Wireless Routing [message #275620] |
Thu, 26 July 2007 14:01 |
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Chuck Norris
Messages: 312 Registered: July 2007
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Yeah, so we're getting a wireless router soon, and I was wondering what kind of negative effects, if any, this can have. I've heard it can cut out alot, and that it can be especially bad for gaming and downloading. All 3 computers connected will be on the same floor and the three computers will be within about 30 feet or so of the router.
Does anyone have experience with wireless? Better yet, does anyone have experience with wired and wireless? What's it like? Are the dropouts in connection frequent or is it really no big problem?
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #275626 is a reply to message #275620] |
Thu, 26 July 2007 14:38 |
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danpaul88
Messages: 5795 Registered: June 2004 Location: England
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General (5 Stars) |
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I have been using my belkin wireless network for 3 years now and have never had a single problem. I can download from the intarwebs at a steady 2mbps from a decent server.
In 3 years I have only ever had 1 occasion when the wireless would not connect, and that was just because the router needed rebooting.
[Updated on: Thu, 26 July 2007 14:38] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #275628 is a reply to message #275620] |
Thu, 26 July 2007 14:47 |
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almor999
Messages: 232 Registered: February 2004
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I have a D-Link DIR-625 and I have never lost connections or ran into problems playing games, downloading files, etc. Most wireless routers now are very good at finding unused channels and can cover the average house with no problem.
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #275645 is a reply to message #275620] |
Thu, 26 July 2007 17:09 |
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cmatt42
Messages: 2057 Registered: July 2004
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General (2 Stars) |
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Whatever you do, don't opt out for one of those cheapy $20 or Netgear routers. I have a Linksys WRT54G, and the only time it's given me trouble was when I did something to it; I've encountered many Netgear routers which gave me headaches not working one hour and working just fine the next with nothing changed.
As for gaming, my laptop on the wireless connection tends to have slightly better ping than my desktop did wired, but that's probably because I had extra things running such as mIRC. I've reformatted recently, but I can't tell any difference since I'm away from home on vacation.
There is a noticeable reduction in download speed, even less than 10 feet away (my laptop is about that far from my router usually). At 30 feet and with some walls in between (which you didn't mention) you'll probably take quite a hit in speed. You can always have the router near computers that you want to have a more reliable connection and wire them up; network cables can get pretty cheap if you know where to look.
One thing you want to prepare for is security. Generally, you shouldn't have a problem with neighbors getting on your network and hogging your bandwidth or performing malicious attacks from your network... but it's better to be safe than sorry. Depending on where you live should dictate what kind of security you'll need. If you live in a fairly sizable city, you'll definitely want strong protection. In a suburban area, you can be more slack, and if your nearest neighbor is a two minute's drive away, you should be fine with the bare minimum.
Basically, when setting up the router, go into the wireless security section, set the mode to WPA (not WEP, that's easily crackable now). If it has different encryption methods such as TKIP or AES, it doesn't really matter what you choose. After that, you have to set up a passphrase which your wireless clients will have to enter to join your network. You'll want to make a random string of numbers and letters just like any other password, just don't forget it. After that, apply the settings, enter in the passphrase when it's asked for, and you should be all set.
Well, I've covered quite a bit. If you want to know more, please do ask.
GunKataGaming.net
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #275654 is a reply to message #275620] |
Thu, 26 July 2007 18:59 |
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Chuck Norris
Messages: 312 Registered: July 2007
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I get the feeling I should tell my parents not to switch? There seems little point in switching if it'll reduce speed, consitency in the connection itself, and will just give us more things to set security up on, let alone purchasing the wireless adapters and wireless router. All that doesn't seem worth it when the wired connection we have works perfectly. The connection is great, the speeds are fine, and pings are decent (100-200 average). AT&T isn't the best in reliability, but I've never had to deal with "dropouts", and that was my biggest worry about wireless. I've heard bad things about it from some (my buddy on IM gets disconnected what must be a dozen times a day), and others say it's no big deal.
Edit: Yes, a question. Do phones (cordless, cellular) have an impact, or is that a rumor?
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
[Updated on: Thu, 26 July 2007 19:19] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #275662 is a reply to message #275620] |
Thu, 26 July 2007 20:19 |
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cmatt42
Messages: 2057 Registered: July 2004
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General (2 Stars) |
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Well, if you're already all wired, you've got it made. You or your parents may not like little wires running around the house, but you'll like setting up a wireless network even less.
As for the impact- cell phones I haven't noticed any problems, but most if not all routers operate at 2.8GHz. That's close to the 2.4GHz frequency many cordless phones use and is known to drop wireless connections to your computer when they're in use. You'll want to make sure they operate at a different frequency; we have 5.8GHz cordless phones, and it hasn't posed a problem (and shouldn't).
GunKataGaming.net
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #275680 is a reply to message #275620] |
Fri, 27 July 2007 02:40 |
JPNOD
Messages: 807 Registered: April 2004 Location: Area 51
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Well... Wireless doesn't have to be bad but it can be bad and it really depends on alot of factors which you don't have with a wire.
For gaming I would still recommend wired as you just want the best ping and no disconnects.
And like some others said, if you ever plan on taking wireless don't take some B brand but try to get you hands on a Linksys they work and run.
(With some occasions out)
WOL nick: JPNOD
[Updated on: Fri, 27 July 2007 02:41] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #275840 is a reply to message #275620] |
Sat, 28 July 2007 03:09 |
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Chuck Norris
Messages: 312 Registered: July 2007
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Seems like wireless is more luck of the draw than anything else from these replies.
Good news is that we MAY stay with wired. I told them a few of the drawbacks and they said "we'll see what happens" on if we stick with wired. I think my parents were told that wireless would be faster (I think we're upgrading our DSL package), but I told them that's not true, so I dunno. The other reason was that our puppy likes to chew on the wires. We've already had to replace the main wire once, and the one connected to my computer has some teeth marks, but he's getting past that. Here's to hoping.
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #276754 is a reply to message #275620] |
Thu, 02 August 2007 11:57 |
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Chuck Norris
Messages: 312 Registered: July 2007
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Update: We're now on the "new" internet. It's still with the same provider, and we stayed wired. I'm not sure exactly what they did, but they replaced our router and modem with a pretty big box that was sort of like the two combined, and it's supposed to be faster. My dad also said the "modem", or whatever that box is, isn't connected through our phone outlet like the old one. It certainly feels faster. I'm just glad we stayed wired. The guy who came told my dad the same things I did so we didn't switch.
When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.
When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.
Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.
[Updated on: Thu, 02 August 2007 12:02] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Wireless Routing [message #279613 is a reply to message #275620] |
Fri, 17 August 2007 12:20 |
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superj69
Messages: 309 Registered: September 2005 Location: Hamilton , Ontario
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i have a d-link 524 that i got off a friend for only $25 lol, and it works great... though i only use the wireless for my brothers psp LOL
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