wireless, need help, never delt with before PICS

[Krazy]

Hi,

After many years now, i think it is time i get some sort of wireless connection going in my house.
I currently have a 100Mbs LAN with cable internet. I just recently also got a Dell laptop and a new PC, both with Wireless 802.11b/g compatability.
I was also reading around and found out that there is a newer format, 802.11a which is better again, so i was thinking i might upgrade my PC to 802.11a but leave my laptop on the built in 802.11b/g.

however, i am not sure how to go about connecting these two new computers to the current network i have setup. What new gear do i need to get?

So far i have found the following that i think will suit my needs from D-Link: <A HREF="http://www.dlink.com.au/Default.aspx?ArticleID=137" target="_new">DI-784</A>

i also have made a picture of my current setup and what i would like to do.

<A HREF="http://public.fotki.com/KrazyKaj/misc/network.html" target="_new">PICTURE</A>

Please let me know if what i am aiming to do i correct and/or any comments you may have. Also, what hardware do i need to get if the D-Link wireless hub is not what i shuld be after?

cheers
thanks
KJ


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[kwebb]

In terms of commercial availability, 802.11a precedes .11g by about a year. Better is a relative term. The speed would be the same, the coverage would not be as good. About the only thing that would give .11a an edge over .11g is if you have alot of 2.4 Ghz devices around your house or area. .11a runs at 5 Ghz.

You could buy a dual frequency AP that supports A/B/and G however there is very little reason to do that unless you have the aforementioned 2.4 ghz phones all over the place. .11a will be significantly more expensive by the way.


As far as setup? Just plug an access point into a port on your existing switch with a Cat5 cable and your pretty much done. You may have to disable any DHCP server service on the AP. Some SOHO AP's come with built in DHCP.

Ah, I checked your link to the DLink device. That will work fine if you don't mind spending the extra cash on a dual-band AP/Router combo.

 

[Krazy]

thanks i just wanted to make sure the setup i was going to do was ok,



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[umheint0]

I use effectively the same setup. I have the same router you listed performing the same function - turning it into a wireless switch. Works just fine. All you have to do is turn off DHCP, and set the router's IP to one on the same subnet as your network (so you can still login to it).

umheint0's phat setup --> <A HREF="http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html" target="_new">http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~umheint0/system.html</A><--