Wireless networking

[TBaGZ]

I don't really know too much about setting up wireless networks. But I need to set one up for 3 PC's. One PC sits right next to the modem so it doesn't need to be wireless. Are there cat. 5 ports on the back of a wireless router so I can just plug it in? And the other 2 are going to be in seperate rooms of the house so they obviously need to be wireless. Would I be better off using internal cards or just buying USB adapters? And the biggest deal is that this needs to be done on as small of a budget as possible cause funds are tight with the move.


Thanks

 

[alexgtp]

All wireless routers have ports in the back.

Internal cards are nice because they free up a USB port.
If you have endless amounts of USB ports than you could get away with the USB.

You can pick up some nice sets at Bestbuy or circuit city for under 100.oo

Also please enable the encryption on your wireless routers.
Or else you will have ppl trying to steal your bandwidth//LOL!!

 

[AVB]

Here is another thread on the subject.

 

[TBaGZ]

Any specific brand better then another? When you say set does that mean it comes with a router and the adapters for the PC's?

 

[Swissy]

The one closest to the router can be hard wired in. The others do need some form of adapter- not had too much expirence with the USB adapters, but the internal ones hve ALWAYS done me right. Some one else can give you info on the USB stuff I'm sure.

Main reason I am replying tho, is to make sure you SECURE THE NETWORK! most routers come with the security features disabled, and you have to set them up. I have 5 networks accesible from my laptop right now- 2 are NOT secure. I can access the internet all I want, from their accounts. One even has everything on the computer shared! I can get into every file and folder on his system!! I know who it is, and have told him time and time again- even offered to set it up for him, but he just keeps saying he has nothing on it to worry about. But I can still access all the illegal stuff I want over the net if I so choose to- kiddie porn (sick bastards out there), software downloads, anything.

Last sumer I was working in my front yard, and this car came slooooooowly driving down my street. They stopped down the road from me, and after a few minutes, one kid got out, and put a mark in the gutter with a can of spray paint. Then they continued down my sreet, slowly driving. They stopped in front of another house (the one withthe unsecured network) and they stayed there for a minute. I could actually see the kid in the passenger seat with a laptop. He was busy typing away, and then got out and put another spray paint mark in the gutter in front of the house. I started walking over, and as soon as they saw me they took off. I got the car license plate number and called the police, but had trouble convincing them they were up to no good. I walked around my neighborhood that night with my dogs and saw MANY of the white paint marks in the gutters, all around the area. Seems kids are going around finding out where they can get free internet access, and god knows what they're doing with it.

Make sure you secure the connections when you get it set up... not all that hard, and a needed thing these days.

 

[alexgtp]

I have seen some linksys systems that have a router and an adapter. for under $60.oo and than you can buy an additional adapter.

 

[Pyre]

I got a 2wire "homeportal" that is a dsl modem/wireless router thingie all in one (sorry, I'm a software guy). I paid around $100 for it, and its been wonderful for me.

I tried the USB wireless adapters, and it gave me troubles on one PC and worked fine on another. I'd go with the wireless cards if I were doing it over again.

 

[TBaGZ]

I have seen some linksys systems that have a router and an adapter. for under $60.oo and than you can buy an additional adapter.

Really? The only ones I see like that come with a card for a laptop. And they are over 100 bucks.

 

[Rob_k]

I have seen some linksys systems that have a router and an adapter. for under $60.oo and than you can buy an additional adapter.

Really? The only ones I see like that come with a card for a laptop. And they are over 100 bucks.

go to newegg.com, they have sales on this stuff all the time, and like alex said, the lynksys stuff is decent quality. personally, i have a lynksys setup in my office, and it has rarely given me any troubles. very easy to set up and configure. and i will repeat what everyone else said, secure your network and shut off ssid broadcasting! what swissy was talking about is called wardriving, it is where punks do exactly as swissy described, marking territory for free internet access. it's almost a sport in NYC, with all the highrises and open networks. good luck, and stay safe and secure.

 

[Zeebra]

Main reason I am replying tho, is to make sure you SECURE THE NETWORK! most routers come with the security features disabled, and you have to set them up. I have 5 networks accesible from my laptop right now- 2 are NOT secure.

Listen to Swissy, he's in Alaska. If HE can find unsecure networks up there imagine when you live in a populated area?

 

[Blue Dragon]

Main reason I am replying tho, is to make sure you SECURE THE NETWORK! most routers come with the security features disabled, and you have to set them up. <snip>
Last sumer I was working in my front yard, and this car came slooooooowly driving down my street. They stopped down the road from me, and after a few minutes, one kid got out, and put a mark in the gutter with a can of spray paint. Then they continued down my sreet, slowly driving. They stopped in front of another house (the one withthe unsecured network) and they stayed there for a minute. I could actually see the kid in the passenger seat with a laptop. He was busy typing away, and then got out and put another spray paint mark in the gutter in front of the house. <snip>

It is called WarDriving. People are marking wireless access points that anyone can jump on. I'm not sure how illegal it is, but IMO if you don't lock it down you are setting youself up to be exploited. And yes, worst case, someone could use your Internet access to spread a virus, download kiddie porn, hack some server, etc. and you would probably be the one looking like the culprit.

http://news.com.com/FAQ+Wi-Fi+mooching+and...tml?tag=nl.caro

But the real problem with wireless is that it isn't really secure. It is kind of like locking your house, if you know how to pick locks, you can still get in. Unfortunately noone has developed a super solid security for wireless yet. But you should still lock your house; it prevents "opportunistic" incidents.

Just my $.02.
- C