[Maflynn]

I would like to setup a wireless network and to date I'm choosing between linksys and the airport base station.
My needs include printer sharing and hooking up a non wireless pc. After looking at configuration issues with the linksys and the cost needed for the wireless-g printer server, I found the cost pretty close to Apple's ABS.

Are there any advantages with the linksys that I'm not seeing. The the wired pc will need access to net via the router and its running win98 - eventually it will have winxp.

thoughts and opinions?
Mike

[ghporter]

You will be able to configure your Linksys equipment from ANY computer on the network that has a browser-Apple still insists on using a platform-specific application to configure an ABS (ok, they have released a Windows version, but they "don't support" it).

Which "G" Linksys product are you looking at? You can find their WRT54G router (wireless G plus a 4-port wired router) for less than $80 at Buy.com. Have AirPort Extreme bases actually gotten down anywhere near that price point? The only "configuration issues" I can think of dealing with the Linksys would be setting up a WEP password, and that's not a big deal, really

[Maflynn]

Originally posted by GHPorter:
You will be able to configure your Linksys equipment from ANY computer on the network that has a browser-Apple still insists on using a platform-specific application to configure an ABS (ok, they have released a Windows version, but they "don't support" it).

Which "G" Linksys product are you looking at? You can find their WRT54G router (wireless G plus a 4-port wired router) for less than $80 at Buy.com. Have AirPort Extreme bases actually gotten down anywhere near that price point? The only "configuration issues" I can think of dealing with the Linksys would be setting up a WEP password, and that's not a big deal, really

The cost of the router isn't the issue, but the wireless print server module is over a $100 (I think 129) so that brings the price pretty close to Apple's. I am leaning towards the Linksys since it gives me 4 ethernet ports.

Mike

[ghporter]

The only real need I've ever seen for a wireless print server is when there's absolutely no way to get a network cable to the printer.

How about this-buy an inexpensive cable/DSL router with print server (I have a USRobotics AND a Siemens router, both have print servers) and connect it by wire to the Linksys wireless router. You can buy one for $50 or less just about any time. The brand, or the gateway functions aren't important, just the print server. This of course assumes that you won't be carting the printer around, and that you can somehow connect a Cat5 cable of 100 meters or less from the router to the printer area. Cost savings is substantial, and effort for setup is really pretty minimal. On top of that, there will NEVER be a problem with printing because of where someone is standing in the room (as in between the wireless router and the print server).

I have to admit that I'm biased toward simpler topologies. When you put a lot of eggs in one (wireless) basket, there's more chance for something to go wrong, so using wires is simpler-and cheaper.