"Newtechie" wrote:

> I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
> desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
> connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on it's
> own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need to
> purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other pcs on
> the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> newtechie
>
>
>

"Bob Willard" wrote:

> Newtechie wrote:
>
> > I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
> > desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
> > connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on it's
> > own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need to
> > purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other pcs on
> > the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> > newtechie
> >
> >
>
> If your current router does not support wireless, then I'd replace that
> router with a wired+wireless router.  With the normal setup, you will be
> able to share F's & P's from the wireless laptop to the wired desktops
> just as you now do.
>
> You can use DHCP or not; your choice.  Make sure you use WAP if you can,
> since it is more secure than WEP.
> --
> Cheers, Bob
>

"jmwills" <jmwi***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2691E463-1217-4447-B177-786BCAE5BFAD@microsoft.com...
> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
> http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx
> http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
>
> Good threads to bookmark.
> --
> MCP (2K) Net+, A+
> Server-Networking MVP
>
>
> "Bob Willard" wrote:
>
> > Newtechie wrote:
> >
> > > I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
> > > desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
> > > connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on
it's
> > > own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need
to
> > > purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other
pcs on
> > > the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > > newtechie
> > >
> > >
> >
> > If your current router does not support wireless, then I'd replace that
> > router with a wired+wireless router.  With the normal setup, you will be
> > able to share F's & P's from the wireless laptop to the wired desktops
> > just as you now do.
> >
> > You can use DHCP or not; your choice.  Make sure you use WAP if you can,
> > since it is more secure than WEP.
> > --
> > Cheers, Bob
> >

> Thank all of you for your help to get me started.  I'm sure I'll have more
> questions but I'll read first and the get my tools in place before posting
> again.  I have one more quick question.  What's an Access Point?
>
> newtechie
>
> "jmwills" <jmwi***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:2691E463-1217-4447-B177-786BCAE5BFAD@microsoft.com...
>
>>http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
>>http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm
>>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx
>>http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
>>
>>Good threads to bookmark.
>>--
>>MCP (2K) Net+, A+
>>Server-Networking MVP
>>
>>
>>"Bob Willard" wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Newtechie wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
>>>>desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
>>>>connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on
>
> it's
>
>>>>own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need
>
> to
>
>>>>purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other
>
> pcs on
>
>>>>the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?
>>>>
>>>>Thanks in advance,
>>>>newtechie
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>If your current router does not support wireless, then I'd replace that
>>>router with a wired+wireless router.  With the normal setup, you will be
>>>able to share F's & P's from the wireless laptop to the wired desktops
>>>just as you now do.
>>>
>>>You can use DHCP or not; your choice.  Make sure you use WAP if you can,
>>>since it is more secure than WEP.
>>>--
>>>Cheers, Bob
>>>
>
>
>

"Bob Willard" <BobwB***@TrashThis.comcast.net> wrote in message
news:OAbbirc1GHA.4388@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Newtechie wrote:
>
> > Thank all of you for your help to get me started.  I'm sure I'll have
more
> > questions but I'll read first and the get my tools in place before
posting
> > again.  I have one more quick question.  What's an Access Point?
> >
> > newtechie
> >
> > "jmwills" <jmwi***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:2691E463-1217-4447-B177-786BCAE5BFAD@microsoft.com...
> >
> >>http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
> >>http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm
> >>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx
> >>http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
> >>
> >>Good threads to bookmark.
> >>--
> >>MCP (2K) Net+, A+
> >>Server-Networking MVP
> >>
> >>
> >>"Bob Willard" wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Newtechie wrote:
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
> >>>>desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
> >>>>connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on
> >
> > it's
> >
> >>>>own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need
> >
> > to
> >
> >>>>purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other
> >
> > pcs on
> >
> >>>>the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?
> >>>>
> >>>>Thanks in advance,
> >>>>newtechie
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>If your current router does not support wireless, then I'd replace that
> >>>router with a wired+wireless router.  With the normal setup, you will
be
> >>>able to share F's & P's from the wireless laptop to the wired desktops
> >>>just as you now do.
> >>>
> >>>You can use DHCP or not; your choice.  Make sure you use WAP if you
can,
> >>>since it is more secure than WEP.
> >>>--
> >>>Cheers, Bob
> >>>
> >
> >
> >
>
> An AP is a wired-to-wireless transducer; it allows wireless widgets to
connect to
> a wired network.
>
> Because APs are low-volume compared to combo AP+switch+routers, those
wireless
> routers are frequently cheaper than simple APs.
> --
> Cheers, Bob

"Newtechie" <newtechie@nospam.com> wrote...
> So which is better to get - an AP or wireless router?  There was an
> comparison chart on amazon for WAP vs Wireless router and the router had
> more yeses than the access point.  So I'll assume according to the chart
> than the router is better but I'm unsure.
>>
>>>Newtechie wrote:
>>>
>>>I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
>>>desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
>>>connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on it's
>>>own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need to
>>>purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other pcs
>>>on
>>>the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?

