Wireless Networking

[(Shovel)]

With my new computer building phase in about 6 weeks (I have a slight problem about the dates on which I get paid...), I am looking for some sort of networking kit so I can get it on the net via a peer to peer network.
There is no way I will be able to run cables due to location of the two machines and wireless networking has caught my eye.

Does anyone know about it at all? It will remain just a peer to peer network and it needs range to go from a room downstairs to a room upstairs (not sure of the exact distance - can pace it out if you like!). Transfer speeds need to be fast enough to get good net access and transfering small/medium files from the two machines.

Sources? Prices? Problems?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thankyou.

 

[Embattle]

Well the Intel Anypoint is alright but it seems to have problems under W2K...perhaps the drivers need a little work.

Speed = 1.6mbps
Price = Under £100 but you need to of them(USB) to connect two computers.

If your planning on using something like Sygate to route stuff from one PC to another without a hardware router I'm not sure if it works with USB equipment.

 

[old.?]

You have too much cheaper option here which will be about 90X faster.

If distance is less than 20m, [mine is upstairs to downstairs and it's about 18m] then you best option is two network cards, 100mb/s should cost about £13 each www.microdirect.co.uk and an X-over wire length 20m £8 that is a complete peer to peer network for £34! This is what I am running now.

Also there is a second slightly more expensive option, but is probably the most sensible. Again you will need to network cards costing £13 for 100mb/s, two cables, if distance is big then two 20m STANDARD network cables will cost you about £10. You will also need a 100mb/s hub that will cost you about £60, so the second option will cost you £96, but at 100mb/s compared to 1.7mb/s it is worth every penny.

 

[Summo]

Wireless LAN on a home budget is still pretty expensive and as ? says, a good old cable network is faster and so much cheaper.

Is there really no way you can drag a cable through the floor/wall or up the stairs?

 

[Embattle]

Originally posted by SomeGuy
Wireless LAN on a home budget is still pretty expensive and as ? says, a good old cable network is faster and so much cheaper.

Is there really no way you can drag a cable through the floor/wall or up the stairs?

I know this, you know this, but its not what he asked for

 

[nothing]

not being able to use hard wiring really puts a cramp on your style. Is it completely impossible to move the computers? If you had a crossover cable you could get up to 100Mbps

 

[~Lazarus~]

Originally posted by SomeGuy
Wireless LAN on a home budget is still pretty expensive and as ? says, a good old cable network is faster and so much cheaper.

Is there really no way you can drag a cable through the floor/wall or up the stairs?

Must be something major stopping you running cables.

A little bit more work could save you pennies and give you faster connects.

 

[Summo]

If there's something that major in the way that you can't run a cable through/round it, that same obstruction could well prevent your wireless LAN from working. Had a similar problem at work when I arranged for a wireless LAN to be installed in a Grade 2 listed building. Need more details!

Maybe this guy has a small nuclear reactor in the gap between the ceiling and the upstairs floor.

 

[(Shovel)]

not as such

Basically, I live in an old georgian house and as a result there are supports all over the ceiling and it would be akward to run cable - though not impossible by any means

I actually didnt realise how cheap network cable was, which was one reason for enquiring wirelessly, though with that in mind I shall rethink my plans I think.

Thankyou for enlightenment as usual the BW regulars deliver

 

[old.PotzUK]

I had trouble trying to install the Anypoint stuff for a customer of mine recently, trying to install it in Win2k is a b1tch.

You go to the site and you can find the actual software, but try to find the drivers? G/l with that!

The help file on the site says to download the drivers before you plug the transmittor/receiver thingy in, but it doesn't say where from or anything.

The joys of Intel