Time For Wireless LAN: Help Please

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xenithon

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Hi all. I chatted a while ago about setting up a WLAN but things were put on pause for about 6 months. I am now ready to set it up and would just like some advice on what to use and how to use it properly (ie. optimal speed, security etc.). As before - placed in this forum even though regarding iBurst as it seems most of the WLAN knowledge resides here ;)

Current setup: 2 desktop PCs connected directly via ethernet (one NIC direct to other). Main PC connected to iBurst modem via USB. ICS between two PCs working like a charm, as is file sharing.

New PC: Dell D610 notebook which now needs internet access. At the moment, file sharing is not too important between it and the other PCs, though it would be nice (currently any transfers done easily with USB key). The notebook has a wireless card built in.

Assumed changes: this is what I assume I need to do.
- first, get a wireless router
- then connect each of 2 PCs to router via ethernet ports (instead of PC1 to PC2)
- connect iBurst modem to router via USB
- setup router using main PC (PC1) connected via ethernet
- wireless card in the notebook should connect to wireless router and setup LAN through that

Essentially what I want to do is to keep the ICS as it is (if it aint broke, don't fix it) and add the notebook to the ICS setup. The slightly confusing thing which I am not sure about is if doing it as stated above will:
- allow the LAN to be as before so I can share files between PC1 and PC2 (seeing that they now both connect to router and not each other)
- allow the notebook to connect to the LAN and share files too, or if it will only allow sharing of the internet connection via ICS

Finally: wireless routers. Which would do the job? Do I want 54Mbps or 108Mbps? I want to get something which I can pickup from the dealers with whom I have accounts. From what I have seen this would include Asus (WL-520G 54Mbps) D-Link (Di-624 108Mbps/Di-524 54Mbps), and Gigabyte (GN-BR02G 108MBps).

Thanks again for any advice
X

PS. Someone told me once that they always prefer to get rid of ICS. Is it worth doing so? What would this entail? I just don't wanna remove ICS and duffup the alternative setup and be left with a non-functional network :o
 
The wireless 'router' would just be a wireless switch because you have a usb iburst modem which can only connect to PC1. If you had an iburst utd, then your life would be simpler :)

So, steps to take.
pc1 and pc2 connected to 'router' via ethernet
enable wireless on wireless router
enable wireless on notebook and connect to wireless network
on notebook, the default gateway must be PC1 i.e. the pc with iburst modem and ics on.

I use d-link so I can recommend that.

Cheers
 
Huh? The iBurst modem I have is the one which can connect either via ethernet or USB. Is that not the UTD??
 
xenithon said:
Huh? The iBurst modem I have is the one which can connect either via ethernet or USB. Is that not the UTD??
Click to expand...

You do get a USB only modem hence the confusion.

Then you sorted. Get rid of ICS on PC1, connect the iburst modem to the wireless router and let the router do the internet connection sharing stuff.

Setup:
pc1, pc2 connected to router via ethernet
laptop connected via wireless
utd connected to wireless router via ethernet in WAN port and router has iburst account details and logins for you.

PC1 now needs to use the router has the default gateway, so do all the other PCs.
 
Last edited:
PC1 now needs to use the router has the default gateway, so do all the other PCs.
Click to expand...

Where would I set this up? In other words what type of connection would I need to set up? I am used to having the connecting hardware part of the PC so it shows up under network settings, so excuse the noob-ness :o
 
Agree with nic on dropping ics....for any of the other to access the net, PC1 will always need to be on. For me that's a shlep. Only problem I forsee with the suggested setup, is monitoring the bandwidth usage, since traffic is going/coming directly to/from the router to whichever PC, without a single point to monitor usage. Since I'm on MyWi, cap is not an issue for me, but it might be on iBurst
 
xenithon said:
Where would I set this up? In other words what type of connection would I need to set up? I am used to having the connecting hardware part of the PC so it shows up under network settings, so excuse the noob-ness :o
Click to expand...

Oh its still in network settings, but now its under your LAN card settings.


See xenithon, you are now entering the exciting world of "networking". In "networking", you'll learn about DNS, DHCP, IP, gateways - all fun stuff I promise.So, welcome to "networking". "Networking" welcomes you....... :D


Short answer. Right click properties on your lan card. Go to TCP/IP settings and you will see the settings you have to enter. The IP of the router with be the ip of you default gateway.

You can also make everything easy for yourself by using DHCP (check your router) and then just on every connecting box, say "Automatic configuaration" or something (I'm actually using linux so I don't know the exact wording :))

I assume you are going to put some basic security on the wireless network? At least MAC filtering and essid hiding and best, WPA.
 
