Wireless Router

[B1Gtime]

Location of PC is going to change. Im getting a new room which is going to be in the basement and my sister is too since we shared a room for most of our lives. In the basement there will be 2 rooms, TV room, and bathroom. And now since im moving down there i need a way to get internet(for 2 pcs, Xbox 360). Right now my PC is connected to A Wireless Linyksis router,direct connected(wireless connection sucks) so i was thing of buying a gaming wireless router so i can pick up wireless internet from upstairs without a --foot ethernet cord going thro 2 floors.

Any good gaming wireless routers out there that you recommend?

I was looking at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16833127158

If the gaming wireless router doesnt work, my dad said i guess well just make a second feed from the upstairs.

thx.

[Killdrath]

That or look for a wireless bridge unit. The unit connects to the wireless network and basically acts as a switch for hard-wiring devices at the target location (i.e. plug the comps, xbox, etc into the bridge with wires)

For example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833176107

Then just plug in a handy switch.

[Airbozo]

OK, could not let this go;

Now you truly will be a basement boy! Hehe

sorry, couldn't resist.

But yeah the bridge is a good idea Killdrath...

[B1Gtime]

Haha good one Airbozo

Every bridge im looking at has 1 Ethernet port , how do u connect multiple things into that? buy 1 for every pc/xbox?

And if i get that router i posted what card do i put it my PC? on new egg no wireless network cards are shown for D-Link.

[SgtM]

Haha good one Airbozo

Every bridge im looking at has 1 Ethernet port , how do u connect multiple things into that? buy 1 for every pc/xbox?

And if i get that router i posted what card do i put it my PC? on new egg no wireless network cards are shown for D-Link.

That would be a Wireless Access Point. Basically, it gets a wired connection to the network, and then other devices connect to it wirelessly. You can manage it remotely by typing in it's IP address (it's a good idea to give it a static address) in your web browser. As far as a card for your PC goes, just grab any 802.11x PCI card.

[OvRiDe]

Every bridge im looking at has 1 Ethernet port , how do u connect multiple things into that? buy 1 for every pc/xbox?

Actually that is exactly right when it comes to a wireless bridge. A bridge is different from an access point. A Wireless bridge is designed to connect a wired device to wireless network, and work in conjunction with a wireless router or access point. For instance, I used to help install Sorenson Video Phones for the hearing impaired. These devices have a single ethernet port on the back. Since they are an appliance there is no means to add a wireless card. Since this device hooks to your TV in some cases it was either difficult or not feasible to run a CAT5 cable to the entertainment center. In these cases we used wireless bridges. So basically you set the bridge up using a browser, with the SSID of the wireless network, WEP or WPA key, and the IP address or DHCP, once this has been done you connect an ethernet cable from the bridge to the Video Phones ethernet port and presto bingo chango.. the once wired only device can now talk on the wireless network. So this would work the same for say an XBox that doesnt have means to add wireless support.

This is different from an Access Point, in the fact that an Access Point is an entry point into a network via wireless. So if you have a wired network and you have a few wireless devices that you want to connect to the wired network, you would use an Access Point to provide access to the wired network.

Hope this helps ...

EDIT: Doh, Got caught up in the explanation and forgot to offer the solution I was heading for. :redface:

If you have a good wireless connection in the basement. You could use a bridge and connect the bridge to a switch. This would allow you to connect multiple wired devices to the switch and then use the bridge to connect them to the wireless network. There is one snafu ... Make sure you do the research on the Wireless bridge device and make sure it supports it. For what I have heard there are some that do not support this type of use. I think it has to do with the devices funneling multiple MAC addresses through the bridge, but don't quote me on that. Ultimately I still think the best solution if its possible is to run a wire down to the basement and use a switch down there to all the devices.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[billygoat333]

You could also try a wireless extension point like they have @ hotels & schools. I dunno if that would be feasible, but that is what they do for big buildings that need wireless everywhere, its just a wireless antenna that plugs into an outlet.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineWirelessAccessPoints/WGXB102.aspx

[Luke122]

Remember also that if you use a bridge, you have 2 pc's and one Xbox360 sharing a single wifi link, and that be an issue if you have downloads going on the PCs at the same time as an online game on the 360.

Best solution (IMO) is to run a hardwire to the basement, and into a switch. Then you have much more bandwidth to play with, and it's not susceptible to interference or poor signal, etc.

[B1Gtime]

So your saying getting a ---ft cable plugging it into the router upstairs, then in the other end in the basement connect it to a switch and from there plug all the systems/consoles in there,if thats the case i like the idea.

Let me see if my dad likes the idea tho, got so how u feels running a cable thro 2 floors.

What would i need a 50ft, 100ft cable?, and whats the best ethernet cord i can get?

And this is the switch Im looking at if i can make this happen. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127082

[Luke122]

You could probably drop it down a heating conduit if you really needed too.. but chances are there's a path that wouldnt require any drilling through floors, or at least no visible wire. :)

[B1Gtime]

I like the idea thro the heating conduit to bad theres no heating were router is,lol. Ill see if i can find a path. Wat size Cable u think i need? and what Kind do u think i should get?

[Luke122]

Well, you would be using Cat5e, or Cat6 cable. A box of 1000ft of Cat5e is about $140CAD (or less depending on where you go) and there's no way you'd use it all for this project.

Brand is pretty unimportant, but definitely get solid core instead of stranded. Solid core is much easier to work with in my opinion. :)

I have to run cat5e from my upstairs bedroom to my basement so I can connect it into my patch panel (in the utilities room in the basement) so I'll be doing the same thing this weekend. :)

[B1Gtime]

Ok im looking at the switches and cords at the moment

going to ask my dad at dinner.

[SgtM]

I like the idea thro the heating conduit to bad theres no heating were router is,lol. Ill see if i can find a path. Wat size Cable u think i need? and what Kind do u think i should get?

That's a bad idea. It's actually good that you can't do it. Here's why. Even though it's very low heat that flows through the vents, it will eventually dry out the sheathing on the cable. Why? Because all the chemicals that's keeping it soft and maliable are released into the air which you in turn breathe. I'm in the process of re-wiring all the coax in every room in my house because some dumb @s$ decided it would be a good idea to run things this way. Having done A LOT of 2 story cable runs, a cold air return is a MUCH better option. I'm also putting in CAT5 in every room while I'm at it. Pictures of my wiring will be posted in my linux server tut (check my sig).

[B1Gtime]

srry i didn't respond quicker.


My dad wont run the wire i just cant get it in to him that wireless sucks.

So i think im just going with the D-Link Wirelesss Router: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127158

and 3 cards because since my dads buying my dell hes going to need a wireless card, and im going to have my custom built and my sis is getting a new pc. i was looking at this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833315041

i guess if he wants to pay $200 instead of spending less than $100 on a switch and 2 ethernet cords, let him go ahead.

thx for the help guys.

EDIT: and hes got to buy the wireless network adapter for Xbox 360

[Crazy Buddhist]

... so i can pick up wireless internet from upstairs without a --foot ethernet cord going thro 2 floors...

In my experience it's worth going to the trouble of putting that long cable in you know. At the other end of it you can plug in another router, wireless router or switch and have everything connected. Your ping times will always be lower.

It's only two floors to pass through, once as opposed to ... :)

Edit: Just saw yr comment about dad not running wires. Try bribing him. You can also run them out windows and outside, shielded if needs be. I ran one to my neighbour four floors away. it was a 100ft cable.

[B1Gtime]

Great news, my dad says today im going with direct connect in the basement, thx gosh, he just saved some money, i was going to make him buy that $170 D-Link.

thx guys.