Comments on: Setting Up a Home Wi-Fi Network for Under $200 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/ Rebooting the workforce Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:53:31 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: WWD Ultimate Guide to Wi-Fi: From Network Setup to Power User Tips « Web Worker Daily http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-175611 WWD Ultimate Guide to Wi-Fi: From Network Setup to Power User Tips « Web Worker Daily Mon, 17 Sep 2007 13:00:39 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-175611 [...] a recent post focused on those who have not yet put in a Wi-Fi network at home, I supplied complete instructions [...] [...] a recent post focused on those who have not yet put in a Wi-Fi network at home, I supplied complete instructions [...]

]]> By: Joel Strellner http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162663 Joel Strellner Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:51:49 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162663 Unless you house is a huge mansion, no access point is needed. I have a WRT54G and always get great performance out of it. No network drops or packet loss. I regularly have to install wireless routers and every time I do, I do it with a WRT54G and to date have never ran into an issue caused by the router. Windows computers commonly screw with settings and need to be fixed at times (usually spyware infected computers or screwy apps that insist on taking over Windows' wireless utility). If you have a lot of routers in your available networks list and you aren't getting good performance, try changing the channel of your router, that usually helps tremendously. Just remember to change it by 3 frequencies at a time, because there is bleed over. Most people leave there channel/frequency settings at the default so changing yours will help. A few other things to note, you don't need to use Linksys' install cd. Just plug in the router and look for "linksys" to become available in your wireless networks (it will be unsecured) and connect to it. Then type 192.168.1.1 in your browser and use "admin" as the username and "admin" as the password. You can do everything from the interface without installing another piece of software on your computer (including changing the router password from admin)! If you do happen to find that a spot just isn't giving you the signal that you want, you can buy bigger antennas for the WRT54G for around $25-$30 if you price shop. The antennas help out more than you'd expect, often negating the need for a access point (repeater). Finally, if you are paying more than $50 for the WRT54G, you are paying too much. Computer stores always seem to overprice it (sometimes they have deals that mark it down to $49.99 though). As sad as it is, Wal-Mart almost always has them priced at $49.98 so go get them there. Unless you house is a huge mansion, no access point is needed. I have a WRT54G and always get great performance out of it. No network drops or packet loss.

I regularly have to install wireless routers and every time I do, I do it with a WRT54G and to date have never ran into an issue caused by the router. Windows computers commonly screw with settings and need to be fixed at times (usually spyware infected computers or screwy apps that insist on taking over Windows’ wireless utility).

If you have a lot of routers in your available networks list and you aren’t getting good performance, try changing the channel of your router, that usually helps tremendously. Just remember to change it by 3 frequencies at a time, because there is bleed over. Most people leave there channel/frequency settings at the default so changing yours will help.

A few other things to note, you don’t need to use Linksys’ install cd. Just plug in the router and look for “linksys” to become available in your wireless networks (it will be unsecured) and connect to it. Then type 192.168.1.1 in your browser and use “admin” as the username and “admin” as the password. You can do everything from the interface without installing another piece of software on your computer (including changing the router password from admin)!

If you do happen to find that a spot just isn’t giving you the signal that you want, you can buy bigger antennas for the WRT54G for around $25-$30 if you price shop. The antennas help out more than you’d expect, often negating the need for a access point (repeater).

Finally, if you are paying more than $50 for the WRT54G, you are paying too much. Computer stores always seem to overprice it (sometimes they have deals that mark it down to $49.99 though). As sad as it is, Wal-Mart almost always has them priced at $49.98 so go get them there.

]]> By: Samuel Dean http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162166 Samuel Dean Sat, 01 Sep 2007 20:46:56 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162166 It's interesting to see how many people here use just a router and no access point. I've always had an access point, and most people I know do. I have a very big, two-story house and I park the access point near the top of the stairs, a spot I arrived at because I experimented with several spots for the access point, and I seem to get the best downstairs performance with it there. It could very well be that I would get okay performance with just the router, though. Interesting. Sam It’s interesting to see how many people here use just a router and no access point. I’ve always had an access point, and most people I know do. I have a very big, two-story house and I park the access point near the top of the stairs, a spot I arrived at because I experimented with several spots for the access point, and I seem to get the best downstairs performance with it there. It could very well be that I would get okay performance with just the router, though. Interesting.

