Re: Wireless Lan for dummies

["zrowdyates" <rowdy@xxxxxxx>]

Aidan,

Thanks for this it's been really helpful, I've read the documents you
mention and had a dig around, basically I was thinking of getting one
of the
3Com Homeconnect Wireless gateways, use this to connect to my
existing PC
which already has a network card. Then I can get a wireless card for a
laptop and this would allow me to connect. This seems to be my
cheapest
option and will allow for future expansion.

Don't know if people have any views on the Home connect?

Thanks,

Keith
--- In ukha_d@y..., "Aidan Williamson" <fluff@i...> wrote:
> As with normal networks you can do it cheap(er) and easy or in a
(IMHO)
> better, but more costly way.
>
> Cheaper route is peer2peer. 2 or more PCs with wireless adapters
(PCMCIA,
> PCI, ISA or USB) talking to each other, kinda teh wirelss
equivalent of
> thinethernet(BNC) with a bunch of PCs daisy-chained. Fine if you'll
only
> ever have a basic setup.
>
> The other option is to use an acess point (AP), which acts as a hub
(wired
> network analogy) All PCs talk to it & info is distributed through
it. This
> gives more scope for growth, but costs more  initially (not much
more these
> days)
>
> Depending on how much you want to spend the AP can have a variety of
> options. Most have a UTP ethernet interface to connect to an
existing
> network. This can also be used to connect it to Cable Modem, or ADSL
> connected PC with routing option. Some have a built in modem and can
> autodial your ISP. If you scan about (and watch the list) an AP +
one card
> can often be had for under ?200. A good card will set you back at
least ?70
> so worth it if you can afford the extra.
>
> If you only have 2 machines now but plan to expand some APs can be
connected
> directly to an ethernet card with a crossover cable. Effectively
peer to
> peer, but ready to grow.
>
> A DHCP erver is also common (be carful adding to existing network)
and if
> you wantto spend more, firewalls, and more adanced gateways.
>
> There are quite a few different types out there, but most of the
industry
> has settled upon 802.11b or WiFi. My personnal recomendation is to
follow
> this as will be available for a long time & a lot of people have
it
(cheap
> kit does appear)
>
> Hope that's clear. If not I appologise but it's been a long day.
>
> Here's a couple of basics docs from 3Com. Not recommending them,
just the
> only address I can remember.
>
> http://www.3com.com/corpinfo/en_US/technology/tech_paper.jsp?
DOC_ID=148
> http://www.3com.com/corpinfo/en_US/technology/tech_paper.jsp?
DOC_ID=149
>
>
> Night
>
> Aidan
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: zrowdyates [mailto:rowdy@xxxxxxx...]
> > Sent: 06 February 2002 22:23
> > To: ukha_d@y...
> > Subject: [ukha_d] Wireless Lan for dummies
> >
> >
> > Sorry guys, but I've lost the plot here a bit. Could someone
explain
> > in simple terms what I would need for a wireless lan, is it a
simple
> > case of wireless cards in each PC? The reason I ask is following
some
> > of the previous posts, I've looked at the likes of Dabs and they
also
> > do things like gateways, which are more expensive, what are these
for?
> >
> > Any help would be greatley appreciated or any pointers to further
> > information.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Keith
> >