Hi there. Sounds easy enough. Any pros/cons to hardcoding default gateway/DNS server in Windows settings on the PC's as opposed to DHCP?

"I assume you are going to put some basic security on the wireless network? At least MAC filtering and essid hiding and best, WPA"

That is the other primary assistance I required: I heard some crazy stories regarding security and wireless routers so want to ensure it is done properly (although the specs of all the routers I mention state a whole range of security features). Is security not more of an issue with ADSL where people steal bandwidth (far fewer occurences on iBurst I assume).

Cheers,
X
 
xenithon said:
Hi there. Sounds easy enough. Any pros/cons to hardcoding default gateway/DNS server in Windows settings on the PC's as opposed to DHCP?

"I assume you are going to put some basic security on the wireless network? At least MAC filtering and essid hiding and best, WPA"

That is the other primary assistance I required: I heard some crazy stories regarding security and wireless routers so want to ensure it is done properly (although the specs of all the routers I mention state a whole range of security features). Is security not more of an issue with ADSL where people steal bandwidth (far fewer occurences on iBurst I assume).

Cheers,
X
Click to expand...

DHCP would just save you time I guess. You have 3 pcs to configure PLUS, its more noob friendly - enter settings once on router and then go to each pc and tick 2 checkboxes and done.

Wireless security and ADSL-login-name security are different things. For wireless security, you securing your network against your neighbours who, either with intent or accidently, are logging in on your network. MAC filtering and essid hiding will keep the ones who accidently logon to your network. While WPA encrytion will take care of the ones with intent.
 
I believe the security settings are setup on the router itself correct? Also from my searching and reading up here, I believe since the router doesn't 'reside' on one of the PC's, it is configured via web interface correct? Can this be done from ANY of the PCs?

Cheers,
X
 
xenithon said:
I believe the security settings are setup on the router itself correct? Also from my searching and reading up here, I believe since the router doesn't 'reside' on one of the PC's, it is configured via web interface correct? Can this be done from ANY of the PCs?

Cheers,
X
Click to expand...

Yep, you can admin the router from any PC that can see the router i.e. has the same IP address. So, when you have bought the router and had a look see, then you come back to us to answer more specifics.

I myself I'm getting a di-624 to do the same thing so you are in good company.
 
Will do..

One thing though - choice of routers. I talked to a number of people who said they had many hassles with D-Link stuff, so I am a bit weary. They all suggested either Netgear (WGT624 I believe is the model) or Linksys (WRT54G \ WRT54GL). This was also suggested when I asked about 6 months ago, but I recall there were availability/distribution problems with those makes.

Does anyone know where these can be bought and with a decent level of support (if required)?
 
I know D-Link can easily be bought (I can get it from Frontosa) but Linksys no. I can only find them (and Netgear) through Digital Planet.

PS. I have seen the DI-624 sweeping awards left right and center, so perhaps it was the other models which were giving crap (hopefully :p )
 
Thanks! Will give them a go. I will pop into their Village Walk branch as it is a minute from my work :)
 
Right, time for an update:

Got a Netgear WGT624 router. Pretty easy to install and setup using the software 'wizard' it comes with. Now my two PCs are connected via Ethernet cable to the router; the iBurst modem connects via the WAN port and the laptop connects via wireless (Dell laptop with Intel Pro 54Mbps Wireless adapter built in).

I am using WPA encryption (it said WPA2 was for corporate networks so may be a bit overkill). I can, if need be, get a Netgear 108Mbps Super-G wireless card for the laptop at a later stage, but don't think it is vital as I am not using the Dell for video streaming or anything; just internet access and LAN access, and it seems to be plenty quick enough as is.

Just one thing I noticed: it seems that the internet seems a bit slower than usual. Well, downloading really. Browsing is still very quick. Downloading though (using FDM) went from around 90-100kbps to around 50-70kbps, same site, same file etc. Will try again this week, as I suspect it may be due to increased internet usage over weekend (and clogging of iBurst contention ratio).

These are some settings I have which I wanted to check with you guys if it is ok:
- router is used for DHCP, but I reserved the first 3 addresses for the two PCs and notebook. Should I drop DHCP and give PC's the router's IP as gateway? Any benefits?
- SPI built into router is enabled (by default). Weird thing - when I turned it off it seemed the net and downloads were a bit slower!
- I disabled the bundled TrendMicro security which it came with (1 year subscription). Already got internet suites on all PCs in any case.
- I believe the LAN ports (2 PC's connecting to router) will work at standard 100Mbps speed, just like a 10/100 hub right? (PS. I could not find a wireless router which has 10/100/1000 LAN ports and don't think it is vital anyway).

Cheers,
X
 
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