Hi all.

I have used a 'dumb' ADSL modem for a few years now. So I have to control the connection with my server using PPPoE software and then pass the connection off with a 2nd NIC to a switch, which then all clients on the network hook up to.

Moving house and adding cabling throughout the house and looking at adding wireless to the mix; I am re-thinking my layout.

How are these modem/routers/wireles AP devices ?

Do people use these more then my more manual configuration ? If so, what are the disadvantages of using this over a manual setup ?

Any input on this matter would be great.

Cheers.

I find the best setup for a home network is using a wireless/wired HUB; like the Linksys models that are out there for cheap. Connect your ADSL modem to the HUB's Internet port and then wire all your CAT5's to the HUB's RJ45 jacks. Your home network will be hidden from the Internet and only seen as one IP using NAT technology. If you need to expose a PC's port to the Internet (eg. gaming, torrents), the HUB's web interface will allow you to port forward without a problem. In addition, any wireless device can connect to the HUB and access the Internet as well.

Buying a cheap Linksys wireless router like the WRT54GL was the best buy I ever made.

I prefer a linux box as a router/firewall over a hardware device like a Dlink or Linksys. The reason being that you can configure and expand a linux box as it's needed.

Most hardware devices have limited functions and if they don't have what you need, you then have to buy another one. You can setup all types of programs to run on them, like proxy, anti-spam, anti-virus etc...Also a good way to recycle old machines that are just lying arouned.

On the other hand hardware devices tend to use alot less power than a linux box, and are a lot smaller, space maybe a determinig factor.

I used to use my Linksys router and a Linux PC with 2 NICs. One NIC was hooked up to the Internet and the other was to the HUB. It ran RADIUS authentication for wireless connections and traffic control to the router. I guess it depends on how paranoid you want to be.

Thanks guys. It seems its just a personal preference... so far.

So how do users who prefer the more manual, Linux box as their router add wireless ? Buy the cheapest AP they can ? Use a wireless card in their Linux router to act as an AP ?

Thanks for your opinions.

Yeah this is exactly what I do now, but with a Linux box which also does http, smtp, imap, pop3 etc etc.

I am cabling the house with Cat6 cables and gettign a Gbit switch, so wouldn't want to connect devices through a 10/100 devices for accessing other PC's inside the network [of course net access is fine as its only 1.5Mbit]

You should be aware that not all Wireless cards are AP compatible though.
I had to buy two wireless cards before I got one that worked as an AP.
Check out madwifi-ng (search google) before actually buying one.

Try the Linux Hardware Compatability List before purchasing. IMHO the forums have great advice...be cautious before spending the budget. We have similar systems, not identical systems usually. See here as well...http://tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/howtos.html Another useful tool is www.pricegrabber.com Click on details for a product description and it will take YOU to the Manufacturer's Web Page <sometimes>. This is useful when the product support is scarce or no longer found quickly in www.google.com