I'm thinking of switching my home network to wireless but am totally confused so I'm hoping someone can shed some light on it. At the moment I have a cable modem which, via a router, is shared between two desktops, a laptop and an xbox.

I'm aware that I need wireless PCI LAN cards for the computers and a wireless PCMCIA LAN card for the laptop. I'm confused as to how I can share the connection between the machines. I'm assuming I'll need a wireless router but I've also seen wireless access points. What is the difference? They seem to do the same thing.

Also, is it possible to get a wireless router/access point with one ethernet point because I'll still need to plug in my xbox via a wired connection.

One of the machines is upstairs which, by a wired connection, is about 20 meters away but through the floor is straight up so about 5 to 7 meters away from where the wireless router/access point will be. Is this possible? i.e. If in a router's specs it says "1500 feet" is it true?

Finally, what kind of wireless support has the kernel got at the moment because there's no point in me switching if there's no support for it.

Cheers,

Darrell

Hello,

Yes you will need wireless PCI LAN cards for your computers and a wireless PCMCIA LAN card for your laptop. You will also need to have a Wireless Router. (802.11b)

A access point and a wireless router are the same thing. A access point is where you can connect to the internet (via a 802.11b network adapter) in a public place (normally cost you) (every startbucks is starting to do this). You will want to buy a Wireless router for your home network.

I wireless router and a wired router are pretty much the same thing...

The only real big difference is that a wireless router broadcasts the internet signal though the air (802.11b) and not down a Ethernet cord.l

Yes you can get a Wireless router that has both Wireless Broadcasting and Ethernet port plug ins (There is one sitting next to me right now )

There are also a wireless Ethernet adapter for the XboX I herd but I think it runs any where from $130 to $150.

You network adapters that are though walls can still connect to the wireless router but when the router says "1500 feet" they mean in a open field with nothing around ... Walls will cut down on the length it will go but you should be fine... I have on about the same distance away running though about 3 walls (if it is not going though the door 4)

The kernel (as far as I know) DOSE NOT have wireless support BUT you still can get it. There is a wonderful group that makes the linux-wlan project (which stands for Linux-Wireless Local Area Network or Linux-Wireless LAN) They now also have the Linux-Wlan-ng which supports 11 MBPS cards... (By The way I don't think the kernel ever will because the computer reads the connection the same... It is up to the card manufacture or Linux-wlan to make "drivers" linux can use.)

There address is linux-wlan.org. But make sure they support the card you are buying (or the card you are buying supports linux)

I hope that sheds some light,
Andrew

> via a 802.11b network adapter

I've been looking on linux-wlan.org and it says that some 802.11g network adapters are supported. I do want to use an 802.11g network adapter if possible. Has anyone actually had an 802.11g card working or am I going to have to get an 802.11b?

Darrell

I personal have never used any 802.11g card. I'm sure if Linux-Wlan is saying that it supports 802.11g cards than it will...

Just make sure you are using the same thing... Like if they tested it on Kernel 2.4.22 than use kernel 2.4.22 and such...

If you could I would get 802.121g...

Hope this helps,
Andrew