[markw10]

I got my first MacBook Pro a couple weeks ago. Later this year/early next year I will be getting a Mac Pro. I have a Windows XP network currently though that is partially wired since I have two desktops and a couple LAN printers and as well I have 2 desktops. With N networking I know I will be upgrading my wi-fi sometime next year and as well eventually would like to put a hub in that is gigabit ethernet. For now I just have a Linksys Ethernet hub for the wired part and a Linksys Wireless Access Point for the wi-fi.
What hardware do most Mac people use? It doesn't seem like Apple makes any wired/ethernet solutions but does make the Airport and Airport Express. Do most people use these Apple solutions or is there another good brand to go with? I like how the Airport has the USB connector since I have one USB printer but as well I know if I use that for the printer then I assume the printer won't be available on the wired part of the network. As well, maybe this won't be a concern with N networking but my main computer and printers are in the basement, the other computers and laptops on the main level and I know with the current wi-fi the signal is weak in the basement so it's the possibility I'd need two airports or maybe an Airport and Airport express unless N solves this problem.

[mduell]

Your Linksys wired and wireless hardware will work fine with your Macs. I D-link and Linksys networking hardware with Macs.

Airport Express is a good, cheap print server; wifi range is so-so, but you may be able to use it to cover the parts of the house that the Linksys doesn't cover. It shares the printer over both the wired and wireless sides; all you need to do is disable NAT and DHCP on the Airport Exress.

The final 802.11n standard will not be released next year; at this point we're looking toward at least 2008.

[ghporter]

markw10,

mduell's statements are correct and to the point-All of your equipment will work fine with any Mac. I don't know of any consumer-level networking equipment that is not pretty good at complying with standards, and that's the bottom line here since networking is based on international standards, not some company's proprietary stuff. There may be a bobble or two when it comes to how you configure the equipment (almost always through your browser), but that should be the extent of it.

BUT... We have a whole forum for networking questions. I'll move this thread there, but in the future, please make sure you post in the right forum, ok? It makes things a lot better for everyone.

Cheers

[trevj]

Sorry, wrong place for this posting.