Wireless networking options

I bought this laptop and it has wifi built in so of course I have to get wifi so I can try it right

Right now I have a regular wired linksys router. Does anyone know is there a device that would connect to a ethernet jack on the router and let me access it using wifi or do I have to just get a new router with it built in.

I have found external devices like this that connect to the ethernet on a pc to connect it to a wireless network but I don't know if that would work if connected to the router.

All routers and hubs can be "daisy-chained". All of the wireless access points you can buy will have an ethernet jack and will connect to your existing hubs/routers. You don't need to replace the one you've got.

The only thing you might have to do is make sure you're using the right kind of cable for the connection: either straight-thru or crossover, depending on the port configurations. Many routers have a crossover switch, or can auto-detect the need for crossover and do it automatically, so that shouldn't be a problem.

What you need is a wireless access point. I have a few of these and they seem to be the best out of any I've tried.

As far as Linksys goes, their most popular access point is the WAP11. If you want your router and AP to match (physically), get that one. There is no reason you can't use another brand though. I had one WAP11 die on me once.

So I can connect that to the router. The description made it sound like I should hook it to a pc or would it work either way.

The SMC unit I linked definitely goes into the router only. If you want, I could post a pic of one of mine hooked up to a router in my parent's house.

The Linksys WAP11 has the ability to act as a wireless client which would then be hooked into your PC. However, its main function is to be an access point (getting plugged into a router). Could that be where the confusion is coming from?

The real confusion stems from the fact that almost all acess points are integrated into routers and it's frequently cheaper to buy a router with an AP built in than it is to buy an access point. That being said, it's more verstaile, as you can more the AP anywhere on the network to get better reception, and you can replce things seperatly(the whole a/b/g debate). Once you have a wireless laptop you won't be able to do without it, so don't hesitate to buy something. I recently picked up a pair of Belkin APs for $20 each durring one of their refurbished specials, and they work great. Unfortunatly it doesn't look like they have any at the moment.

Matthew

I just wanted to verify. That is just what I was looking for.

Since we're on the subject of WAPs I thought I'd point out this. I bought a few and so did my company. I like the feature-set better than the Linksys and D-link WAPs I have. The Adaptec allows for filtering by MAC address, and allows you to just add the MAC addresses you wish to allow to a sort of ACL, so it adds another layer of security over the WEP, etc. Plus, there is a setting to not broadcast the SSID, which is nice as well. Neither my Linksys, or the D-Link have any of these features. I think these should be standard on all WAPs.

Linksys WAP11 has the ability to act as a wireless client

But only to other Linksys WAP11 devices. It (at least the v2.2 WAP11) will not work with anything else -- including other Linksys equipment.

I spent most of an evening last week trying to get my WAP11 into client mode with my (newly-purchased) Linksys WRT54G. It won't.

If you're planning on hooking an existing PC to a wireless network, look at the WET11 or WUSB11, or other manufacturers' equivalents.

Amusingly enough, disabling SSID broadcast under 802.11 results in more packets containing the SSID being broadcast. It does not give you any extra security, so it is best not to think of it as an extra protective layer.

some info here

I bought a few and so did my company.

Ricin, how does that adaptec work? I want to get one at home and that seems to fit the bill for what I want. I don't need anything expensive so it would be great. Are there any downsides that you have seen so far?

Interesting, I didn't know all those details. It isn't something I use personally, as I don't really see a reason for it with the ACL and WEP, I was just pointing out that it is another thing that the Linksys and D-Link I have don't do. However, I will definitely NOT be using it any time in the future as well after reading that.

Ricin, how does that adaptec work?

Works great, I haven't had any problems with the one I use at work, or the few we have depolyed to some of our stores. It is actually going to become part of a wireless roll-out we are doing over the next few months.

Are there any downsides that you have seen so far?

None that I've found. It is a very good unit for the cost. The version above that with the 4 port 10/100 switch was available a few weeks ago for just $15 more or so, but I believe that was a one time fire-sale type deal, as I don't see them on the site any more.