Wiress Network Blues

[Arizona]

I am looking for comments and suggestions that help me decide what brand and type of wireless network devices to go with.

I am currently using an 802.11b 11Mbps wireless network in my apartment but I would like to upgrade to 802.11g 54Mbps wireless network or something better if it is available.

The only manufacture that I can find that makes 802.11g compliant wireless network devices is Linksys.

Linksys WRT54G Wireless-G Broadband Router
Linksys WAP54G Wireless-G Access Point
Linksys WMP54G Wireless-G PCI Adapter
Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook Adapter

I have one desktop and two laptops networked. I would prefer to use a wired connection to my desktop but it is not possible without running cables all over my apartment.

I recently took a new job sold my house and moved into an apartment. =( I have a cable internet connection and the room I am using for my office does not have a cable outlet.

I am currently using:

Motorola SB4100E Cable Modem
Linksys BEFSR41 Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port Switch
Microsoft MN-500 Wireless Base Station
Microsoft MN-510 Wireless USB Adapter
Microsoft MN-520 Wireless Notebook Adapter

I had some issues configuring the Wireless Base Station which Microsoft clams is a Cable/DSL Router as well as a wireless access point.

I tried to set it up as my Cable/DSL Router but failed horribly. I could not access my internet connection no matter what I tried.

So I hooked up the Wired Cable/DSL Router to my Cable Modem then hooked up the Wireless Base Station to the Wired Cable/DSL Router and Walla I was able to get on the internet.

I am not very satisfied with my current network. It is faster than a dial up connection but not by much. I know the only way I am going to get the speeds I want is to go back to a wired network but that isn’t really an option until I buy another house.

I am willing to spend another $200-500US on an 802.11g compliant wireless network or something better if it is going to improve my network performance. I just don’t want to jump the gun again and buy the first thing I see.

If I go with the Linksys devices I was thinking of buying two wireless access points and a notebook adapter. I would connect one access point to my Cable/DSL Router and one to my Desktop.

If I remember correctly I can configure the wireless access points to connect to each other so I will be able to get on the internet from my desktop. However, I am not as familiar with wireless networking as I would like to be so please correct me if I am wrong.

I would just buy the wireless PCI adapter for my desktop but I am afraid that I am not going to get a very good signal. I would also like to have a second access point for my laptops to connect to if I am using one in my office. With the wireless network I have now I get a very poor signal in my office with my laptop.

This will also leave me with the option of connecting a hub between the wireless access point and my desktop. Which will allow me to use a wired connection between my desktop and laptops for large file transfers.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions that would be helpful I would very much so appreciate them.

Arizona

[Midknyte]

I dunno if you want to get into "g" just yet. It's still in draft stage. THG just did a review of the "g" routers from Buffalo tech and linksys.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/network/20030117/index.html

that was too much info. maybe you should split it into multiple posts?

you can bridge Linksys WAP11s to each other, but they won't be able to take wireless clients anymore.

[Arizona]

Sorry about the book :) I just hate having to answer the same old questions before we get down to the real nitty gritty so I try to be thorough.

Thanks for the link it was helpful ;) I still do not have a warm and fuzzy about it all so maybe I will wait a bit before I upgrade.

Arizona