LinuxQuestions.org
Visit Jeremy's Blog.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Hardware
User Name
Password
Linux - Hardware This forum is for Hardware issues.
Having trouble installing a piece of hardware? Want to know if that peripheral is compatible with Linux?

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 01-16-2008, 02:11 AM   #1
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Rep: Reputation: 30
Wink cordless router and cordless networkcards


Hi again, I live in a flat with every room on one level and am looking for recommendations for a cordless router set up.

I am building a htpc which will be in the living room and was wondering about what cordless router I could have in my guest/office room which is about seven meters away from where the htpc will be based.

I am obviously looking for Linux friendly routers and Linux friendly network cards. I have several computers that are not on all at the same time - but would like the router to manage all of them 7 babies!!

Has anyone done the research and can help me on this one?


Thanks as always

bookie
 
Old 01-16-2008, 03:23 AM   #2
acid_kewpie
Moderator
 
Registered: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Distribution: Gentoo, RHEL, Fedora, Centos
Posts: 43,417

Rep: Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985Reputation: 1985
cordless? you mean wireless i assume?

there's no such thing as a linux compatible router. the network interface an IEEE standards, and operating ssytem agnostic, so pick whatever you want as long as it runs stanard protocols, like IEEE 802.11g for a 54mbps wifi link, and that that is also supported by your card. check our HCL for card recommendations, personally i've had good success with ralink based cards, e.g. a cnet based USB dongle i usually go for each time the dog eats it.
 
Old 01-16-2008, 04:39 AM   #3
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
Thanks for dropping by acid_kewpie. I appreciate your taking the time to give me a heads up on network cards (wireless).

I am thinking of redoing my office/guest room with all my play computers and don't want to go spending money if they suddenly can't run on Linux.

I will look at the HCL.


thanks

bookie
 
Old 01-16-2008, 04:52 AM   #4
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

The card I was thinking of isn't listed in the HCL.

It is a belkin F5D7000YY if anybody knows anything about this particular card?

Much appreciated!!

bookie
 
Old 01-16-2008, 05:24 AM   #5
pusrob
Member
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Distribution: Gentoo
Posts: 505

Rep: Reputation: 36
It seems that belkin might work on linux (at least v3). Look here
But, I would suggest to buy a card which is in the HCL.

Last edited by pusrob; 01-16-2008 at 05:25 AM.
 
Old 01-17-2008, 08:24 PM   #6
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
Hi pusrob

Thanks for the info!! I am trying to concentrate with a broken ankle!!

Just broken my left ankle here in Sweden on ice!!

I will take a closer look at the HCL

bookie
 
Old 01-18-2008, 05:16 AM   #7
pusrob
Member
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Distribution: Gentoo
Posts: 505

Rep: Reputation: 36
Quote:
Originally Posted by bookie View Post
Just broken my left ankle here in Sweden on ice!!
I wish your ankle to become better as soon as possible! Was it a very icy and snowy winter there in Sweden? Because here in Hungary we had some icy and snowy days, in the first days of january, but nothing before and since then. Its about +7 degrees every day here. No snow, no ice, no cold, but only clouds.
 
Old 01-18-2008, 09:45 AM   #8
lazlow
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,363

Rep: Reputation: 172Reputation: 172
Bookie

Be aware that in real life wireless G MAY not have enough bandwidth to effectively stream video. I was using it and had to switch to straight file transfers in order to play without glitches. I finally switched the entire thing to GigE and am far happier with it.

Good Luck
Lazlow
 
Old 01-19-2008, 04:57 AM   #9
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
Smile update

Thanks for your concern pusrob. The weather has been very erratic here in Sweden. We live in the middle by the coast Sundsvall and the snowy winters are usually guaranteed - but the last few years we have been getting lots of snow and then it turns to slush, and begins to rain!!

The weather should be extremely cold now in January but has been plus degrees a lot of the time!!

Not much fun for the people wanting to ski!

Thanks lazlow for your info. I am a bit mystified as to what way I can solve my cable problem!! I would really like to go over to wireless, but and that is the problem - there are a lot of buts at the moment!!

I don't want to pay out for new network cards for several computers - only to find that the next version of the kernel doesn't have the support any more!!

Had a similar problem with Mandriva 2008. The 2007 version supported my inbuilt sound card on my Dell dimension 5000 and then everything has changed on the 2008 version?!!

No one seems to be able to give the right info to solve that problem!!

I will continue to look at different network wireless solutions until I find one that is worth spending money on!!

Thanks again to both of you!!


bookie
 
Old 01-20-2008, 11:12 PM   #10
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

Hi lazlow, do you think you could elaborate a little about G MAY and GigE, so that I can decide what type of card to buy?