Sam

]]> By: Cameron http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162122 Cameron Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:16:39 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162122 How big are the houses you guys live in??? I've got a fairly large house, and with just my 802.11g Netgear router, I can get a full signal strength anywhere on my property (probably about 80' from the router, through multiple walls). We often have my laptop, my husband's laptop, and our media center PC connected at the same time, and with the exception of if we're trying to download large files and stream video at the same time, we NEVER have problems (and this is on the cheap-o DSL, not cable). I think I spend around $80 on the router. How big are the houses you guys live in??? I’ve got a fairly large house, and with just my 802.11g Netgear router, I can get a full signal strength anywhere on my property (probably about 80′ from the router, through multiple walls). We often have my laptop, my husband’s laptop, and our media center PC connected at the same time, and with the exception of if we’re trying to download large files and stream video at the same time, we NEVER have problems (and this is on the cheap-o DSL, not cable). I think I spend around $80 on the router.

]]> By: Peter http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162119 Peter Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:12:51 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162119 Sam - What kind of mansion do you live in? I've got a single Linksys WRT54G downstairs and I can go anywhere upstairs or out into the yard with no problems or signal loss. Maybe you're getting interference from some other device. Sam – What kind of mansion do you live in? I’ve got a single Linksys WRT54G downstairs and I can go anywhere upstairs or out into the yard with no problems or signal loss. Maybe you’re getting interference from some other device.

]]> By: Aaron http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162085 Aaron Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:53:09 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162085 I can also attest to the 'quality' or lack-there-of, of Linksys equipment. I have had equipment crap out and restart issues. Currently I am using a Belkin something or other MIMO(super early draft-n) wireless router without issues. -<a>Aaron</a> I can also attest to the ‘quality’ or lack-there-of, of Linksys equipment. I have had equipment crap out and restart issues. Currently I am using a Belkin something or other MIMO(super early draft-n) wireless router without issues.

-Aaron

]]> By: Jerod Santo http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162002 Jerod Santo Sat, 01 Sep 2007 16:02:04 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-162002 Just make sure you get a wireless router that is compatible with <a href="http://www.dd-wrt.com" rel="nofollow">DD-WRT</a>. This is an open-source firmware that turns wimpy little Linksys (and other) devices into ridiculously powerful assets. Then you can set up openVPN, advanced encryption schemes, dynamic DNS, etc. All things that a mobile web-worker can use to connect to their home network when they're on the move. Just make sure you get a wireless router that is compatible with DD-WRT. This is an open-source firmware that turns wimpy little Linksys (and other) devices into ridiculously powerful assets.

Then you can set up openVPN, advanced encryption schemes, dynamic DNS, etc. All things that a mobile web-worker can use to connect to their home network when they’re on the move.

]]> By: Samuel Dean http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161923 Samuel Dean Sat, 01 Sep 2007 13:59:09 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161923 Yes, a router-only solution can be very cheap, but if you have a big house and that's all you're using, you'll run into performance issues. You definitely need some kind of wireless extender for range and performance. The standard solution is an access point, but I like your two router idea. Interesting. Sam Yes, a router-only solution can be very cheap, but if you have a big house and that’s all you’re using, you’ll run into performance issues. You definitely need some kind of wireless extender for range and performance. The standard solution is an access point, but I like your two router idea. Interesting.

