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mike one · Sep 16, 2003, 01:32 PM

i'm about to get dsl.
2 computers are going to be attched to the router they provide via hardwires.

one of the computers is a beige g3 450MHz, and rather than get a wireless router, would it be a good idea to install a wireless card in this comp and use it as a base station?

would be connecting to it from two laptops.
is it more/less secure than an asante (for example) wireless router?

or would it just be better to get some other wireless access point, like another router, or something else (what i'm not sure...

as always, thanks in advance.

kampl · Sep 16, 2003, 10:12 PM

From a price standpoint, using an inhouse Mac is a fine idea for Internet connection sharing. From a security standpoint, I have yet to use a machine dedicated or partially dedicated to connection sharing for wireless connectivity to the Internet. With that, I am assuming it has all the same security functions as a regular SOHO router for "securing" a home wireless connection. Any users doing the same thing?

aaanorton · Sep 16, 2003, 10:44 PM

Originally posted by kampl:
From a price standpoint, using an inhouse Mac is a fine idea for Internet connection sharing.

Actually, if you have to go out and buy an Airport card to act as a s/w base station, it'd be more economically sound to just buy a wireless router instead. And it would be more secure, convenient and reliable. Always, always, always go with a router over s/w base.

kennedy · Sep 16, 2003, 11:26 PM

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Actually, if you have to go out and buy an Airport card to act as a s/w base station, it'd be more economically sound to just buy a wireless router instead. And it would be more secure, convenient and reliable. Always, always, always go with a router over s/w base.

I'll second that.

kampl · Sep 17, 2003, 05:23 PM

I guess I have too much spare hardware sitting around.

mike one · Sep 19, 2003, 05:54 AM

just ordered that router from amazon.
$20 rebate, 5% off with my credit card, free shipping. toal ~31$. crazy!

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Actually, if you have to go out and buy an Airport card to act as a s/w base station, it'd be more economically sound to just buy a wireless router instead. And it would be more secure, convenient and reliable. Always, always, always go with a router over s/w base.

hayesk · Sep 19, 2003, 12:33 PM

If you already have the router and were planning on leaving the host computer on all day anyway, yes, go with the airport card with s/w base station.

Just remember to turn on encryption, and only allow your PowerBook's airport MAC address to connect. Also, turn the firewall on the host mac on. Make the network a closed network too - that'll keep out casual snoopers.

ghporter · Sep 20, 2003, 08:40 AM

A better idea is to get a wireless access point and connect that to your (ISP supplied) router. You can find access points for less than the cost of an AirPort card. You don't need to go with Asante' or any other, known to be "Mac friendly" brand, because just about all of the available products use a browser-based configuration that is completely platform independent.

Advantages: lower cost, easier to upgrade later, pretty much set-and-forget.

Disadvantages: another box to connect, sometimes there's a hassle getting WEP set up correctly, design of the box won't match your extensive Apple hardware collection (/sarcasm )