Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Cheapest I've found so far is £39.99 + £4.99 Delivery + £7.87 VAT from Inmac for a Netgear Wireless USB Adapter.



Can anyone recommend a supplier that might be cheaper?

[Edited by Andy Tang - 10/30/2002 4:58:54 PM]

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Excuse my ignorance, but is that 11 Megabits per sec or Megabytes ?
So if sharing broadband, would you get full bandwidth via wireless ?

ChrisB

11Mbps = Megabits

The bottle neck would remain with your connection.

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

So you'd get full bandwidth from a Blueyonder 1Mb connection ?

TopBanana

That's a bargain - I'd go for it... and in fact, I might just do that!

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

It's only my movie/Mame PC I want connected up, and it saves running cable over a laminate floor!

Even if I didn't get the full bandwidth I'm not really bothered!

suba

i think last month, maplin had a offer on wireless adaptor. it was for the usb and pcmcia. dont know if the offer is still on.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Currently £80 from Maplin!

I would have been too late anyway, as I've just ordered the Netgear one!

[Edited by Andy Tang - 10/30/2002 5:34:55 PM]

Fig

Daft Question time

Why are you buying a USB Wireless adapter, when youve already gor a router which (correct me if I'm wrong) uses ethernet?

Surely you'd have been better off getting a wireless adapter that connected to the router via ethernet and uplink port (or crossover cable) so that the laptop could use the internet without any other PCs being switched on?

Fig

Ignore me, I'm at the other end of the network

ChrisB

Dunk, certainly should.

With overheads, 11Mbps will deliver 4 to 5.5Mbps of usuable bandwidth.

[Edited by ChrisB - 10/31/2002 9:23:18 AM]

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Just to clarify, I (will) have the following setup:

1) Cable from Blueyonder into the study (upstairs)
2) Connects to the cable modem
3) Connects to my DSL router
4a) 3 PC's (in the study) connect to the hub on the router
4b) Connects to Wireless Access point
5) PC downstairs connects to the WAP via a USB adapter

I chose the USB adapter over a PCI one, because of 1) cost and 2) flexibility (use a laptop downstairs if I want!)

I hope this makes sense!

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Thanks ChrisB

Just wanted to check as a mate is interested in one of these.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I think people are getting confused with the connection speeds!

Cable modem 1Mb, which downloads at 130kbs, bursting to 250kbs.

Cat 5 Ethernet network is 100Mbs, wireless network is 11Mbs.

So even over wireless network (even with the overheads ChrisB has mentioned), the internet connection should in ideal conditions run at full potential!

Obviously the transfer of data between the hardwired PC's to the wireless PC's will be slower than between say two hardwired PC's, but it a sacrafice I'm willing to make!

[Edited by Andy Tang - 10/31/2002 9:11:57 AM]

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Let us know what its like when you get it Andy ?

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Thanks to Lee12, the Wireless Access Point turned up today! But the adapter probably won't turn up until tomorrow!!

So if I get the PC setup, the network should be up on Sunday night (busy weekend!)

I'll let you know next week how I get on!!

ChrisB

Nothing like surfing whilst on the bog

Fig

I've just replaced my Netgear RP114 with the FM114P Router with integral WAP. I've got 2 PCs and a printer connected directly to the FM114, and my laptop using wireless.

As suggested elsewhere, make sure you use the highest level of security when setting up the WAP, and only allow the MAC addresses of known machines unless you want warchalking appearing on the wall outside.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Fig, I think GavinP mentioned it on my 'Wireless Network' thread. It's been noted! Unless you want a share of my 1Mb line!!

Fig

Hmmm, now that would test the range of the network. See if I can connect to your WAP from Herts

Fig

Old habits die hard