I'm planning a wireless set up in my home, between a desktop and
printer on a lower level, and a laptop on an upper level of my house,
and am a little confused about exactly what the latest wireless
standards are.
I read about 802.11 a-g and different transmission frequencies used
and possible interference from home phones tv's etc.
For all practical purposes what should I be concerned with in deciding
which wireless routers and laptop cards to buy?
Do some wireless device manufacturers products have a more reliable
reputation than other?
Should cost be the guiding factor?  I'd appreciate any advice and
suggestions from those of you whave been down this road before.
Thank you very much for your help!

Ungoy 
Thanks for your time and help!
Thanks for your help. Data-oveload is exactly the case.

Broadband is finally coming to my neighborhood next month, after a 3
year wait, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the setup I
will need.
My desktop will be wired but I want my laptop (upstairs) mobile.
After reading your suggested sites, I'm thinking of going with a Data
Link  802.11g AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624 and their  DWL-G650  Wireless
CardBus Adapter.
I have read that all laptop wireless cards are all the same
Is this accurate or should I get a cheaper one. I assume the card has
to match the new 802.11g standard of the DI-624.
I also would like to use my printer from my laptop so I will also need
a print server, How is this setup between the laptop the (wired)
desktop and the printer?
Thank you very much for your help!
Vic




> > I'm planning a wireless set up in my home, between a desktop and
> > printer on a lower level, and a laptop on an upper level of my house,
> > and am a little confused about exactly what the latest wireless
> > standards are.
> > I read about 802.11 a-g and different transmission frequencies used
> > and possible interference from home phones tv's etc.
> > For all practical purposes what should I be concerned with in deciding
> > which wireless routers and laptop cards to buy?
> > Do some wireless device manufacturers products have a more reliable
> > reputation than other?
> > Should cost be the guiding factor?  I'd appreciate any advice and
> > suggestions from those of you whave been down this road before.
> > Thank you very much for your help!
> 
> Hey Victor;
> 
> Sounds like you're suffering from data-overload.  My condolences.  I'm
> afraid that the only way out is through.
> 
> http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
> 
> They've introductions to basic lans and lan internet connectivity.  What
> you need depends on what you have and what you want.  All reined in by how
> big of a budget you have.
> 
> Do you currently have broadband connectivity?
> Is the current machine already hooked up to it?
> Are you looking for a print-server?  Wireless?
> Are you a weekend techno-weenie warrior?
> 
> Sorry, but you gotsta refine your inquiry just a bit 'kay?
> 
> -Ungoy

Hey Vic;

You didn't answer my most important question:
>> Are you a weekend techno-weenie warrior?
<grin>

Here's a nice background for 802.11b.  Pretty much applies to 'g,' except
for the throughput data (btw: O'Reilly is a great publisher):
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2001/03/02/802.11b_facts.html

Listen, most of your questions have already been answered out there.  The
trick is to find them.  I'm gonna guess you are familiar with Google?  Try
typing in the term "sample wireless topology" (w/o the quotations).  I'm
sure something will come up.

I have no experience with 802.11g.  This is a superset of 802.11b however
and works on the same unregulated 2.4gHz frequency.  I'm going to ask you
to reconsider and check out the 802.11b category.  Now, your mileage may
vary but:

(*note: these are "real-world" approximations including 128-bit wep...I'm
ignoring marketing #'s)

Dsl downstream gives 384-768kps
Cable modem downstream gives 1.2mbps
802.11b gives 2-4mbps throughput
802.11g gives 20mbps throughput

Now, on the surface, you want the bestest and fastest thingy on the block
and 'g' fits the bill.  BUT, unless you are frequently transferring LARGE
(ie videos) files across your network, imho it is overkill.  

The bottle-neck on your system is the connection to the internet (usually
topped out at about 1.2mbps via cable).  Of course, after being subjected
to...what?...48kps, I'm sure that doesn't sound like a bottleneck to you.
<grin>

If throughput then, is fine at the 'b' range, are there any other
compelling reasons to buy 'g?'  I haven't found any.  Not to say there
aren't, it's just that I'm not that imaginative.  Why am I dissuading you
from 'g?'

1) added expense  ('g' will be a commodity in about a year, 'b' already is)
2) limited advantage (unless editing videos or compiling programs remotely)
3) what's coming up in another year or two.

What *is* coming up in another year or two?  Glad you asked.  Read this:
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/10724_1439551_1

Of particular interest are 'e' 'g' and 'h.'  To me, at least.  Now,
everybody and their grandma says their chips will be compatible w/flash
upgrades but...fuggeddaboudit.  In short, b is fine.  Take the rest of your
money and buy a dvd recorder system.  Y'know?

About printers on the network.  Criminy what a headache.  

Cheapest route: hook printer to computer, leave computer on all time.
Bestest route: Buy already-cat5-networked printer ($100-150 more expesive)
Not-too squirrely: cat5->parallel print server ($40 and up)
Squirrely: cat5->usb print server ($50 and up)
Dunno: wireless->parallel ($100 and up)
Run Away: wireless->usb ($don't care)

Most elegant would be to buy a wireless-ready printer...dunno if there are
any but I'd bet they're out there.

Obtw, consider setting up your lan now.  Why wait for the internet
connection?  Regardless, Go get 'em champ and, let us know how it's going!

-Ungoy



On 25 Aug 2003 22:20:21 -0700, victor voul wrote:

> Ungoy 
> Thanks for your time and help!
> Thanks for your help. Data-oveload is exactly the case.
> 
> Broadband is finally coming to my neighborhood next month, after a 3
> year wait, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the setup I
> will need.
> My desktop will be wired but I want my laptop (upstairs) mobile.
> After reading your suggested sites, I'm thinking of going with a Data
> Link  802.11g AirPlus Xtreme G DI-624 and their  DWL-G650  Wireless
> CardBus Adapter.
> I have read that all laptop wireless cards are all the same
> Is this accurate or should I get a cheaper one. I assume the card has
> to match the new 802.11g standard of the DI-624.
> I also would like to use my printer from my laptop so I will also need
> a print server, How is this setup between the laptop the (wired)
> desktop and the printer?
> Thank you very much for your help!
> Vic
> 
> 
> 
> 
>>> I'm planning a wireless set up in my home, between a desktop and
>>> printer on a lower level, and a laptop on an upper level of my house,
>>> and am a little confused about exactly what the latest wireless
>>> standards are.
>>> I read about 802.11 a-g and different transmission frequencies used
>>> and possible interference from home phones tv's etc.
>>> For all practical purposes what should I be concerned with in deciding
>>> which wireless routers and laptop cards to buy?
>>> Do some wireless device manufacturers products have a more reliable
>>> reputation than other?
>>> Should cost be the guiding factor?  I'd appreciate any advice and
>>> suggestions from those of you whave been down this road before.
>>> Thank you very much for your help!
>> 
>> Hey Victor;
>> 
>> Sounds like you're suffering from data-overload.  My condolences.  I'm
>> afraid that the only way out is through.
>> 
>> http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/
>> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
>> 
>> They've introductions to basic lans and lan internet connectivity.  What
>> you need depends on what you have and what you want.  All reined in by how
>> big of a budget you have.
>> 
>> Do you currently have broadband connectivity?
>> Is the current machine already hooked up to it?
>> Are you looking for a print-server?  Wireless?
>> Are you a weekend techno-weenie warrior?
>> 
>> Sorry, but you gotsta refine your inquiry just a bit 'kay?
>> 
>> -Ungoy