Wireless networking hardware/setup help (networking noob)

[Fresh From The Grave]

Hey guys I'm new around here and looking for some advice about setting up a wireless network for internet. So basically I have one machine connected to the net by a regular ethernet adsl router and one machine not connected at all. I've done some research and here's what I *think* I should be able to do: Buy a wireless router/access point like this http://www.take2.co.za/electronics-trendnet-nspeed-wireless-n-home-router-4188773.html and connect that to the regular adsl router/modem via ethernet, then buy one of these to connect to the other machine http://www.take2.co.za/electronics-trendnet-nspeed-wireless-n-usb-adapter-4188787.html and once setup (which I should be able to do I'm just trying to first figure out whether or not I'm planning things right) I should be able to get internet on that machine? My other question is whether those little usb dongles have enough power to go about 15m through about 2 or 3 walls? I don't have any space for another pci card and I can't find usb dongles with antennas anywhere. Also the reason I'm not just replacing the current router altogether is to save a bit of money

If the little usb dongles aren't powerful enough is it then possible to buy two routers and hook the other up to the other machine and set it to AP-client? Would that work the same way as the little usb wireless?

The last part of my post is would it be ok to buy a router/usb like these: http://www.take2.co.za/electronics-canyon-cnp-wf514n1-wireless-108mbps-router-4356120.html http://www.take2.co.za/electronics-canyon-wireless-adapter-usb-white-5166754.html or am I wasting my time going cheap? The trendnets above are another option as well as D-link which seems to have to the most favourable reviews.

Sorry for the long post I'm just making sure I've got everything straight! Any advice is much appreciated!

 

[Elvis007]

Your first option should work, plugging in the access point into one of your router's lan ports.

Then plug the wireless usb dongle's into the pc's. It should go through 3 walls if it's only 15m, but only one way to know for sure, test it.

My father has endless problems with his Trendnet wireless at home, but he has a old wireless router, don't know if the new ones are better

 

[Fresh From The Grave]

Your first option should work, plugging in the access point into one of your router's lan ports.

Then plug the wireless usb dongle's into the pc's. It should go through 3 walls if it's only 15m, but only one way to know for sure, test it.

My father has endless problems with his Trendnet wireless at home, but he has a old wireless router, don't know if the new ones are better

cool thanks elvis i'm only looking 802.11n stuff so hopefully that will help some with the walls. I suppose I should be able to take it back if it doesn't quite cut it. But yeah I read some reviews on the trendnet stuff and it seems like people have suffered from overheating problems (and then it cuts out). So I'm thinking I'll have to go with the D-Link since there aren't any reviews of the canyon stuff!

Does anyone have any recommendations for a usb wireless with an antenna? I haven't been able to find them anywhere online, at least not for a reasonable price sounding price...

 

[dragonflyer]

Hey Fresh

The options you have picked would work perfectly fine. The N standard wireless router that you choose should have the feature of MIMO (more than one aerial), this gives it a larger range so going through 2 or 3 walls shouldnt be a problem. With regards to the USB dongle, it doesnt really matter if it can go through 2 or 3 walls since the router does most of the work sending out the signal.

 

[Fresh From The Grave]

Hey Fresh

The options you have picked would work perfectly fine. The N standard wireless router that you choose should have the feature of MIMO (more than one aerial), this gives it a larger range so going through 2 or 3 walls shouldnt be a problem. With regards to the USB dongle, it doesnt really matter if it can go through 2 or 3 walls since the router does most of the work sending out the signal.

hey dragonflyer thanks for confirming the other thing I discovered yesterday is powerline networking which really peaked my interest. it seems like a real alternative to wireless that might actually be better. Has anyone tried this out? Does it work ok with south african power grids and adapters and such? (since the plugs are all american and need an adapter to get into a south african plug)

 

[dragonflyer]

You are welcome Fresh

With the powerline setup yes it does work here in south africa but the only thing is that the powerline setup only works with one phase electrics, meaning if you using it in a house or a small office that has only one db board it will work brilliantly. if you try using it in a warehouse or large office with multiple db boards it wont work.

 

[Fresh From The Grave]

You are welcome Fresh

With the powerline setup yes it does work here in south africa but the only thing is that the powerline setup only works with one phase electrics, meaning if you using it in a house or a small office that has only one db board it will work brilliantly. if you try using it in a warehouse or large office with multiple db boards it wont work.

ah that's perfect cool thanks for your input guys it's much appreciated! I think I'm gonna bypass my surge protecting power strips with an adapter and use the powerline then and then if for some reason that doesn't work then I'll go with the wireless. It's also probably a bit safer than wireless since it probably won't venture outside my house like wireless would (even with firewalls and encryption I'm still paranoid).