Need to add one wirless connection to a wired network.

I have Verizon Fios as my ISP at home with 15mb/s down and 2mb/s up.

I have to use the supplied D-Link router they give us for the service (you can choose wirless or wired) but since my house has my desktop, my stepdads and my brothers. We obviously went wired. For the better im sure.

Well uventully with my gamecube and stuff we ran out of connections so I daisy-chained my old linksys router into the dlink for more connections. No problems there at all and this is a normal thing to do.

Im on the market for a notebook tho and once I get one, the greatest thing happens ^^ I can move around the house finaly and not be stuck in my room (maybe the family will finaly see me??) but for the internet I need a wirless connection. I really hate the idea of chaining yet another router into the setup as we already have 2 together, and its just bound to cause issues :/ (I had alot of trouble trying to run things like P2P thru 2 routers, even with stuff like DMZ, port forwarding, ect I couldnt get it to work) I also want to make sure I keep the full speed of my service and the lowest latency possible.

So the question is I suppose. Is there a way to just add a single wirless connection to a wired network? Some kind of hardware that you plug into a router's port that can create a wireless connection for a single machine but still run thru the old router??

Also rather than making 2 topics. Hows latency on wirless now days? For a online FPS game, will I be at a disadvantage playing wirless over wired due to latency? I get crazy good connection speeds via my wired connection both bandwidth and latency.

 

I don't know about your original question but I can answer the latency questions. I play CS 1.6 on my wireless and my latency is fine and as good as wired. The biggest issue you may run into is connection stuttering (look at my thread to see what I mean). I'm not sure what causes the stuttering but I'm assuming that the wireless isn't able to maintain a consistent stream of data or something.

 

You can probably just replace your old linksys router with a new wireless linksys router (which also has the wired ports), which will run you about $50(US). Unfortunately, what you're looking for is a cheap wireless bridge, which really doesn't exist. Wireless isn't quite like wired, where you're limited by the number of ports. You just get lower bandwidth per client with every client(computer) you get on a single router, with essentially unlimited clients.

 

You need to add a AP to your network.

I would replace the 2nd router used as a switch and add a larger 8+ GigE switch to it.

Back to wireless. AP cost about the same as a new Wireless Router. The difference is that a AP will come with better antenna's. They do more functions and preform better than the built-in or combo (wireless routers) do. Mainly because they have there own CPU and RAM, and do not have to wait for it's time. Also because of the heat the radio generates, will not impact the router. There are alot of combo units that have problem with heat.

I use a seperate AP in my setup. It allow you to position it any where you want without all of the wires related to a router. So you can mount it in the room that gives you the best coverage.

No matter which way you go I would move up to a GigE Wireless Router or Switch. You never have too many ports. The problem is that all WR only have 3-4 Lan ports. Buy yourself a Dlink DG-2208 (8 port) switch. These are good little units for under $50.

 

Thanks blue, I'll have to look into an "AP" have a link for me for one you recomend?

 

The Linksys WAP54G or WAP54GS are a couple. Dlink and Netgear both along with NO Names make them too.

 

I looking to get this one maybe since my new notebook will most probably have the new "n" wireless standard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156053

 

I would not buy 11n right now. Draft 2.0 hardware is just starting to ship and you want to make sure you get it. Otherwise it may not meet the final spec.

The rating is not very good on that one. But it could only be drivers which are really bad. I would suggest sticking to a major mfg.

 

Your current network sounds pretty messy. How many total LAN ports do you need?

If you need more than 4 LAN ports, I would just get a Dell 10/100 8-16 ports switch. You don't necessarily need a gigabit switch if you're not going to be transferring big files across the network.

As far as wireless goes, just get a 11g Buffalo Router. Linksys, Netgear, D-link will also work, but I just prefer Buffalo. They're essentially all the same.

I would highly suggest this setup (Dell switch + Wireless router) because it gives you more ports for future expansion. Just getting another wireless router will just clutter up your network, even though you don't have to use the routing function of a router.

Don't bother trying to find Wireless Access Points. They're hard to find, more expensive, and you don't need the extra features.

 

I have to keep that crappy d-link tho if you read my post. Its required by Fios.

Since I do alot of stuff like host games and use P2P I have a DMZ on there for myself, then everybody else goes thru the linksys for a firewall and the usual security features.

 

FIOS also uses a ActionTec router, that has 11g on it. But still only has 4 ports. It's what I have that I don't use.

You are only required to use their router if you want the ON screen Programming and VOD. I have my Netgear FVS338 in from of it, and it works fine. I needed my VPN endpoint in control.

Contact them and see if you can swap routers. It will give you a 11g Wireless for free.

 

So your D-link is a router/modem combo and not just a router.

 

You can buy one of those things advertised for use of Nintendo DS Wifi, but I'm pretty sure you can use it as a wifi too. You plug it into a computer with an internet connection, and it gives off wifi from that usb port.

Might wanna check it out. Has security too!

 

My friend has one of those limeeater, yeah it works good. May look into that!

as far as the fios deal. its just a router, its not a modem. They told us we are requried to use it, not just for tech support stuff because it has "special" settings for fios (it does have diffrent firmware on it I think) however I think all that really consist of is a 1492MTU and maybe a few other things.

I will also call to see if they will swap me out for the wireless one with the 4 ports. I doubt it since they only gave us a choice of router at install time.

 

For those who are not famillar with Verizon FIOS. Fiber Optic is ran to the house. A tranceiver converts the light to a Cat5e port, which connects to a modem. No Modem is required. Also at the Verizon box they split off the TC and phone service.

There are firewall rules built into the firmware to allow the tv to get TVGuide and VOD. Opens a bunch (all) of udp ports up for 1 service. My neighbor has one. They switched over to my Actiontec 3 mo later, which is what I have. If you do not have their TV Service, you may be missing a NIM box used to connect the tv service into the broadband.

You can use a different router. I DO. But you will loose VOD and the TV guide if you do not connect it into your system. I have VOD blocked so I can ot tell you if it will work behind another router. Connection it into a lan port on the router does allow the TVGuide to work.

If you decide a different router You have 2 options. 1 tie it into the dlink lan port and connect all of your hardware to it. Run a double firewall, works with out any problems. 2 put your new one in front and and you may loose some advanced features. If you do this you may need to clone some mac address for it to work.

I told them up front I was not going to use their router and they did not have a problem with it. I just loose features. I need my endpoint router for remote connections. That way I can have full access to my entire network. The actiontec supports VPN port forwarding. but that only give you access to 1 PC. I store all of my data on NAS's so port forwarding was not going to work.