Best way to network house?

**LeftCoast** · August 2nd, 2004, 02:14 AM

That Netgear router has a firewall (I think most, if not all, will), and for $20, your search is over...

Not sure on the "single floor" thing, but I'd be surprised if it didn't work. Still, by the time you run the wire and get NIC cards (if your computers don't already have them), you're looking at a lot of work (threading wire is a PITA) to not save that much $$$.

You can go to www.cnet.com to get ratings on most computer products. TechIMO's sister site, www.resellerratings.com should be able to help in that respect as well. People will have their differing opinions, but most routers have firmware updates that take care of any issues that have popped-up since it's initial release.

**John Prophet** · August 2nd, 2004, 05:29 PM

price drop at amazon

www.techbargains.com

Netgear Wireless Router $17.94, Aug 2
$2 drop. Amazon has the Netgear MR814 802.11b Wireless 4-Port Cable/DSL Router for a low $17.94 after rebate, free shipping. (Thanks Steve)

$3 drop. Netgear WMB521 Wireless-B Router and PC Card Kit $26.64 After Rebate, free shipping. Model numbers included are MR814 router and MA521 PC Card.

$20 rebate Exp 9/30/04

**Starfury_2260** · August 3rd, 2004, 01:27 AM

Well okay I think I'll see about getting that Netgear kit. What about desktop wireless cards though? They are expensive on Amazon. I'll have to have 3 of them.

**LeftCoast** · August 3rd, 2004, 02:27 AM

Get this one, (kit with pci card/router), then you'll only need two more pci cards. Laptop cards are very cheap, like $10 AR. Do a search of the forums using "deal sites". to get many sites, with links. ( www.slickdeals.net , www.ableshoppers.com , www.spoofee.com , www.computerlandcentral.com , www.crocodeals.com , www.fatwallet.com )

$3 drop. Netgear WMB521 Wireless-B Router and PC Card Kit $26.64 After Rebate, free shipping. Model numbers included are MR814 router and MA521 PC Card.

**Starfury_2260** · August 3rd, 2004, 03:25 PM

the wmb521 is a LAPTOP card and router. not pci.

**John Prophet** · August 3rd, 2004, 03:42 PM

sometimes you can find the little usb wireless deals for pretty cheap with rebates

**GroundZero3** · August 3rd, 2004, 03:46 PM

www.salescircular.com

that site will give you local deals on computer hardware. You can find cheap wireless/wired deals on it.

You can mix brands together

i.e linksys router with a dlink card. dont think you have to have a dlink router and a dlink card. Just make the card says wifi compatible.

**DVNT1** · August 3rd, 2004, 04:02 PM

one important question needs answered... is it a two-way satellite service? If so, you should be able to use a common broadband router. If not, then the common router will not work since you have to upload via your phone line but receive via the satellite connection.

As for networking your house, best way (least problems, least cost, best performance) is wired connections. Wireless just gives you more mobility but potentially more problems too.

**Starfury_2260** · August 3rd, 2004, 04:17 PM

yes it is 2 way

I'm trying to see if my father wants to network the computers with just regular wires.
I wonder where you can get the wall plates for network connections. I doubt it'd be difficult for him but it's getting him started on it thats difficult

**DVNT1** · August 3rd, 2004, 04:22 PM

Local Lowe's or HomeDepot type of store will have what you need. You can also go the online route like http://www.cyberguys.com (search on wall "plate")

**DVNT1** · August 3rd, 2004, 04:26 PM

In relation to an earlier question, you can normally run pvc cable through the walls and not need the plenum cable. As johnp mentioned before, plenum is designed to comply with building codes that try to reduce toxic fumes (during a fire) from getting circulated via HVAC system.

**LeftCoast** · August 3rd, 2004, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by Starfury_2260

the wmb521 is a LAPTOP card and router. not pci.

My bad, but still worth the $10, as you spoke of a laptop needing connection.

**Starfury_2260** · August 4th, 2004, 01:08 AM

I'm thinking maybe I could get that wireless kit, and a wireless switch or something (possible to have something that connects wirelessly to router?). Then hook the router up to the satellite modem and put the wireless switch on whichever floor the router isn't, then just run 2 cables (one per floor) to the computer on each floor not near the router or switch. After that all I'll need is a NIC for the one system that doesn't have one.

**DVNT1** · August 4th, 2004, 07:34 AM

That should work starfury. The wireless may even be able to cover the 1st floor if it resides on the 2nd.

**VHockey86** · August 4th, 2004, 07:42 AM

Just kinda skimmed the thread so I appologize if someone mentioned this earlier, but are you sure a router is going to work for him?
Any satelite internet service Ive looked into (Direcway or Starband) have both had USB-only modems. Although its been a year or so since I looked into getting either one (dsl finally became availabe in my area last summer) so hopefully its changed since then.

Otherwise it would mean he'd have to setup an additional computer between the modem and a router to serve essentially as a bridge between the 2 networks/interfaces

----edit---
I guess I was mistaken,
Check DirecWay and they have modems with ethernet now =)

Just outta curiosity what service are you getting?

**Starfury_2260** · August 4th, 2004, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by VHockey86

Just kinda skimmed the thread so I appologize if someone mentioned this earlier, but are you sure a router is going to work for him?
Any satelite internet service Ive looked into (Direcway or Starband) have both had USB-only modems. Although its been a year or so since I looked into getting either one (dsl finally became availabe in my area last summer) so hopefully its changed since then.

Otherwise it would mean he'd have to setup an additional computer between the modem and a router to serve essentially as a bridge between the 2 networks/interfaces

----edit---
I guess I was mistaken,
Check DirecWay and they have modems with ethernet now =)

Just outta curiosity what service are you getting?

Direcway. The only other one is starband which costs even more, and still has a usb interface I think.

**Starfury_2260** · August 5th, 2004, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by DVNT1

That should work starfury. The wireless may even be able to cover the 1st floor if it resides on the 2nd.

What do they call the device that provides network jacks and connects wirelessly to a router though? Is it a WAP? Those seem to be just for making wireless access to a wired network, not wired access to a wireless network.

**Siliconjunkie** · August 5th, 2004, 03:37 PM

Those seem to be just for making wireless access to a wired network, not wired access to a wireless network.

If it does one, it does the other. They are not a one way street. WAP is the way to go between wired and wireless.

**joe146299** · August 11th, 2004, 01:48 AM

I have starband with a 360 modem it comes with usb and ethernet connections
I bought a I think is a 8 port Linksys switch and 3 computers with Nic's on them

I want to share the internet but can someone else help me please if I need more hardware or software
I'm kind of new on networking so all the feed back is appreciated

**LeftCoast** · August 11th, 2004, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by joe146299

I have starband with a 360 modem it comes with usb and ethernet connections
I bought a I think is a 8 port Linksys switch and 3 computers with Nic's on them

I want to share the internet but can someone else help me please if I need more hardware or software
I'm kind of new on networking so all the feed back is appreciated

Welcome to Techimo, Joe!

You should start another thread, in networking. List all equipment, computers to be networked, OSs, goals, etc. Be specific.