Wireless Networking

[dw1980]

Hi Everyone

Our company is planning on moving to smaller premises, so I suggested that we go wireless for our network instead of running new cables etc. We are a staff of 4 people. We are currently running a Qnap TS-431P as our server (only a file server), we don;t use specialized software for the need of a fancy server.

I am very fond of Asus Routers, so I will be purchasing a decent Router to do this job.

I now need to procure some wireless Network Adaptors for our PC's (PCI or PCI-E).

We currently run AutoCAD and Solidworks, and use Office excel/word, so the files are saved on the server, with the programs installed on each individual PC. However, some of the Solidworks files can be quite huge, so what speed network cards should I go with?

I am still learning about n/b/g/ac wireless terminology, so which one gives the fastest speed?

I also know that 2.4GHz on routers give out a much bigger distance than 5GHz. I also know how to choose the best channel for the wifi inside the building so that it does not conflict with other devices.

Any recommendations to a decent Asus Router and Wireless cards?

 

[Smokey888]

No Wireless network card will replace the speed of LAN.

Laptop network cards are normally capped at 72mbs per second

 

[rubber_otter]

Just run cables if you intend on transferring CAD files.

 

[Kloofvreter]

Rather stick to cabling, it's cheap enough.

 

[dw1980]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. We currently have 1GBs LAN running in our office, so the wireless will be quite painful. Pity the wireless is limited to slow speeds, as we are moving into a house in Bedfordview, so I didn't want to run trunking etc and ruin the house. Oh well...

 

[dw1980]

Typically, the more clients connected, the slower the WiFi network. Definitely run cables. WiFi should be a convenience only (mobiles, laptops). Many businesses only offer internet over WiFi (no company resources can be accessed). If you intend to have guests at your office use the internet over WiFi, then get an access point that supports guest mode (only internet - separate SSID / Network name)

Hi Daruk.

Well we basically have one guy using Solidworks full time, and the owner who basically uses Excel/Word. Then now and then I work on an AutoCAD drawing (2D only), and mostly excel/word. The 4th person is an admin lady who basically just does our filing, so she is not really using the network. The accountant comes in once every 2 weeks.

But yeah, if business/work picks up again and we need another Solidworks Draughtsman, then it will really become slow.

 

[Smokey888]

Work on a average price of R1.5k per network point. Do the math and figure out what would be best for the company. are all going to sit in one open plan? will the owner sit very far from the staff? if so, wireless is not the way to go. going to spend more on access points etc.

 

[garyc]

Do the office layout so that you can easily provision cabling to the CAD workstations. The rest of the stuff may be OK on wireless.

 

[dw1980]

Yeah, I discussed now with the owner, and we going to just stick with the cabling route, especially the fact that we already have the Network switch etc. It will be cheaper and easier just to buy a roll of Cat 6 cable, some terminals and a crimping tool. The admin and Accountant can stay on wireless.

 

[rubber_otter]