Setting up wireless network?

Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction. Currently I have a desktop PC with a wired modem broadband connection, and a wired LAN connection to my girlfriend's laptop.

We want to go wireless, but we want for either computer to be able to connect to the internet without needing the other computer on. We also want to share files and play games against each other.

Can someone point me to a good tutorial which takes that into consideration? Also, can anyone recommend a good router and modem? I'm sure some must be better than others in terms of transfer speed, ease of use, signal range etc.

I've set up wireless networks using D-link and Netgear ADSL routers in the past. I wouldn't really say that one was any more difficult than the other.

You can get either 54 or 108mbps. I'd go for 108mbps *only* if you plan on doing a lot of PC to PC file transfers. Otherwise, 54mbps is fine. I use a D-link 54mbps router and wireless adapter on an 8mb connection without any problems - I typically get a transfer rate of about 1mb/sec when copying files from one PC to another.

Oh, and don't get an 802.11b router/wireless adapter just because its cheaper than an 802.11g router - its FAR slower.

[edit] Forgot to mention - avoid Edimax hardware. It has no range at all.

You need a wireless router.
I'm using a NetGear DG834GT: it works like a 'normal' router and like an 'access point' for the WI-FI standard devices.
The NetGear of course is an ADSL modem, so only this is one is physically wired to the net (well it supports as router 4 connections for other computers/hd/printers), the rest is on Wi-Fi (2 computer at the moment).
The real speed on wi-fi is another story: it depens on the distance from the access point, from walls or other obstacles and so on...

[edit --- too late!]

Yeah, plus 802.11b is getting very obsolete very quick. I believe that Vista requires the 802.11g wireless connection for the full effect (that's next year). Now, I also hear that 802.11n is right around the corner, or whatever else that is. It'll be far superior, just better hope it won't be too expensive, tho...

Apart from the wireless router you need adapters for the pc's/laptop's. Some ISP's give you a wireless router and adapter when you subscribe but they are usually rubbish.

Range depends on the structure of your dwelling - lots of metal isn't good, neither is lots of stone like you might find in, say Cornwall. The nearer to the router the PC is then the better the signal. The more direct the route between PC and router the better the signal. The more walls directly between the PC and the router the more the signal will degrade - however, many materials reflect radio very well and often direct line of sight between routers and PC's is not a neccesity.

Setting it up can be a little tricky if you haven't done it before, but once you've done one you've pretty much done them all.

It is important to disable "WAN ping". This means that your router will ignore a ping (pinging is a method by which a hacker can identify populated IP addresses). It is also important to enable signal encryption so that other people cannot piggy back their PC's onto the internet via your router and also read any files shared on your network). Test your security by visiting a website that offers security testing. Do a google on `Shields Up` to find out some more. You may wish to add a second protocol (IPX/SPX) for windows file sharing and then disable sharing and Netbios via TCP/IP which makes it harder for a hacker to compromise your network.

Wireless routers rarely achieve the speeds that the manufacturers claims as that is a function of signal strength to noise. Some PC's are electrically very noisy and other electrical equipment can impose interference. For this reason get a router that allows wired connections as well as radio. That way you can test connectivity and more easily get a PC onto the internet in case of transmission faults or simple restores.

I've recommend Netgear over Belkin with regards range. If finance allows then go for a professional router rather than the home variety as they are better constructed and provide a wider, more constant radio coverage.

I went for a Belkin 54G, because of the automatic setup. Everyone told me it was easy anyway, but I see so many people having problems with it in our tech support chats that I decided to play safe. With the Belkin it was a case of insert cd, follow instructions, done. Literally done in three minutes with no technical knowledge required whatsoever.

I then went back in and set up security, MAC addy filtering, etc so I could connect my PSP without opening up my connection to the neighbourhood. But I really liked having the automatic setup there when I need it and the more technical stuff still available when you want it.

I use a 3Com OfficeConnect wireless router. Bloody excellent. It has a range of about 300m, which means it reaches anywhere in the house, regardless of ammount of concrete and H-bars in the way.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/tech-data/B0002LHXB6/ref=dp_nav_0/026-3328634-8298037?ie=UTF8&n=560798&s=electronics

What about this one? I looked at some Netgear and Belkin ones, but the reviews were really mixed. It seems I can connect my desktop PC via a wire to make the connection stable, then my girlfriend's laptop can connect via the wireless. Is that right?

Yes. That's what I do with my Belkin. You can do that with any router which has an integrated switch ( as the specs say that one does. )

Been using a LinkSys 2.4ghz 801.22g wireless router here for some time, works a treat

Aside from what's already been mentioned above, I'd reccomend looking up setting an encryption key (like WEP or WPA encryption) when you do get the hardware installed/working.

Nothing like strangers (like me!, nothin like surfin the net on my PSP while waitin on somethin when I'm in town >.>) who happen by your house cant just leach off your wireless signal, which can be a problem if you live in a town on limited bandwidth....

They're fairly easy to setup if other companies have as simple an interface as my LinkSys one here, select security mode (I be using WEP here since my friggen DSLite doesn't support the more secure WPA), have the thing generate a key, and use said key on your systems so they can connect.



Now a Q I gotta ask ;/, how large is the average radius on these routers? Because I really wasn't expecting my PSP to still reach my router from outside the house and halfway down my driveway (livin' on a farm here, so big drive-way)...,..

410 feet is the longest range I've seen. Divide by three for meters.