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Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320
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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?
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.
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.
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.
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320
Original Poster
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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!!
Distribution: Testing just about everything.....Debian still a favourite and now Dreamlinux!!
Posts: 320
Original Poster
Rep:
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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