Wireless Networking Reviews

This page provides links to all my wireless networking reviews. I have done a couple of pages on wireless networking to help you get to grips with this useful technology.

If you're new to wireless networking and want an introductory tutorial read my wireless networking tutorial here.

Wireless networking is great for sharing high speed Internet connections

If you're looking at adding a high speed Internet connection, then DSL or cable modem is the way to go. Depending on where you live you may have access to both options. DSL of course is dependent on the distance from you to the exchange, while cable modem is dependent on your cable TV provider offering such a service.

In either case simply call your phone or cable provider for details on their services.

The advantage of this type of high speed connection is that you can share your DSL/ cable modem connection across several computers. To do this you need a DSL/ cable modem router. This page is all about the current range of wireless routers which allow you to share an Internet connection without having any bulky network cables around your house.

How home wireless networking is done

At home I have a DSL modem attached to a separate wireless router. My DSL modem and computers simply plug into the wireless router. My laptop has a wireless card which allows it to share the DSL Internet connection with my desktop PC.

The best home wireless networking equipment?

I have to admit D-link has currently got the strongest range of wireless networking products. The main advantages of D-Link wireless stuff is that for the same price you get twice the data rate.

All the other cheap wireless gear use 11Mbs (megabits per second) while D-Link gear supports 22 Mbs. D-Link is also slightly cheaper than most other brands, they have been around a while and their gear is reliable.

The 22 Mbs is the peak data transfer rate of the wireless network. In the real world 11 Mbs equates to about 300Kbs (1/3 megabyte per second) while D-Link gear will do around 500 Kbs (1/2 megabyte per second).

The one catch is to get this higher speed you must use a D-Link wireless router and D-Link wireless network cards in your laptop or PC. The good news is that D-Link wireless network cards are no more expensive than cards by other manufacturers.

Have a look at this D-Link 54Mbps wireless router. The 54 Mbps is very fast and will give you about half the speed of a 100Mbps regular wired network connection.

You will also need wireless network cards in each of your computers. You need small PC cards for laptops

For desktop computers you should get a high speed 54Mdps wireless PCI network card

If all these parts seem a little confusing have a look at my wireless networking tutorial.

The advantages of wireless networking

Carrying out a neat installation using Ethernet cables to connect computers to a DSL/ cable modem router is often quite annoying. Most people don't want cables traced throughout their home and it is beyond my abilities at home DIY to conceal them in an effective way.

A wireless network means that you do not need to run cables all over your house connecting the computers to the router. If you ever have to move then your wireless router just packs up with you and is as easy to install in your next place.

It is quite common however for people to use a mix of wired and wireless solutions on their home networks. This is what I do. It is possible as almost all wireless routers also have 4 normal network ports to add wired computers to the network.

If you already have a network at home

If you already have a home network the a wireless router is the cheapest way to add wireless connections.

A wireless router can act as an access point that provides you pretty much what it implies, a wireless connection to your wired network.

If you have a laptop computer like me then wireless networking is ideal. You can connect to your high speed Internet connection in bed or outside your house.

It only takes a couple of hours to set up a wireless network in your home.