Tips on a wireless router/access point/bridge?

[dimtim]

Hey guys I just purchased a laptop and I would like to hook it up to my home network, which up to now, contains a few PCs all networked non-wirelessly. I have spent about 2 hours trying to figure out exactly what type of network device I need and what brand/model to get. I just need the basics. Has anybody had any great experiences with a wireless router or access point? I'm tired of researching and would like someone to recommend me a brand/model that they have had a good experience with?

Thanks a ton
Tim

[ranchhand]

If you purchased a newer lappie, and if you got the wireless NIC optional card with it, you are all set to go. Just log into your network. If you have your wifi network locked down, you will have to configure the card to read your SSID, and encryption and whatever other security you have. You will do that through the software that comes with the card. If you must buy a w/less NIC, any that are sold at retailers will work. Should take you 5 minutes max.

[isogonic]

havent had any problems with SMC hardware:

http://www.smc.com/index.cfm

[Dv8ted2]

I use MIMO technology. I bought the Airlink wireless router and network cards from Fry's Electronics. They work very well. In case you didn't know, MIMO stands for multiple input-multiple output.

[offline]

-DSL internet? = modem/router combo
-cable internet? = standalone router
-using voip? = QoS supported router
-using VPN? = VPN supported router
-using ICS? = plain wireless ethernet cards
-need a print server? = print server supported router
-need usb ports? = router with usb hub
-need extra hyper security? = double nat + spi
-transferring large files/video?= Super G 108Mbs
-more than one user transfering files? Double 108Mbs
-small brick house & yard = Standard 11g
-large brick house or long corridor = Super G + XR (11g+)
-multiple rooms or short corridor= mimo or wireless extender
-medium open area = add external antenna
-large open area= add 250mW booster
-high density buildings = add 250mW + ext. antenna
-very large area or +800/1000 feet = 500mW booster
- Xbox = get xbox supported router

Some brands:

Linksys: Good but avoid non unix based firmware models
NetGear: Good, easiest to setup but poor support. Best SuperG range
DLink: cheap, but ok support
Belkin: Good. Best mimo range

Does your laptop have built in wireless?
If not, do you want a usb or pcmcia wireless adaptor?

[kschang]

Got a Linksys here, it's a wireless router, but I'm using it as a plain router now (wireless disabled). It's cheaper that way, strangely.

[dimtim]

Wow thanks for the replies let me explain a little bit more. I have a wireless network card in my laptop, and I already have a wired network set up around my house. I've read that I only need a wireless access point, and not an entirely new router. Is this true? And brands, looks like linksys, netgear, or airlink is good. By the way, do I need this mimo technology?

Thanks a ton
Tim

[ranchhand]

...my home network, which up to now, contains a few PCs all networked non-wirelessly.

You said you already have a wireless home setup??

[caernavon]

Wow thanks for the replies let me explain a little bit more. I have a wireless network card in my laptop, and I already have a wired network set up around my house. I've read that I only need a wireless access point, and not an entirely new router. Is this true? And brands, looks like linksys, netgear, or airlink is good. By the way, do I need this mimo technology?

If you have a wired network, then all you need is a wireless access point. Linksys, D-Link, Netgear: they're all good. Any wireless AP will do just fine. As someone upthread wrote, if you set it up as-is out of the box, your card will find it and connect automatically. If you lock the AP down with security (as you should), it will take a few minutes of setting up.

[offline]

11n, True MIMO, MIMO and XR are more hype than anything else at the moment. Within 200 feet you should be fine picking any one of the top brands. Your wireless access point, as caernavon said, will auto setup via your DHCP server and the DHCP client on your laptop. Unless you use static IP's all you have to do is set the security settings. All this mimo and XR stuff requires both a matching wireless card and router anyway - and will do nothing to improve the signal to your laptop. If you get a plain 11g 52Mbs or 11g+ 108Mbs it will default down to the speed of your wireless laptop. No need to get anything fancy, unless you wish to upgrade your laptop wirless nic. So long as your laptop nic is at least 11g capable, thats perfect. 11b is a little slow - remember the rated speed of these things is never achieved in terms of real data throughput. Heavy doors, furniture and thick walls along with radio interference will reduce your signal regardless, and thus your speed.