Wireless Internet

How does wireless internet work? I'm not sure if I should switch to wireless internet (at home) or not?


My main concern lies with:

1) Security

2) Stability

3) Speed


Also, if I've got WIFI installed on my mobile device like PDA, etc. Can I surf the internet using WIFI at any locations offering this WIFI access? Do you need to subscribe to a WIFI plan myself and log into my own account to surf the internet?


Thanks!

Assuming you have adsl, your maximum/theoretical speed is less with wireless - that depends on the protocol you are using and other factors as well. Security - if you set it up with passwords, etc., it will be as secure as you want to make it, but it can be more difficult to set up. Depending on the type of construction of your home, you may have good connections anywhere in the house, or it may be spotty - thick cement walls, etc., are problematic. Generally you have to have either an account with the isp in question, or the wireless access point has to be open and you have to be able to configure your hardware to log onto it.

Not the original poster, but I would appreciate if you could recommend a brand of router.


Thanks,


dbg

Buffalo or Linksys.


For security, try setting it to MAC Address only, meaning, add only the MAC Address u want or approve for it to be able to use ur WIFI. MAC Address is the ID of ur LAN Card.


For Speed, not much difference from wired connections but there will be disruption if u have thick walls in between ur router n pc/laptop.

Pay attention to part of what miklosc says - be careful who you listen to. Go to linksys's website and look at the specs for their WRT54G Wirless Broadband router.


http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1149562300349&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=0034939789B01


I have always figured 54 mbps wireless is a tad slower than 100 mbps ethernet - 54% the theoretical speed of an ethernet wired network - but maybe i am wrong. Anyway, Linksys says:


"Wireless-G is the upcoming 54Mbps wireless networking standard that's almost five times as fast as the widely deployed Wireless-B (802.11b) products found in homes, businesses, and public wireless hotspots around the country — but since they share the same 2.4GHz radio band, Wireless-G devices can also interoperate with existing 11Mbps Wireless-B equipment.


Since both standards are built in, you can protect your investment in existing 802.11b infrastructure, and migrate to the new screaming fast Wireless-G standard as your needs grow.


The Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router is really three devices in one box. First, there's the Wireless Access Point, which lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. There's also a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. Finally, the Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection, files, and other resources such as printers and hard disk storage space."


The new N specification may provide the same through put as a hardwired router, but there are overhead hits for encryption and other wireless activities, so I suspect ethernet will always be faster than wireless.


The important thing is that although slower, wireless is still fast enough that you should be pleased with the results - given a decent ISP. And if you get a decent router, there should be wired enthernet ports on the back so you can have the best of both with one piece of hardware.


Linksys is a good brand.

Yes, 54 Mb/s is slower than 100 Mb/s, but keep in mind that this is only the (theoretical) maximum speed in and out of the router. The actual speed you get will depend on many factors, one of which is the plan that you signed up for with your ISP. If your plan is only for 6 Mb/s, then that's all you will get (theoretically), regardless of what your router will support.

actually, if one has a question of what is better - cable, adsl or satelite (depending on what si available) are the access choices, and WiFi is the connection between the computer/home network and the internet. And there can be definate differances on connectivity, quality, and costs, depending on selections made.