O/T Wireless networking

[The Great Fandango]

Got to ask yourself the question, do you trust SWMBO and others with your files!?!

I have 20 years's worth of music constantly mirrored on  two 750Gb external hard drives. Would I want anyone messing with 'em?!?

The world of wireless is a tricky one. The trouble is there's so much to think about.

1. The Wireless Router. Yes I would only buy a 'LinkSys' or 'Netgear'.

2. Wireless Cards (for laptop or desktop PC). Again, buy to match the make. Try to avoid the USB route. Opt for the proper PCI (desktop) / PCMCIA (laptop) cards.

3. Setting up the wireless router. You will always first have to plug one of your computers directly into the router via a network cable. It can always be taken out later to become wirelessly connected (I actually have one of my PCs permanently plugged into the wireless router. In this case, it's simply not used wirelessly).

You then typically...

(i) create a new wireless network signal with a broadcast name (SSID). In the blink of an eye this will be done, but it's not secure a this point!

(ii) Apply encryption by means of a password to the SSID (known as a WEP key). I've found some wireless routers easier that others to do this. Linksys being relatively easy. This is your first form of defence agianst unwanted people using your network.

(iii) To add further security (this is highly recommended by many IT boffs, add the MAC addresses of all your computers to the MAC address filter of your router. If anyone guesses your WEP key, the router still won't let them join your network (down side being that if a friend comes round with their laptop you'll need to add their MAC address to your filter list even though you've given them your WEP password).

For the average home PC enthusiast, sharing files across a wireless network can be done in two ways...

1. Set up 'file sharing' using Windows XP's own home network wizard. Quite intuitive but it's been know to let me down a few times. You can simply add and remove share rights to individual folders.

2. Buy yourself one of these new networked external hard drives (similar to a USB hardrive). These plug into your wireless router via a network cable and allow all computers in the network to access the files. Not much setup involved.

Printing:

Three options:

1. Bluetooth or wireless printer - becoming more common.

2. Keep the printer plugged into one of your computers and enable printer sharing form Windows XP (of course the computer it is plugged into needs to be kept switched on)

3. Buy a printer hub/host (whatever you call it?). There are various versions available including wireless ones now. These can join your network (either wirelessly or by cable) just as if it was a computer. The hub then controls the prints jobs to the printer.

Hope this is some help?

Best regards

Kyle

[Lurksalot]

another vote for the Netgear - mine is sky badged but still works well.

They all seem to need a reboot once a fortnight to get them working reliably though

I have been told that each time you hook up to the exchange you get a faster link , therefore if you leave your hub on all the time you get lower i n the priority , if you unplug once in a while you get a better speed .

Ive no idea if it's true but if I do seem to be getting slow I turn of the power  for a few secs and then let it hook up again ... it seems to help ......

but it may be complete b*****ks