Linksys WRT54G + Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 3A Mini Adaptor

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

Running a Intel PRO/Wireless 21003A Mini Adapter in a Dell Latitude
D600 (I know it is a 802.11b wireless NIC) with Windows XP Pro (fully
updated). Bought a Linksys WRT54G to provide wireless access for the
laptop to my home network (and to learn about this wireless stuff).

1. The laptop will not get/take a DHCP assigned address from the
Linksys but desktop machines on a CAT5 wire will get addresses.
Configuring a static address on the laptop (outside the Linksys DHCP
scope range) does give me internet access. I used Intel's ProSet
software to configure the NIC.

2. The signal strength is great but the throughput is Oh-so-slow -
obviously not even closes to 11 meg. 50 kbps dial-up screams compared
to what I was getting. I've used the same laptop in other wireless
environments with much better throughput. The throughput was so bad
that I did not have the patience to wait for a download speed test
site to load up so I could evaluate the speed.

3. The Linksys is running Firmware Version V2.02.2 dated Jan. 6,
2004. Version 2 of the WRT54G is listed on the Wi-Fi.org "approved"
list (whatever that is supposed to mean).

4. The Linksys device is in my basement. I was in the living room
with my laptop, over the Linksys in the basement.

Any suggestions?

I tried configuring the Linksys for 802.11b only but got the same
result.

I am also interested in hardware recommendations, although that such a
request can be fraught with almost religious fervor and overtones. I
am interested in wireless security, understanding that WEP is weak,
WPA is better, and 802.11x is better yet. I am not opposed to staying
with a 'b' level device since using the wireless in my home will be
more for internet access than anything else and that is capped at
about 3Meg by my broadband connection (cable). Should I settle for a
simple WAP or should I get a combo WAP/Router-Firewall? I've been to
practicallynetworked.com and didn't find as definitive information as
I would have liked.

Thanks