"John Weiss" <jrweiss98155nospamatnospamcomcastdotnospamnet> wrote in
message news:OE713%23d1GHA.968@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Since you are familiar with your Linksys router, simply buy a Linksys
WRT54G
> wired/wireless router to replace the old router.  The wired portion is
> identical to what you have, and the wireless configuration is relatively
> easy.  Once the wireless configuration is set up on the router and the
> Laptop, printing is unchnaged from what you have now.
>
> If you have a built-in wireless card in the laptop, you need no more
> hardware.  If not, buy a Linksys PC-Card wireless card for the laptop.
>
> When you set up the wireless part of the router, follow the instructions
to
> set up WPA security.  Copy down the SSID and Security codes you enter,
> because you will need them for the laptop setup.
>
>
> "Newtechie" <newtechie@nospam.com> wrote...
> > So which is better to get - an AP or wireless router?  There was an
> > comparison chart on amazon for WAP vs Wireless router and the router had
> > more yeses than the access point.  So I'll assume according to the chart
> > than the router is better but I'm unsure.
> >>
> >>>Newtechie wrote:
> >>>
> >>>I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
> >>>desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
> >>>connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on
it's
> >>>own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need
to
> >>>purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other
pcs
> >>>on
> >>>the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?
>
>

"John Weiss" <jrweiss98155nospamatnospamcomcastdotnospamnet> wrote in
message news:Otx%23e6e1GHA.2176@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> "Newtechie" <newtechie@nospam.com> wrote...
> > Hi John.  I think I'd have to buy a wireless card.  Do you know if the
> > Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G card is any good?  It says it operates 2.4
ghz.
> > Are there any faster or is that pretty good?
>
> If you're going to buy both a router and a card, go for the WRT54GS and
> WPC54GS for about $10 more each.  The S at the end is for "Speedbooster,"
> which increases range and throughput when the compatible pair (router and
> card) are used together.  They also work as regular Wireless-G with
> non-Speedbooster systems.  I have them (as well as WMP54GS for my basement
> desktop) at home.
>
> The "2.4 GHz" is the radio band, not the throughput.  Wireless-G is
designed
> for 54 Mbps, but nominal throughput is closer to 20 at typical ranges.
With
> Speedbooster, you may close to double that.
>
> Another advantage is that both are able to use WPA2 security.
>
> Just stay away from the "Wireless N" stuff.  It's not "ready for prime
time"
> yet.
>
>

>
>> Just stay away from the "Wireless N" stuff.  It's not "ready for prime
>> time" yet.

> Distance is the primary factor in throughput.  The number and type of
walls
> is another factor.  Antenna orientation is yet another.
>
> How far?  How many walls in between?  What kind of walls?  Straight shot,
or
> 45 deg angle from the wall orientation?  Same floor or 2 floors up/down?
>
> If the answer is 1 or 2 walls, sheetrock, 20-30 feet, same floor, straight
> shot; then the throughput is probably "nominal" .
>
>
> "Newtechie" <newtechie@nospam.com> wrote...
> > Thanks for your thorough explanation of the differences.  How much of a
> > difference would I see if the router is in a different room than the
> > laptop?
>
>
> >> If you're going to buy both a router and a card, go for the WRT54GS and
> WPC54GS for about $10 more each.  The S at the end is for "Speedbooster,"
> which increases range and throughput when the compatible pair (router and
> card) are used together.  They also work as regular Wireless-G with
> non-Speedbooster systems.  I have them (as well as WMP54GS for my basement
> desktop) at home.
> >
> >> The "2.4 GHz" is the radio band, not the throughput.  Wireless-G is
> designed for 54 Mbps, but nominal throughput is closer to 20 at typical
> ranges. With Speedbooster, you may close to double that.  Another
advantage
> is that both are able to use WPA2 security.
> >
> >> Just stay away from the "Wireless N" stuff.  It's not "ready for prime
> >> time" yet.
>
>

"jmwills" wrote:

> http://www.practicallynetworked.com/howto/
> http://www.theeldergeek.com/quick_guide_to_simple_file_sharing.htm
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/default.mspx
> http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html
>
> Good threads to bookmark.
> --
> MCP (2K) Net+, A+
> Server-Networking MVP
>
>
> "Bob Willard" wrote:
>
> > Newtechie wrote:
> >
> > > I currently have a wired network which I would like to keep.  I have 2
> > > desktops and a laptop connected to a Linksys router and a broadband
> > > connection.  What I'd like to do is remove the laptop and have it on it's
> > > own network so I can move about the house.  1)What hardware do I need to
> > > purchase?  2)Will I still be able to share files and access the other pcs on
> > > the wired network? and 3)How will printing be affected?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > > newtechie
> > >
> > >
> >
> > If your current router does not support wireless, then I'd replace that
> > router with a wired+wireless router.  With the normal setup, you will be
> > able to share F's & P's from the wireless laptop to the wired desktops
> > just as you now do.
> >
> > You can use DHCP or not; your choice.  Make sure you use WAP if you can,
> > since it is more secure than WEP.
> > --
> > Cheers, Bob
> >