Wireless network - mixed bag

alanf617 · 30-01-2007, 22:46

I have a network on 1 PC running Windows XP Home with a D-Link DWL-G520+ card,
One XP home with a DWL-520 PCI card and one Windows 98 PC with a DWL-520 PCI card .
I'm thinking of changing a DI-614+ router to a faster router but I want to know if it's compatible with setup that is that are currently in use.

Will the router "talk" to each PC at the highest speed that each card is capable of, or will it work out the slowest speed that is in use and transmit to all the PCs at that speed?

And finally, any thoughts on which brand of router, or should I stick with D-Link

Thanks in advance,

Paul · 30-01-2007, 22:48

Should work at the speeds that the cards can run at as far as I know. We have a netgear here but if you have cards matched to the router then it may not be the cheapest option to change it all.

alanf617 · 30-01-2007, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

but if you have cards matched to the router then it may not be the cheapest option to change it all.

Matched? I'm hoping that (say) a Netgear or Linksys router will talk to the PCI cards... do they have to be matched?

Currently, the Router filters on MAC addresses, that seems the most secure; the best encryption that I can use is WEP as the Windows 98 PC can't cope with anything better

Aragorn · 31-01-2007, 11:33

Alan,

A wireless network works at the speed of the slowest connected device, ie your 11b DWL-520.

Also, 'speed booster' cards typically only work with the same make of router, eg a network with a Linksys WRT54GS & 2 Linksys GS cards will operate at upto 108Mbs, but a Dlink speedbooster would probably only work at standard 54G.

---------- Post added at 11:33 ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 ----------

As for encryption, WEP is not very secure at all. Nor is MAC filtering. A competent wardriver could read any 'non-https' traffic on your network within a short time.

If possible, I would look to upgrade the 98 system asap and switch to WPA or WPA2 security.

alanf617 · 31-01-2007, 12:46

Poo, that IS bad news.
I think the router will have to go; The faster network card is in my own PC, but if son logs on that the same time, presumably the router will slow to the lower speed (22 wotsits /s) and as we will be sharing the router, it'll be as slow as it is now.

Thanks very much anyway

P.S. In your avatar, what IS that thing in your hands?

Aragorn · 31-01-2007, 15:13

Quote:

P.S. In your avatar, what IS that thing in your hands?

Prolly the saddle or reins - didn't look that close