Topic: Broadband Advice

[Huw]

I'm thinking of upgrading to BT Broadband. Specifically the wireless option.

What broadband do you have now? If you change supplier make sure you get a "MAC code" to give to the new company - that should ensure that you don't loose your connection for more than a few hours. If you don't use a MAC code the buggers can cut you off for ten days 

Wireless broadband around the house is pretty much down to what hardware you buy - i.e. you could add it to your existing broadband for somewere between £50 and £100.

Is it worth it? YES 

There is/was some concern that the wireless connection could be picked up outside the house and exploited by geeky people.  But I think we are reasonably safe in rural parts - perhaps the techies could comment?

You really should secure your connection - even in Mynydd!! It's easy to do and keeps all the nasty people out of your networks. Some people in Aberystwyth Science Park think that no one will ever use their wireless link to gain net access .... 

[GuyB]

I have a wireless connection between the kids' computers and mine.  It saved hassle routing wiring up, down and through the house and was easy and quick to set up.  If you are wanting web access from several points in the house i would recommend it.  There is/was some concern that the wireless connection could be picked up outside the house and exploited by geeky people.  But I think we are reasonably safe in rural parts - perhaps the techies could comment?

Lloydie

I think you're right, provided you use WEP encryption, you've little to fear. I have to admit though, I had so many problems with wireless networking I eventually went back to wires. I think there is a enormous amount of EM interference where I live, which lead to increadably slow transmission speeds across the network.

[JimmyTheHoover]

Hi Folks - I just can't keep my nose out of anything (while waiting for you Seki's to get discussing Karate again anyway 

Anyway - WEP is O.K. but given a reasonable amount of time still crackable - WAP-PSK is much better 

Wireless is fine most of the time UNLESS you haver a neighbour with one of those poxy video sener units as thesse tend to broadcast across most of the cahnnels used by WIFI gear  - good tim is to avoid using a wifi channel close to that used by anyone else in your vicinity - to check this out just download netstumbler from www.netstumbler.com (free) and run it on your wireless PC and it will show any WIFI activity in your area and you can easily pick a channel remote from any in use  OR ALTERNATIVELY - if not secure channel - just connect to that and save the ADSL subscripttion fees....

[Azzy_Stealth]

IDEAS?
I've been looking at applying a wireless soution to my cabled hell. 

I regularly use 2 PC's in my home the laptop and Desktop both opposite sides of the house the network cable is annoying! but hidden. USB2 on laptop 1.1 on desktop. I don' t want to leave the PC on all the time but want access to the net without the pc on upstairs.I have a 2mb ADSL connection used for online games and ft.

What do you think about the items below?
Are there any packages that are cheaper?
Is there a noticable difference in speed?

     1.    BELKIN F5D7632UK4 54MBPS ADSL MODEM WITH BUILT-IN 11g WIRELESS ROUTER
      Ã‚£58.99                         
                                                   
     2.    BELKIN F5D7050UK 54MBPS WIRELESS G USB NETWORKING ADAPTER
      Ã‚£14.99                               
                        
     3.    BELKIN F5D7001UK HIGH-SPEED MODE WIRELESS G DESKTOP PCI NETWORK CARD
      Ã‚£19.49                   

PC world online + pickup price   
                        

[Huw]

Are there any packages that are cheaper?

One thing I learnt along time ago is never try networking on the cheap. Just don't !!

Sticking to the same brand all the way through is good - but maybe not Belkin (heard bad things about them recently). D-link and USR seem to  be OK these days.

The rest of the plan seems sound, if a little slow. The new gear goes up to 100+ MBPS these days.

[GuyB]

One thing I learnt along time ago is never try networking on the cheap. Just don't !!

Yeah.. very true..