Wireless network

[Aunty Em]

I'm looking for information on setting up a wireless network at home. I'm interested in using these Belkin units but the information in the downloaded manual is confusing. Can anyone give me some general tips on what if anything is required besides the units and the same operating systems on the the computers involved. There is also a radio ham just down the road from me with a mast in his garden. Is this likely to affect my network - it did have an effect on my cordless phone making it impossible to use when he was on air so I had to change back to corded.

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProd...Networki...ndCables/WirelessNetworking/ct_Id>

 

[Jeslek]

IIRC, 802.11b operates at 2.4 GHz, or 2,400 MHz. And, stretching my mind, doesn't ham radios operate at 29 MHz? I seriously doubt you will have problems with that. I'm unsure of the cordless phone though, I mean, those operate at 900 MHz or so... You shouldn't have troubles, unless my memory is failing.

You just need the central hub and a network card for each computer. Not even the same operating system I think. It works just like a normal network card.

 

[Aunty Em]

I've never used a network card before or setup a normal network, but the geography and construction of my flat and where the computers are situated makes it very difficult to run a cable between them as it would have to go up and over because I have concrete floors and breeze block walls (need a hammer drill to hang a picture) and it would have to go through several doorways. I can't drill through through the walls as it's not my property.

You just need the central hub and a network card for each computer.

Does that actually include the main computer? The one with the hub.

 

[Jeslek]

Yeah, wireless seems to be a good bet then. I wish I could help out more. I'm going to put up a Wireless Access Point in my house and have a few spare network cards when friends come over. Its always a pain to get everyone a cable and plug them into the switch.

Basically, you need the Wireless Access Point, and a wireless network card for every computer. Thats basically it I think.

 

[Aunty Em]

I need to know about security as well. The range on this is up to 1800 feet.

 

[Jeslek]

I need to know about security as well. The range on this is up to 1800 feet.

Well, I'm sure the neighbors won't mind the porn being broadcasted... err, wait, thats my house... You got them secret recipies for apple pie?

I honestly don't know about the security of that. I know this is a big thing, because anyone can literally hook up by sitting outside your house. Maybe there is a way of telling the WAP to only accept 3 connections from certain IPs? Or something... I'd like to know this too.

 

[Aunty Em]

Well, I'm sure the neighbors won't mind the porn being broadcasted... err, wait, thats my house...

We live in a flat that is adapted for wheelchair use, sliding doors, wide doorways, ramps etc. which means most of my neighbours are elderly so I don't have a problem with them - I think they're past it.

You got them secret recipies for apple pie?

No, but I have a very sort after one for barbecue sauce (I trained as a professional chef, but it was even worse paid than nursing so I gave it up) - it bites back. :eek11: And yeah, I do all that mumsy stuff as well - knitting (hate it), sewing, embroidery, blah, blah, blah, (embarassing) it was a requirement for females when I was a girl.

I had 2 career chioces when I left school at 16 - nurse or secretary (dinosaurs!), fortunately girls don't have the same restrictions today.

 

[PT]

Nah, they can be strippers now too. I've even heard of one chick around here that's becoming an engineer!!!!

Go figure.