Sam

]]> By: Egonitron http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161757 Egonitron Sat, 01 Sep 2007 09:48:29 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161757 You don't need to spend anywhere close to $200 if you're at least a little bit tech-savvy, and I hope you are if you're reading this blog. Buy a good <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AOKTJ8?ie=UTF8&tag=automoblog-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000AOKTJ8" rel="nofollow">Buffalo WHR-G54 Wireless Router</a> for only $60 from Amazon. That's it. If you need more range you can hack it with <a href="http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato" rel="nofollow">Tomato</a> or another firmware, or if you aren't comfortable with that, find a cheap-o router that can be used as a wireless extender, or buy two of those Buffalo routers and use them. That's what I use, and love it. You could also see what they're going for on eBay. No need for $200. You don’t need to spend anywhere close to $200 if you’re at least a little bit tech-savvy, and I hope you are if you’re reading this blog. Buy a good Buffalo WHR-G54 Wireless Router for only $60 from Amazon. That’s it. If you need more range you can hack it with Tomato or another firmware, or if you aren’t comfortable with that, find a cheap-o router that can be used as a wireless extender, or buy two of those Buffalo routers and use them. That’s what I use, and love it. You could also see what they’re going for on eBay. No need for $200.

]]> By: earpick http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161615 earpick Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:50:49 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161615 I work at an Apple Reseller store during the day, and whenever people come in saying they have problems with their wireless networks, the first thing I ask is whether they have a Linksys router. 9 out of 10 times they do. I'm not sure what it is about Macs and Linksys. Linksys is a division of Cisco after all, and they take their stuff seriously. Their product design could definitely get updated from the mid-90s look, but performance has been the worst. I myself own a linksys, and I have to force restart it every 3-5 days. The connection just dies without a reason. Other Mac users in the store reported that their PCs still see the wireless network and are able to connect to it, however their Macs are oblivious to it. Just my 2 cents. I'd recommend going with a D-Link cause they are fairly cheap and easy to replace in case of a failure. I work at an Apple Reseller store during the day, and whenever people come in saying they have problems with their wireless networks, the first thing I ask is whether they have a Linksys router. 9 out of 10 times they do.

I’m not sure what it is about Macs and Linksys. Linksys is a division of Cisco after all, and they take their stuff seriously. Their product design could definitely get updated from the mid-90s look, but performance has been the worst. I myself own a linksys, and I have to force restart it every 3-5 days. The connection just dies without a reason. Other Mac users in the store reported that their PCs still see the wireless network and are able to connect to it, however their Macs are oblivious to it.

Just my 2 cents. I’d recommend going with a D-Link cause they are fairly cheap and easy to replace in case of a failure.

]]> By: Home Wi-Fi Network : Joberu http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161597 Home Wi-Fi Network : Joberu Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:22:08 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161597 [...] downstairs, setting up a quality Wi-Fi Network will add years to your life.  Webworker Daily has a good guide to do this for only $200. “If you have yet to set up a Wi-Fi network in your home, and you [...] [...] downstairs, setting up a quality Wi-Fi Network will add years to your life.  Webworker Daily has a good guide to do this for only $200. “If you have yet to set up a Wi-Fi network in your home, and you [...]

]]> By: rick gregory http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161479 rick gregory Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:47:00 +0000 http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/08/31/setting-up-a-home-wi-fi-network-for-under-200/#comment-161479 One more tip. Consider buying a printer that connects to the router. Hanging a printer off your network is VERY nice. You can be anywhere in the house, decide you want to print something, and just print it. No, a network printer isn't a big deal in businesses... but it's something I see a lot of home offices not install. Why carry the laptop across the house to the desk just so you can print? Another thought on the same line is to hang a home NAS off the router so that you have plug and play storage that doesn't require setting up another computer. Now, what am I doing on t he web on Friday night? ackk... One more tip. Consider buying a printer that connects to the router. Hanging a printer off your network is VERY nice. You can be anywhere in the house, decide you want to print something, and just print it. No, a network printer isn’t a big deal in businesses… but it’s something I see a lot of home offices not install. Why carry the laptop across the house to the desk just so you can print?

Another thought on the same line is to hang a home NAS off the router so that you have plug and play storage that doesn’t require setting up another computer. Now, what am I doing on t he web on Friday night? ackk…

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