WLAN help urgently needed.

[Az]

Hi there,

I currently have:

1 ADSL modem.
1 802.11g router
1 802.11b USB stick
1 ancient desktop PC with a LAN card
1 hub/switch/whatever
1 Laptop with 802.11g built-in.

What kind of network would you recommend, and how the **** do I even begin?

/me feels very old, not being able to cope with this ****.

[:) Smiley]

What sort of building is this network designed to cover?

[Urban Ranger]

I recommend you using the 802.11g because of better security.

1. Connect the router to cable modem.
2. Connect PC to router via LAN. Point browser at router to configure it.
3. Configure notebook to use the network.
4. Done. Get drunk

[Az]

Smiley : a 100m^2 appartment.


UR:

I see you recommend that I ditch the 11b USB stick. I was pondering the same - but that means I am going to have to use the switch or hub or whatever it's called ( the one with the 8 LAN cable access points in the back - and that means I am going to have to go shopping for cables, now. ( which is ok, but It's a decision to make )

How come?

I cannot connect PC to router via regular LAN. the router has only one wire access point - and that goes to the ADSL modem.

Another problem - I have no idea what the router's IP is. ( no guide book ). I am trying to find it online - but it's a *****, it's an unbranded product. I only have an FCC license ID.

[Mr. Harley]

Az - if you have Broadband, your IP address is whatever the ISP reserved for it (dial-up is assigned from a pool reserved for each ISP). So find out what your IP address was before connecting up the router - that is what you will have to assign to the router after the fact, unless it auto-configures.

[Az]

I don't think so, Mr. Harley ( can we still call you by your name? ) these are different IPs - the internet IP, and the LAN IP. plus, my IP is dynamic, since I used my internal modem prior to that.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Az
I see you recommend that I ditch the 11b USB stick. I was pondering the same - but that means I am going to have to use the switch or hub or whatever it's called ( the one with the 8 LAN cable access points in the back - and that means I am going to have to go shopping for cables, now. ( which is ok, but It's a decision to make )

I am not sure what the stick is, actually

Originally posted by Az
How come?

802.11g has WPA encryption, which is better than WEP that comes with 802.11b.

Originally posted by Az
I cannot connect PC to router via regular LAN. the router has only one wire access point - and that goes to the ADSL modem.

Oh. Try use wireless access then.

Originally posted by Az
Another problem - I have no idea what the router's IP is. ( no guide book ). I am trying to find it online - but it's a *****, it's an unbranded product. I only have an FCC license ID.

Usually it's defaulted to something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1.

[Mr. Harley]

Thanks UR - I didn't realize he was talking the IP routers internal network address.

Yes, you can call me by the first name only - and since Apolyton is in Greece, I'm not that worried about US style harrassment subpeona's.

[Az]

I am not sure what the stick is, actually

a USB WiFi Antenna.

802.11g has WPA encryption, which is better than WEP that comes with 802.11b.

I know it, i was trying to explain why won't your scheme work.

Oh. Try use wireless access then.

Is there a way to make a hybrid of a wired LAN and wireless LAN through the hub?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Az
a USB WiFi Antenna.

Oh. It's pretty useless unless you can connect it to something.

Originally posted by Az
Is there a way to make a hybrid of a wired LAN and wireless LAN through the hub?

If your hub/switch accepts both wired and wireless connections, yes.

By the way does that thing have a serial connection?

[Provost Harrison]

802.11g...not quite a whole kilogram is it?

[Az]

Oh. It's pretty useless unless you can connect it to something.

As I've said, I have a wireless router, besides the switch.

If your hub/switch accepts both wired and wireless connections, yes.

I have no idea. I think it has only wired connections - but can't I connect it to the router, and to the wireless router / hotspot?

[Pekka]

I thought wireless connections were BANNED in ISRAEL.

THis has changed?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Az
I have no idea. I think it has only wired connections - but can't I connect it to the router, and to the wireless router / hotspot?

Oh, okay. So you have a switch/router combo (I am assuming it's one of these instead of a stright switch) and a wireless access point.

Okay, in this case, connect your switch to the cable modem and the access point to the switch. That way you can have wired connections directly to the switch and wireless connections via the AP.

Usally access points are to be connected to an Ethernet network instead of directly to a cable/DSL modem.

Does your AP have a connection (usually BNC) for the aerial?

[SpencerH]

A couple of points

You dont need the switch unless:

1) you wire up the apartment AND
2) the distance from the modem -> router -> PC is too far then you'd need modem -> router -> switch -> PC
(which is what I have in my house)

The other consideration is siting. If the wireless router is on one side of the apartment and the PC with usb stick is on the other (and through walls) you wont get good speeds (OTOH a 802.11b stick is gonna slow you down anyway if you have decent DSL).