Help this gadget guy sort out his wireless networking needs!
I'm setting up a wireless network in my home, but I am confused as to what hardware I need.
Here's my current setup:
In the Home office - Cable modem connected to router, which is then used to give net access to 2 Win XP PCs.
In the Living Room - Replay TV and Network-capable PS2, currently not networked.
Roaming around the house - Laptop with 802.11b wireless card.
As it stands, whenever I want to update my ReplayTV or play a game online on the PS2, I run an ethernet cable from the office to the living room to get these devices connected, one at a time. I need to set up wireless so that I can use my laptop without wires, and so that I can play the PS2 online and update my ReplayTV without running the wires.
I want to buy the least amount of networking add-ons that I can, so here's what I came up with:
Replace the router in the office with a 4-port wireless router, and keep the PCs plugged into it with ethernet cables. Then, buy a wireless bridge for the living room, and connect it to the router that was in the office. Plug the PS2 and ReplayTV into this now-connected router.
Will that work? I understand how wireless routers work, but I don't know if a bridge is what I really need. Could I use a wireless "access point," instead? They seem to be less expensive than bridges, but I didn't know if they can receive wireless signals, or if they can only send.
The method I outlined above would only require me to buy two devices (a $40 wireless router and a $60 wireless bridge), but I'm not sure my logic is good. What would be the cheapest/easiest way to connect all five of my devices (2 PCs, laptop, PS2, ReplayTV) while buying the least amount of new gear?
Any suggestions are appreciated.
-Bill
Here's my current setup:
In the Home office - Cable modem connected to router, which is then used to give net access to 2 Win XP PCs.
In the Living Room - Replay TV and Network-capable PS2, currently not networked.
Roaming around the house - Laptop with 802.11b wireless card.
As it stands, whenever I want to update my ReplayTV or play a game online on the PS2, I run an ethernet cable from the office to the living room to get these devices connected, one at a time. I need to set up wireless so that I can use my laptop without wires, and so that I can play the PS2 online and update my ReplayTV without running the wires.
I want to buy the least amount of networking add-ons that I can, so here's what I came up with:
Replace the router in the office with a 4-port wireless router, and keep the PCs plugged into it with ethernet cables. Then, buy a wireless bridge for the living room, and connect it to the router that was in the office. Plug the PS2 and ReplayTV into this now-connected router.
Will that work? I understand how wireless routers work, but I don't know if a bridge is what I really need. Could I use a wireless "access point," instead? They seem to be less expensive than bridges, but I didn't know if they can receive wireless signals, or if they can only send.
The method I outlined above would only require me to buy two devices (a $40 wireless router and a $60 wireless bridge), but I'm not sure my logic is good. What would be the cheapest/easiest way to connect all five of my devices (2 PCs, laptop, PS2, ReplayTV) while buying the least amount of new gear?
Any suggestions are appreciated.
-Bill
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Comments
I'm on the hunt for the Bridge right now. I may ask for your help again once I have all of the parts in place.
Thanks!