Wireless Networking with Routers
 

Hello GFY,

I currently have a hub setup, wires are everywhere! My brother and I want to setup a wireless setup. Our rooms are next to each other. We are looking at http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/dept.a...EN&catid=21099 but not sure what to get.

1) Wireless N Networking
2) Wireless G Networking

What's the difference between these 2? Our network will have 2 PCs and 1 PS3 (game console). I heard you loose some bandwidth when using wireless compared to using wires, true? Or is it because they cheaped out? They range from $30-$200 CAN.

Also would the PS3 need a USB adapter like the 2 PCs or does Wi Fi pick it up?

Go with the N standard. Faster and longer range.

Something like this would be appropriate:

http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US...8040121_rb.jpg
Link

For best results you should get the corresponding Dlink Xtreme N cards for your desktops (See related products on the page link above). That is the only way to get near the top speed result of 300 Mbps.

The PS3 has built in wifi, so no worries there. And gaming online is fine over wifi.

I must add however that since your rooms are next to each other, two cables running from each PC into a gigabit router shouldn't be an issue. If you perform large file transfers between each PC, that is the absolutely best bet (assuming each PC has a gigabit ethernet card).

Thanks for the feedback brother! I'm thinking of going with this setup:

TRENDnet Wireless N Router
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...94&catid=26055

TRENDnet Wireless N USB Adapter
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...92&catid=26056

Good idea or will I be loosing speed? Oh, and my brother has a laptop so he will also have to buy another adapter unless it has wifi.

The trendnet can work fine as well.

I'm only promoting the DLink Xtreme because I've installed it in corporate setups with no issues.

What kind of issues can you have with these routers?

they die

p.s. if you look at reviews online all routers are the same %50 of people say it sucks and doesnt work and %50 say it's great
get the cheapest router with N MIMO technology and enjoy it while it lives.

About how long will they last? Sorry for all the questions brothers!

TRENDnet Wireless N USB Adapter -- BestBuy Rating: 1.5 / 5 :(

This advice should be taken into consideration, especially if it's not a biz setup.

Linksys by Cisco has a wireless router which is N and G, WRT610N two bands of Wireless-N, The 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands are designed to work separately yet simultaneously, so you can easily customize your ideal configuration – so your brother on one band and you the other :)

Good luck with whatever setup you choose to go with.

+1 for the linksys stuff all the way around. I just moved and set mine up in 10 min or less.

Question and update: My brother's network card appears to be bad (orange light when ethernet cable is plugged in). He plans on getting another one but would he have to if we setup a wireless network and he gets a new wireless USB adapter?

An orange light? Something is definitely wrong. Before you give up on the card though, try a new ethernet cable or plugging into a different port on your present router.

Although, it should be said that if he gets a new wireless USB adapter he won't have to worry about using that card anymore.

We use this one, it works great. I usually see speeds of 250-270 mbps through wifi and got a wall between the router and me :thumbsup

It kicked me at random times first but after a software update on the router everything worked smooth

He tried plugging the ethernet cable into his laptop and it worked.

Ok, I'll tell him to go ahead with a new wireless USB adapter. Again, thanks for the advice brother!