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Wireless Networking Reviews
This page provides links to all my wireless networking reviews.
I have done a couple of pages on wireless networking to help you get to grips
with this useful technology.
If you're looking at adding a high speed Internet connection,
then DSL or cable modem is the way to go. Depending on where you live you may
have access to both options. DSL of course is dependent on the distance from you
to the exchange, while cable modem is dependent on your cable TV provider
offering such a service.
In either case simply call your phone or cable provider for
details on their services.
The advantage of this type of high speed connection is that you
can share your DSL/ cable modem connection across several computers. To do this
you need a DSL/ cable modem router. This page is all about the current range of
wireless routers which allow you to share an Internet connection without having
any bulky network cables around your house.
At home I have a DSL modem attached to a separate wireless
router. My DSL modem and computers simply plug into the wireless router. My
laptop has a wireless card which allows it to share the DSL Internet connection
with my desktop PC.
I have to admit D-link has currently got the strongest range of
wireless networking products. The main advantages of D-Link wireless stuff is
that for the same price you get twice the data rate.
All the other cheap wireless gear use 11Mbs (megabits per
second) while D-Link gear supports 22 Mbs. D-Link is also slightly cheaper than
most other brands, they have been around a while and their gear is reliable.
The 22 Mbs is the peak data transfer rate of the wireless
network. In the real world 11 Mbs equates to about 300Kbs (1/3 megabyte per
second) while D-Link gear will do around 500 Kbs (1/2 megabyte per second).
The one catch is to get this higher speed you must use a D-Link
wireless router and D-Link wireless network cards in your laptop or PC. The good
news is that D-Link wireless network cards are no more expensive than cards by
other manufacturers.
Have a look at this example: A D-Link 54Mbps wireless router.
The 54 Mbps is very fast and will give you about half the speed of a 100Mbps
regular wired network connection. US Robotics, Linksys and D-Links are all good
brands with comparable products and any will do depending on what good deals
there are at the time.
You will also need wireless network cards in each of your
computers. You need small PC cards for laptops. I recommedn getting a dual band
card even though you only plan on using the B band 2.4 Ghz router. Dual band PC
cards have much better range than single band B cards.
For desktop computers you should get a high speed 54Mdps
wireless PCI network card
The advantages of wireless networking
Carrying out a neat installation using Ethernet cables to
connect computers to a DSL/ cable modem router is often quite annoying. Most
people don't want cables traced throughout their home and it is beyond my
abilities at home DIY to conceal them in an effective way.
A wireless network means that you do not need to run cables all
over your house connecting the computers to the router. If you ever have to move
then your wireless router just packs up with you and is as easy to install in
your next place.
It is quite common however for people to use a mix of wired and
wireless solutions on their home networks. This is what I do. It is possible as
almost all wireless routers also have 4 normal network ports to add wired
computers to the network.
If you already have a home network the a wireless router is the
cheapest way to add wireless connections.
A wireless router can act as an access point that provides you
pretty much what it implies, a wireless connection to your wired network.
If you have a laptop computer like me then wireless networking
is ideal. You can connect to your high speed Internet connection in bed or
outside your house.
It only takes a couple of hours to set up a wireless network in
your home. |
Screen Reading Software( can read text directly from the computer screen)
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