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DesignerTerp · Aug 13, 2003, 12:31 PM

Hi!
My new roommates both have PC laptops and I have an iBook. I have a D-Link wireless/router that I've been using at home with my dad's desktop PC.
I want to hook up the three laptops to the D-Link so we can share the cable modem connection. My first question is, what type of wireless card to my roommates need to get? Does it have to be D-Link? Does it matter?
My second question is, will this set-up work with no desktop computer (just three laptops)? Probably a stupid question, but I don't know!

I just need to know what type of wireless card for them to get (if it matters--I'm clueless regarding Windows machines now).
Thanks!!

poulh · Aug 13, 2003, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by DesignerTerp:
My first question is, what type of wireless card do my roommates need to get?

Since they have laptops they need to get any 802.11 b or g card.

Does it have to be D-Link? Does it matter?

No, the brand does not matter. Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, Adaptec. As long as it 'speaks' the 802.11 b or g language.

My second question is, will this set-up work with no desktop computer (just three laptops)? Probably a stupid question, but I don't know!

No, you don't need the desktop. The DLink router sees your desktop the same way it sees your laptops. You should be all set.

What I think you are getting confused on is that some people use a computer instead of buying a cable/dsl router. Since this computer has to be on at all times to act like a router and also has to have two ethernet ports, a desktop computer is usually used, but is not necessarily needed.

DesignerTerp · Aug 13, 2003, 12:42 PM

Thanks!!!
You rock!

DesignerTerp · Aug 13, 2003, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by poulh:
Since they have laptops they need to get any 802.11 b or g card.

No, the brand does not matter. Linksys, Netgear, D-Link, Adaptec. As long as it 'speaks' the 802.11 b or g language.

No, you don't need the desktop. The DLink router sees your desktop the same way it sees your laptops. You should be all set.

What I think you are getting confused on is that some people use a computer instead of buying a cable/dsl router. Since this computer has to be on at all times to act like a router and also has to have two ethernet ports, a desktop computer is usually used, but is not necessarily needed.

Ooh one more question--is the wireless card = ethernet card? So all I need to tell them to get is a wireless card 802.11b or 802.11g?
Thanks again

poulh · Aug 13, 2003, 12:57 PM

They need to get something like this...

a netgear wireless card for pc laptops

DesignerTerp · Aug 13, 2003, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by poulh:
They need to get something like this...

a netgear wireless card for pc laptops

Ok. So they can get either b or g, even tho I have b? The router is g. Thank you!!!

poulh · Aug 13, 2003, 01:06 PM

yes, b and g both work on the same network. if one item (by item i mean either the card or the router) is b and the other is g, then the g item will speak to the other in the b language.

so if one of your buds buys a g card and you have a g router, he will be speaking g, but you will be speaking b.

however this doesn't matter because the speed of your cable/dsl line is slower than both b and g so your speed onto the internet will be the same.

if a few of you had g cards, the speed difference would be seen when you are transferring files between one another, but not over the internet.

DesignerTerp · Aug 13, 2003, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by poulh:
yes, b and g both work on the same network. if one item (by item i mean either the card or the router) is b and the other is g, then the g item will speak to the other in the b language.

so if one of your buds buys a g card and you have a g router, he will be speaking g, but you will be speaking b.

however this doesn't matter because the speed of your cable/dsl line is slower than both b and g so your speed onto the internet will be the same.

if a few of you had g cards, the speed difference would be seen when you are transferring files between one another, but not over the internet.

Awesome! Thank you for all your help.

aaanorton · Aug 13, 2003, 03:28 PM

Actually, once ANY 802.11b device exists on a network, ALL the other devices ramp down to .11b to accommodate. So you can't have some connections running at g speeds and some at b speeds. The PCs can still use g cards, but they'll cost more and will only operate at b speeds while your iBook is on the LAN.