I want to dump the wires

steveovig · Post by **steveovig** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:18 am

I think I'm finally going to plunge into the wireless realm for once. I'm planning to pick up a PSP soon and I already have a DS and I want to play some stuff online. The problem is I have no clue what to purchase in order to set-up a wireless connection. I see routers in the Best Buy ad going for around $40-$50. If I buy one of these will I need anything else? I see stuff at the store like something called a "Base Station", do I need anything like that? Can someone please help me with this info? Thanks.

VNAF Ace · Post by **VNAF Ace** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:41 am

All you need is a wireless router.

Maximum data transfer rate of 802.11B = 11 Mbit/s.

Maximum data transfer rate of 802.11G = 54 Mbit/s.

Maximum data transfer rate of 802.11 Super G = 108 Mbit/s.

Try to go for a Super G wireless router. They're the best you can find.

And remember to create a network key so you have a secure wireless network.

steveovig · Post by **steveovig** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 1:49 pm

How far can the wireless connection go? Like say I was in a room next to my wireless connection, would it still work?

fl0w · Post by **fl0w** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:14 pm

afaik the PSP is only 802.11b (which sucks)
dunno about the DS

steveovig · Post by **steveovig** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:53 pm

With 802.11b, will it be noticably slow for online gaming and the like? That seems to be the cheapest.

Post by **Shatterhand** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 4:55 pm

11 mbit/s , at least in theory, should be more than enough for online gameplay.

I have a 300 bit/s connection, and I can play games without any lag if the server is the same country as my computer.

My friend has a 1mbit/s connection, and online gaming on his computer is awesome

Though I know shit about wireless conections.

FRO · Post by **FRO** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 8:07 pm

VNAF Ace wrote:All you need is a wireless router.

Maximum data transfer rate of 802.11B = 11 Mbit/s.

Maximum data transfer rate of 802.11G = 54 Mbit/s.

Maximum data transfer rate of 802.11 Super G = 108 Mbit/s.

Try to go for a Super G wireless router. They're the best you can find.

And remember to create a network key so you have a secure wireless network.

One caveat of that - unless your device has the "Super G" technology built-in or is compatible w/ that format (which is NOT a standard 802.11 specification), you won't get that performance. In other words, the most you'll get is whatever your device allows. I haven't read specs, but I would assume that both the DS & PSP are "lowest common denominator" devices, utilizing only the 802.11b technology, or a maximum throughput of 11MB. For most games, that should be more than sufficient, especially considering that most consumer internet connections don't have more than 1MB upload & 3-5 download (depending on the technology in use). Just don't expect to get 108MB/sec out of your PSP - the "Super G" technology is only applicable with other "Super G" devices. I have a "Super G" access point at home & my laptop has built-in wireless which uses both b & g standards, so my maximum connection speed to my local network is 54MB/sec.

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 9:24 pm

steveovig wrote:With 802.11b, will it be noticably slow for online gaming and the like? That seems to be the cheapest.

11 megabits should be plenty to cover just about any residential internet connection you'd reasonably expect to find in the US, so you should have no problem there. That said, there's no reason not to just go with 802.11g equipment. The way that my apartment is wired, I have to use wireless in order to connect my PC to my DSL (no phone or cable jacks in the room I use as my office/den.) My DSL modem happens to have a built-in wireless router, which works reasonably well most of the time but can be problematic on occasion.

subcons · Post by **subcons** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:36 am

steveovig wrote:How far can the wireless connection go? Like say I was in a room next to my wireless connection, would it still work?

It can be different depending on a bunch of variables. It's likely that if you say, lived in an apartment, one of your neighbors could use your connection. I've been out before with my iBook and picked up weird networks before. I picked up a 'Burger King' network one time. Signal was super weak though.

Wireless is awesome though. Definitely the way to go.

Specineff · Post by **Specineff** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:40 am

Securing access to your network is as easy as setting up a password, and giving that password only to the computers you want to allow to connect. It's so easy, I got it on the first try just by reading the manual. And I knew jack about wireless networks.

steveovig · Post by **steveovig** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:00 am

There is a $40 802.11g router in this week's Best Buy ad that seems to be calling me, so I guess the difference in price between b and g isn't so terrible. How can I possibly find a deal better than $40 right now, you know.

FRO · Post by **FRO** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:39 pm

Specineff wrote:Securing access to your network is as easy as setting up a password, and giving that password only to the computers you want to allow to connect. It's so easy, I got it on the first try just by reading the manual. And I knew jack about wireless networks.

There's more to it than that. A really secure wireless network should have MAC address filtering, hide the SSID, & have at least 128-bit WEP, if not additional protection like WPA or TKIP (depending on the technology available on your wireless card). Use of all the available technologies is the most sure-fire way of ensuring that no one will see or use your network.

OneEyedJack · Post by **OneEyedJack** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:14 pm

As far as securing your wireless network, it is something to take VERY seriously. Your next door neighbors (or neighbors if you are in an apartment building) can crack a simple security setup and do something illegal such as surf child porn and get 'caught'. Guess who they come and arrest and whose computers they seize?

Wireless security is very important.

Spammers seem to be more hated than child molesters, so a spammer can spam via YOUR bandwidth.

Stop assholes from ruining things, use wireless security.