by Bjorn Keizers » Nov 22, 2003 @ 11:46pm
I think I can help. I recently installed a wireless network at home.
I use a wireless PCMCIA card w/ my laptop for school, so I wanted to install a wireless network at home too.
The best option is a wireless router. Especially if you already have a wired network like we do. You have a built in firewall, and you can still use your wired network. It's also much more secure then an access point which you install *behind* your router's firewall. Adding cards is easier as well.
A wireless router doesn't cost an arm and a leg if you only need 802.11b @ 11 mbps; I bought mine for 70 euro. You can get more expensive, but you really don't need that. I can use Kazaa, stream video, and it's just as fast as a wired network.
About dongles and ad hoc networks..
What ad hoc means is you connect two computers through their cards. [or in this case a PPC] So, you need to turn on that PC to use the network - you don't have to do that if you use a router.
So, if I were you, I'd just install a wireless router. If you want to expand your network it's much simpler then buying dongles and such.
wifi questions
