[l008com]

Linksys makes this bridge that plugs into an ethernet port and lets you go wireless, without needing a card, and drives for it. It seems like a good idea, but I'm wondering if I can plug it into my hub and let multiple wireless computer share internet off of it?
http://www.linksys.com/products/prod...6&prid=432

[Camelot]

If you follow their site, you'd come across the page http://www.linksys.com/products/disp...32&scid=36 which shows the device connected to a hub with several other computers attached, so yes, it can bridge multiple computers.

Clearly the difference between this and a typical wireless router is this has no DHCP, NAT, port forwarding, etc., it's purely a bridge.

[l008com]

So then the answer is no, it can't route to multiple wireless computers. Which is what the question was. But thats OK because thier popular wired/wireless combo router is actually cheaper than that bridge crap anyway so it doesn't even matter.

[John Strung]

The WET-11 is intended to bridge a wired network (or a single computer) to a wireless network. So assuming that you already have a wireless router of some sort connected to your cable modem, you can connect the WET-11 to a hub and any computer connected to that hub will be able to connect to the wireless router, and through it to the internet.

Does that answer your question?

[BkueKanoodle]

Many time a wireless router is contrary to what one needs. In that case A wireless Access point or bridge is all that is needed. The term Access Point in its strictest definition is nothing more then a wireless bridge. Their are many companies that make these, yes they are usually the same price as a Wireless Router.

This will do what you are looking for.

http://www.linksys.com/Products/prod...57&grid=22

http://www.homenethelp.com/web/revie...cess-point.asp

http://homenethelp.com/web/review/dlink-dwl-1000ap.asp

The original item you posted appears to be nothing more then a signal converter. In that case it too will do the job. However I think you would get better performance from a wireless bridge as the chipsets are better tuned and designed for multiple computers.

[John Strung]

I have the impression that people are misunderstanding what the WET-11 does. A wireless access point or router basically is a wireless server which connects multiple wireless clients to an ethernet network.

The WET-11 is the exact opposite. It is a wireless client that connects multiple wired computers to a wireless server. It is dandy device for what it does.

For instance, you could have a cable modem and a wireless router in your basement and run cables around your basement for use by wired clients. If you don't want to run cables between floors, you could put a WET 11 on the first floor and run cables around the first floor.

You would then have two separate wired LANS, one in the basement and one in the first floor, with the two wired LANS connect by the combination of the wireless router or wireless access point in the basement and the WET-11 on the first floor.

The WET-11 can also be used in place of an Airport card in older Macs which won't accept Airport cards. For instance, the WET-11 can be used to connect a tray loading iMac to a wireless network.

It can also be used to connect almost any ethernet capable devices, like some gaming boxes, to a wireless network.

The important thing to appreciate is that the wireless capability of the WET-11 is a client capability, not a server capability. Basically it is an external wireless NIC.

[BkueKanoodle]

Originally posted by John Strung:
I have the impression that people are misunderstanding what the WET-11 does. A wireless access point or router basically is a wireless server which connects multiple wireless clients to an ethernet network.

The WET-11 is the exact opposite. It is a wireless client that connects multiple wired computers to a wireless server. It is dandy device for what it does.

For instance, you could have a cable modem and a wireless router in your basement and run cables around your basement for use by wired clients. If you don't want to run cables between floors, you could put a WET 11 on the first floor and run cables around the first floor.

You would then have two separate wired LANS, one in the basement and one in the first floor, with the two wired LANS connect by the combination of the wireless router or wireless access point in the basement and the WET-11 on the first floor.

The WET-11 can also be used in place of an Airport card in older Macs which won't accept Airport cards. For instance, the WET-11 can be used to connect a tray loading iMac to a wireless network.

It can also be used to connect almost any ethernet capable devices, like some gaming boxes, to a wireless network.

The important thing to appreciate is that the wireless capability of the WET-11 is a client capability, not a server capability. Basically it is an external wireless NIC.

Exactly, it is a wireless bridge or a signal converter. It takes the packets of of one physical medium and converts it another type. This device would function at the Physical layer and is independent of any other higher level services, such as TCP/IP, DHCP, Routing Functions, etc

[John Strung]

This device would function at the Physical layer and is independent of any other higher level services, such as TCP/IP, DHCP, Routing Functions, etc [/B]

Actually, I don't think that is quite so. It will handle TCP/IP, but from reports I have seen elsewhere, I am almost certain it will not pass AppleTalk. See for instance: This Thread

[BigDaddy]

I use one for my X Box and it works great.

[BkueKanoodle]

Originally posted by John Strung:
Actually, I don't think that is quite so. It will handle TCP/IP, but from reports I have seen elsewhere, I am almost certain it will not pass AppleTalk. See for instance: This Thread

Hmm, I guess your right. I guess Linksys marketing is playing fast and loose with Standard Networking terminology. Bastards.

[John Strung]

They are not alone. There are a lot of 802.11b devices (in fact probably the majority) which appear to support only TCP/IP. See for instance the discussion at:


http://www.macintouch.com/wirelesslanreader13.html