Do I need a wireless router or a wireless access point?

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BigMrC

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3170 13-Jan-2005 12:59

I currently have a pc connected to jetstream via adsl modem.
I have a laptop that I want to be able to use wirelessly.
I want to be able to use the pc on the internet (with same settings as now - hardwired) and the laptop on the internet wirelessly at the same time.

Do I need a wireless ROUTER plus a wireless card for the laptop
or
Do I need a wireless ACCESS POINT plus a wireless card for the laptop.

Thanks to anyone that can help.

Sooner Al

66 posts

Master Geek

#11819 14-Jan-2005 01:21

In my opinion a combination broadband router/wireless access point makes sense. You would connect the ADSL modem direct to the device then either hardwire the desktop PC and laptop to the device or add wireless cards to the desktop PC and the laptop or some combination. Both the desktop and the laptop could use the internet connection at the same time or one could be turned off, etc...

It kind of depends on where the ASDL modem is in relation to where you normally use the desktop and the laptop. If the modem is next or close to the laptop then a wired 10BaseT connection from the desktop to the router makes sense.

If the laptop has a built-in Ethernet network interface (NIC) you could also use a 10BaseT wired connection. Otherwise if the laptop does not have a wireless card built-in you need to purchase an 802.11b/g card for the laptop. Personally wireless makes more sense to me, unless it comes down to a budget issue...

FWIW, I use a Buffalo WBR-G54 4-Port Broadband Router/802.11b/g Wireless Access Point on my home LAN.

http://theillustratednetwork.mvps.org/LAN/LAN.html

My desktop PCs are wired, 100 Mbps 10BaseT, to the router while my iPAQ 5555 PocketPC uses a wireless 802.11b link to the LAN...

If your budget precludes a wireless access point/router you could purchase two wireless cards, one for the desktop and one for the laptop, and connect via an ad-hoc link. Its not as robust and you need the desktop turned on all the time in order for the laptop to access the internet via ICS. Plus the cost for two cards will probably come close to the cost of the wireless access point/router and a wireless card for the laptop...

spazz

266 posts

Ultimate Geek

#12008 20-Jan-2005 17:53

Mate, I'd simply recommend a Wireless access point. You already have the ADSL router, and a wireless ADSL router would be another $200+

Honestly, all I reckon you need is a wireless access point and a PCMCIA card for your laptop. Good luck!!

http://walkingisoverrated.com

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#12013 20-Jan-2005 19:38

Sooner Al:My desktop PCs are wired, 100 Mbps 10BaseT, to the router while my iPAQ 5555 PocketPC uses a wireless 802.11b link to the LAN...

That's pretty much what I have here. A cable/modem connected to a Belkin Wireless Router with four ports. My desktop is hardwired at 100mbps. My Pocket PC (h4150), my tablet PC and the wife's iMac are connected via wireless to the same router.

Since the router has a built-in DHCP server setup is easy. In my case I've changed the default IP range so that I could have another router for test sometimes.

At New Zealand prices, the Belkin will be around NZ$180 (US$130). A wireless PC Card (the new name for PCMCIA) will be around NZ$90 (US$65).

Spazz: Yep, if a router is already available then an Access Point is enough. But some ADSL modem accept one connection only, depending on model.