sharing files between the computers.

Personally, I like the Linksys WRT54G and their USB2 adapter. Have worked
flawlessly for me for years (various Linksys models).

Tom