How to setup a Wireless LAN???

[gxsaurav]

What we have here now is Airtel 512Kbps Internet. The Airtel people will come & install the Wireless Modem in 2 days. Now, Laptops have WiFi inbuilt but what hardware I need in my desktop to connect to Wireless Internet???

I inquired, there are 2 options. First is USB based WiFi Adapter & Second option is a PCI slot based card. Now for desktop use I am inclining more towards a PCI Slot based solution cos I need to make my Desktop Wireless ready anyway so a PCI solution will be permanent & I have spare PCI slot in my computer lying idle.

We have 2 Desktops & 1 laptop in home. Which adapter should we go for the Deskops, USB or PCI as Laptop has WiFi Inbuilt. Also, can we use the wireless adapter to set up a wireless LAN to share files on a LAN? Is it adviced to buy 802.11n adapter cos they are in draft right now or should I go for 802.11G instead?

I will be going to buy it tomorrow in Nehru Place, let me know soon.

[realdan]

it depends on whether you can afford...to buy the 802.11n adaptor..but then the wireless modem or router that airtel supplied is definitely not draft n compliant. so getting n adaptor will depend on whether you wanted to be future proof..if the final 802.11n is released...expect the company to release firmware for their draft n adaptors and routers..

well n will be faster for sharing files.provided all are n compliant..as for internet it doesnt matter much i think..

i would say go for draft n compliant if you can afford...or want to be future proof

[squid]

First check whether airtel is proving only WIFI modem or Modem cum router. In case of a WIFI modem internet may work slow if all three systems are used at the same time. so it is better to get wifi router cum modem.

802.11N adapters will work only on G mode if the router is 802.11G router and also some G routers may not detect N series adapter working in mixed mode. Most probably your laptop will be having b/g adapter. Also it's better get the adapter of the same brand as the wifi router because some of the settings are designed specific to those adapters.

another suggestion is to make a wired connection for the desktop rather than Wireless as wired connection provide more speed. So invest in PCI wireless adapter only if you find wired connection is difficult or cumbersome

[gxsaurav]

Originally Posted by squid

First check whether airtel is proving only WIFI modem or Modem cum router. In case of a WIFI modem internet may work slow if all three systems are used at the same time. so it is better to get wifi router cum modem

This setup is basically for sharing internet. We are getting 512 kbps so if all the 3 computers are using internet at one time, the bandwidth will be divided into 3 parts. This is what we want. Right now we are unable to share the internet. We cannot go for a switch cos in that case we will need to setup a proxy & for that one computer must be always on. In case of WiFi, 2 computers can be turned off while the 3rd one will be on & use complete bandwidth.

802.11N adapters will work only on G mode if the router is 802.11G router and also some G routers may not detect N series adapter working in mixed mode. Most probably your laptop will be having b/g adapter. Also it's better get the adapter of the same brand as the wifi router because some of the settings are designed specific to those adapters.

Ok, I won't buy Draft n Adapter. I will instead use 802.11 g.

]quote]invest in PCI wireless adapter only if you find wired connection is difficult or cumbersome[/quote]

I know it's slow but we cannot install any more wires here, u know the situation with rented appartments. We need Wirless for sharing Internet & occassional file sharing like copying a movie from one computer to other.

Any idea about the cost? Which one should I go for my desktop use??? PCI or USB

[kalpik]

Airtel gives a Wifi router, so you dont need to worry about that. Get the "g" wifi cards for your desktops. The router will give separate IPs for all your machines.. So you will have a LAN automatically.

P.S. If you want a wired solution, a switch would do.. That doesnt need one PC to be on always!

[gxsaurav]

Thanks for the reply kalpik. SO I can simply buy 2 Wireless G PCI Adapter & it should work, right? One for my desktop & one for his, how much does this costs? I m going to buy this tomorrow from Nehru Place, can u meet me there to assist? I usually buy from SMC international.

Switch is not an option, we have a laptop too so we need WiFi anyway.

[shashank4u]

^^
Get two wireless card, sharing should work fine, don't know exactly abt price but they should cost around 1K each.

also why are you buying the wireless modem, call Airtel they will install their wifi modem, it costs Rs 1000, lifetime warranty and no monthly fees.... means they will replace it if it shows trouble...

802.11b/g suffice for now unless you have a laptop that supports wifi n.

[gxsaurav]

I bought Netgear WG311v3 from SMC International for Rs 1,000. Airtel people came & install Beetel 450 BXI WiFi modem so now me & my roommates are able to share Internet easily. All sharing problems solved.

I need help with two things. How do I secure My wireless connection? There are some boys in the next home using WiFi & I m sure they are trying to connect to our WiFi cos we tried connecting to there last night .

Can there be something like, when trying to connect to our WiFi, the user has to enter a username & password?

2nd thing, how do I make a Wireless LAN between my computer & my roommate's computer. His computer is connected to the Router via a simple LAN cable.