I looked at the HCL and think it is a little out of date regarding the latest wireless cards to be released - which makes it hard to settle on a card!!

bookie
 
Old 01-21-2008, 12:51 AM   #11
Electro
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,042

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Wireless networking or the IEEE protocol 802.11 has many articles. G is 54 megabits per second or 6.75 megabytes per second. Ethernet is wired and lazlow is explaining about 1 gigabit per second or 133 megabytes per second. Since you do not know how insecure wireless networking is, I suggest setup wired network. The cable can be about 100 meters or 328 feet long from switch to computer. Wired networks are a lot more reliable and easier than you think to setup. To make a clean setup, I suggest use RJ-45 wall plates.

Consumer grade routers are independent to the OS which they do not require an OS or drivers. The popular consumer grade routers are Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, Buffalo Technology.

Faceplate - http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/S...productID=3770
RJ-45 to RJ-45 for Faceplate - http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/S...productID=2580

Buy RJ-45 crimper, 5e Ethernet cable, and RJ-45 connectors at a hardware store.

To create your Ethernet cable - http://www.lanshack.com/make-cat5e.aspx
 
Old 01-21-2008, 01:15 AM   #12
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

Thanks for the info Electro, I appreciate what you are saying; but I am trying to get away from a hard wire systems because of sooooooo many cables.

I am sorry I didn't mention that in the beginning!!

bookie
 
Old 01-21-2008, 01:59 AM   #13
lazlow
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,363

Rep: Reputation: 172Reputation: 172
The problem with wireless is that their throughput rating is derived under optimal conditions. I have seen MANY installs that do not perform at 1/4 the equipments rated speeds. As Electro stated G is rate at 54 but it often performs at under 12. Now for general browsing most people will not notice the difference, but if one is streaming a video in house you can see all kinds of problems. When I switched from 100 to GigE(1000) Ethernet I was shocked at the difference it made. If you go this route I would not buy locally because it is usually vastly more expensive. BestBuy wanted $75 for a 50ft run of cat 5e. Newegg had a 50ft cat6 for $15. As the online price between cat 5e and 6 are virtually identical I would suggest cat 6.

What I am trying to say is that many have tried wireless for video and the vast majority have gone back to wired. If you use Mythtv they even mention it. Save your time and money and just go with Ethernet.

Good Luck
Lazlow
 
Old 01-21-2008, 07:39 AM   #14
bookie
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2006
Location: Sweden
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 30
update

OK! thanks for your reply lazlow!! I have already gone the cable way and was hoping to change that because of soooo many cables to take care of.

6 computers under one desk does amount to a whole lot of cables.

I appreciate and take on board your comments. I will wait to see if there are some dramatic changes in the wireless section in the future!!

Thanks again for taking the time to spell it out to me!! Sorry I wasn't listening in the beginning!!

bookie
 
Old 01-21-2008, 11:51 PM   #15
Electro
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Jan 2002
Posts: 6,042

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazlow View Post
The problem with wireless is that their throughput rating is derived under optimal conditions. I have seen MANY installs that do not perform at 1/4 the equipments rated speeds. As Electro stated G is rate at 54 but it often performs at under 12. Now for general browsing most people will not notice the difference, but if one is streaming a video in house you can see all kinds of problems. When I switched from 100 to GigE(1000) Ethernet I was shocked at the difference it made. If you go this route I would not buy locally because it is usually vastly more expensive. BestBuy wanted $75 for a 50ft run of cat 5e. Newegg had a 50ft cat6 for $15. As the online price between cat 5e and 6 are virtually identical I would suggest cat 6.

What I am trying to say is that many have tried wireless for video and the vast majority have gone back to wired. If you use Mythtv they even mention it. Save your time and money and just go with Ethernet.

Good Luck
Lazlow
Making your own Ethernet cables are a lot cheaper and the length can be short or very long. Any dummy that is not color blind can make their own Ethernet cable.

I can make a 50 foot Ethernet patch cable for $10. This is locally. I buy my cable at hardware stores like Home Depot.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cordless phone shuts down router BobNutfield Linux - Hardware 2 05-14-2006 11:11 AM
skype hw - cordless allelopath Linux - Hardware 1 08-28-2005 02:10 AM
cordless mouse Hah0r Linux - Laptop and Netbook 0 02-29-2004 10:18 AM
cordless mouses? SnowSurfAir Linux - Hardware 0 08-06-2003 12:40 AM
Logitech Cordless Neur0tek Linux - Hardware 0 05-09-2002 10:16 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Hardware

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:27 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration