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    Wireless Access Point

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Yair, Jul 13, 2006.

  1. Yair

    Yair Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I know I'll need one in order to enable my wired network to supply me with a wireless connection for my laptop, but that's pretty much all I know.
    Is there anything specific I should be looking for in these things ? I've been told WEP is necessary, anything else ? preferred brands ?
    Cheers
     
    Yair, Jul 13, 2006
    #1
  2. Scarf_Face

    Scarf_Face Notebook Geek

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    For almost all brands, you will find glowing reviews as well as people damning the manufacturer to hell. Linksys seems to be a more or less reliable choice in all things network-related. Try to buy from a local big-box store, so you can return/exchange it easily if something doesn't work right (might have to wait/look around for a sale).
     
    Scarf_Face, Jul 13, 2006
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  3. Yair

    Yair Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks, I figured as much about the brands, are there any certain features I should look for ? or are they all just the same...
     
    Yair, Jul 13, 2006
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  4. Smashy

    Smashy Notebook Consultant

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    Through experience, I would surely look for a model with 2 antennae for a better signal.
     
    Smashy, Jul 13, 2006
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  5. Yair

    Yair Notebook Consultant

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    Yair, Jul 14, 2006
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  6. Yair

    Yair Notebook Consultant

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    Yair, Jul 19, 2006
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  7. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Well, with that you want be using your internal card. There are still major problems with all of the pre 11n products. They do not play well with 11g networks from what I have read. Most semi work with there own products, provided there is no other wireless network in the area. And some have been know to take down 11g networks. I hope you are in talking terms with your neighbors.
     
    blue68f100, Jul 19, 2006
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  8. Yair

    Yair Notebook Consultant

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    Not worried about my neighbors, don't think any of them have a wireless network, and they're not as close to my place as you'd think, it's more "spacious" here than in the states...
    Not sure what you had meant when you said "with that you want be using your internal card" could you clarify that a bit ?
     
    Yair, Jul 19, 2006
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  9. Yair

    Yair Notebook Consultant

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    I plan on using it with the standard Wi-Fi card you get inside a laptop, probably a Sony Vaio FE, incase that wasn't clear.
     
    Yair, Jul 19, 2006
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  10. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    The internal card it the built in. There has been numerous reports on that these new 11.n devices have problem connecting to existing 11g hardware. Mfg have been working on getting the distance first, then to connect to there own hardware (11n) first, then there 11g products, then comptetion (last). TomHardware (networking) has ran many test showing these (11n) are really bad right now. You may want to read what you got your self into.
     
    blue68f100, Jul 19, 2006
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  11. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Personally, I prefer the Linksys WRT54G model. It's been solid, and Linksys has great transmission for me (it's in my basement, and I get full signal two floors up), and a great configuration interface. I've used Belkins and D-Links, still prefer Linksys though. I'd also recommend using WPA encryption instead of WEP. It's more secure (WEP can be hacked by someone sniffing your traffic for only a few minutes), and it's easier to remember a passphrase than to remember random-ish WEP keys. Most new models should be able to handle either/both though. WPA is just a heavier load on your router, so if you try to enable it with an older router (as in a firmware updated enabled WPA, it didn't do WPA out of the box), it can cause some problems.
     
    Pitabred, Jul 19, 2006
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  12. Yair

    Yair Notebook Consultant

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    I've seen sevral reviews stating this works fine with 11g cards. just to clarify, this is not a Rangemax NEXT product, just rangemax.
    Thanks for the heads up though, I'll be sure to check up so more on this issue before I actually open and try to run it.
     
    Yair, Jul 19, 2006
    #12