Anyone using Wireless Internet access?

[Executioner]

Hi guys,
I'm thinking about getting internet wireless access, as DSL and cable are no where in sight and I'm tired of downloading at 4.5k/s. They say I can get 760 down and 256 up for $49.95/m. There is a $250 setup fee/installed. I'm sure I won't get that kind of speed, but even if it's 2 or 3 times the speed of a 56k, I'll be grin'in from ear to ear. The installation includes them coming out to install a small dish on the roof top of the house.

Since I play games on line, I'm going to be talking to the head guy and find out about this type of service for game playing. From what I've heard, wireless is not that great for on line game play, but it must be better than a modem. The gal that I talked to at the desk said they have serveral customers that have this service just for that reason - to play games - and have no problems on lline.

Just wanted to see if anyone out there has used wireless access to the net.

Also, it looks like I'll need to get a router so I can split the signal to 2 other pc's in the house. My question here is: if I already have network cards in the rigs, how would the router work with the existing rig if I still want to use my existing network at home? Do I need a dedicated server? Currently on my network, they are all using RG-58 coax cable (yeah I know it's cheap than 10 base), but it's been working for the last 4 years without a problem. The nic cards do have a RG-45 connector though. Just trying to figure out in my mind how it would be wired if I get his wireless connection. Would I need 2 network cards in one pc to share it?

[honz]

be aware there are currently 3 standards.
802.11b - the oldest standard, probably most prevelant right now
802.11a - the new standard, way faster then .11b but its a whole new technology so needs different hardware then .11b
802.11g - supposedly newest one, but i wouldn't worry about it.

if you do go with wireless make sure that you ask which standard it is. each standard has different compatible hardware.

i had 802.11b (i'm assuming you have the same and not 802.11a??) when i had it, we had an awesome signal, straight line of sight, at mebbe 1000 yds. i would ask him if he had a guess as to how good a signal you might get. gaming was usually pretty good, it will most definately be better then dialup.

about the connections. if you want to buy a router, they do sell routers that convert from wireless to cable(rj45), not sure about the coaxial though. who knows ?? otherwise you could use one comp as a server, but it sounded like you had 3 comps, if thats the case a router would probably be most convenient.

just my 2-cents. GL

[DoPeY5007]

Originally posted by honz
be aware there are currently 3 standards.
802.11b - the oldest standard, probably most prevelant right now
802.11a - the new standard, way faster then .11b but its a whole new technology so needs different hardware then .11b
802.11g - supposedly newest one, but i wouldn't worry about it.

he is asking a completely dif question....



I don't know of any home router that uses that old cableing.... All the routers have 10/100 Base connections via RJ-45 ( unless you get a wireless router). You may need to upgrade your NIC cards.



The router set-up is ferly simple. But I know most ( Cable and DSL ) ISP's say they don't support home routers but they do work. I would check with the tech support and make sure a router will work on that wireless internet connection. I personaly don't know any one with it so I can't test it.....

[swinada]

my wireless is hooked up to a USB port. Wireless USB card. Im not in to games, so i cant help you there.
But one tip: Make sure you still have full access to your dialup account, without extra charge.
I was getting an average of around 70 to 120 KB download speeds, compared to the 2-5 KB on our dial up lines. (33.6). But a few weeks ago we had a bad windstorm, and the providers tower got a twist, no everybody that lives west of town has almost nothing to nothing. I am one of the unlucky ones that has nothing. So im back to dial up, till they get anything fixed. Which could be a while because they dont like climbing a tower in -30 (celsius)wheather.

[Executioner]

OK thanks for the info. I was able to talk to the head guy at the company and he said it won't be for another month or so until he can install a repeater which would make it reach my house. He says it's questionable whether the existing hardware signal would reach. So I have to wait again. Thanks Honz for the standard info on this, as I never knew that even existed. Another question to ask him when he calls back in a few weeks.

As for my network at home, yeah it's an oldie running 10base2, but it's been working for 4 years or more with no problems. I have one pc running XP with SP1, 3 others with Win98, and one with Win95b. I'm not worried about the nics as I can replace them when I switch over. Some of my nics already have RJ45 connector. They are a multi-port nic with AUI, BNC, and RJ45.

[Judg3]

One of my buddies over in Pa just got wireless Inet and absolutely loves it. He gets 4mbps down AND up, and they are upgrading everyone to 14mbps both way in a few months. He raves about it and hasnt dropped connection once so far. They even let him run servers and such, all at only 40$/month!

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

Does anybody have a link to the companies that supply this? I live in the boonies where cable and DSL are not an option and I'd love to see if this was available for me. TIA eGo

[honz]

Originally posted by DoPeY5007
he is asking a completely dif question....

i simply put those standards in, so that he didn't go out a buy hardware for a standard other then the one he is getting. =) srry for the confusion.

[matt719]

That will be fine for gaming. I used to have 512k down 128k up cable and i would get 20 pings to any local server. Now i have 1.5mbit down and 786k up and don't get pings much better. The problem with wireless isn't as much the bandwitdth as consistant. All of my computers upstairs are all wired. The 3 laptops are all wireless so they can move around the whole house. Generally, going through the walls i'll get between 40-75KB/s down out the of 180KB/s the wired gets. But like i said, it's all just how consistant things are. If you are wiring the computers w/ the wireless DSL it won't be as bad. I'm assuming you don't have regular cable or dsl in your area, but if you do get that! It's amazing stuff. I've never had DSL, but i love cable. It's very consistant, but in my area there are only a few thousand people on an OC-12. Cable can reach the speed of 3mbit down, although not in my area. I'm pretty sure DSL's max is 1.5 or something similar. Cable is also cheaper, and the modem is cheaper as well. People that say DSL is more reliable than cable are just ignorant. Sure it might have less resistance in the line, or travel faster or what not, but in either case it is still shared bandwidth. It's not dedicated bandwidth. There is a reason people pay $1000 or more a month for a T1. Sure my cable is nearly as fast, but it's not dedicated or as reliable as a T1.

[Judg3]

Some websites you can hit to find Wireless ISP's in your area:
(Note: Be sure to check the webpage for the perspective company, since a lot of em will list, say 1.5mbps both ways @ 800$, when it's only 80$ etc)

Broadband Wireless Exchange

DSL Reports Wireless ISP Search (Have to use the pulldown box to switch to Wireless under 'service type')

Those are the two big ones, but the easiest way to find service in your area is to look in the yellow pages. TO give an example, my buddy had 1 WISP listed in his location for him in Pa, but in the yellow pages he had 4 more. YMMV tho