I am in the process of building a new house and would like advice on setting up the house for wireless PC ops. I currently use Comcast Broadband cable, Vonage VoIP and a MS wired hub with two PCs in the same room. This will change to one PC upstairs and one downstairs. What do you recommend for wireless equipment, considering that I can install and set everything up myself?
QUESTION POSED ON: 20 JUL 2004
QUESTION ANSWERED BY: Lisa Phifer
You're looking to replace your "wired hub" with a wireless equivalent when you move one PC upstairs in your new home. I'm guessing that you're not using a hub now, but a Microsoft "base station" like the MN-100, a NAT-ing router connected by Ethernet to your cable modem and two PCs. You can replace that product directly with Microsoft's MN-700, a NAT-ing router that will connect by Ethernet to your cable modem and adjacent PC, but use 802.11g to reach your PC upstairs. You'll also need a wireless adapter for your upstairs PC -- for example, Microsoft's MN-730 PCI adapter or
MN-710 USB adapter are both suitable for use with desktop PCs.
I stuck with Microsoft products above so that you could see how products in the same line you're using today can satisfy your needs, but of course many other vendors offer similar home wireless products at the same (or better) prices. As long as you stick with products intended for home use (e.g., Linksys, D-Link, Netgear) you should be able to install and configure wireless devices like these yourself. Although not necessary, choosing a wireless router and adapter from one product family may reduce setup problems, and you might even save money by purchasing a router+card bundle.
Note that I have not yet addressed your use of Vonage. You don't say whether you're using a Cisco or Motorola TA with your VoIP service or how that's connected to your existing network, so I'll guess that your TA is connected by Ethernet to the same base station as your PCs. You'll be able to connect that TA to an Ethernet switch port on your wireless router and accomplish the same thing.
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