setting up cheap wireless network 1

[psychoplop]

Hi,

I want to set up a cheap wireless network. I have a portable from work, which has a built-in wireless lan (802.11b) and bluetooth. It's an Acer Travelmate 803.

At home I have a workstation which is connected to the internet through an ADSL-connection with an Alcatel USB modem.

I'd like to create a little network and I wonder if it would be possible to connect an USB wireless adapter or an USB bluetooth adapter to the workstation and be able to surf along the net with my portable.

The big pc at the first floor would be working as a server and the portable in the living room (groundfloor) as the client.

Is this possible and would you suggest using Bluetooth (100m) or Wireless Lan through USB.

My budget is €40.

Psycho

visit my website at

http://www.wannes.tk

for info on linux, webdesign and music

 

[volleyman]

wireless doesn't work that way. you need to have an access point with a radio to broadcast the signal. You'll need something like a Linksys or D-Link brand small wireless router. They sell for about US $200.

After you obtain the router, you can use a USB wireless network card on your PC.

 

[psychoplop]

OK, so I need an access point and something to broadcast.

I read somewhere that when I connect my pc to a switch and connect the switch to an access point, It would be the same. (I have a mentor 4-port switch in my possession).

Is that true?

Psycho

visit my website at

http://www.wannes.tk

for info on linux, webdesign and music

 

[dougyt]

I have used both a wireless router (my current configuration) and previously used a switch connected to a WAP and both worked fine, and weren't too difficult to setup. I have 3 pc's connected via wireless, all using the usb pen drive style wireless adaptors. All work ok at 11b speeds. Simple wireless network. And search Ebay for the parts to build, as there are a lot of used 11b parts to be had as people upgrade to 11g.

 

[bcastner]

You can do this without an Access Point. You create a network bridge between the ethernet adapter hosting the ADSL modem, and the wireless adapter in AdHoc mode. You then enable ICS on this machine:

http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q309640

Make sure the adapter is placed in promiscuous mode:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302348

 

[psychoplop]

OK,

just to make sure since I connect through an USB modem. In the network settings, I'll make a bridge between the Alcatel Speedtouch USB and the USB bluetooth stick I'll buy.

In my portable I'll enable the built-in Wireless Lan card.

Then just set-up the LAN through ICS.

Seems pretty cool and unexpensive. How come so few people use it?

Psycho

visit my website at

http://www.wannes.tk

for info on linux, webdesign and music