Wi-Fi Equip.

Wireless Networking

Wireless is "hot" - whether for your "traveling" needs (see our Wi-Fi Services Ratings and Review for more information) or for your home.  With that in mind, we believe there a few things to consider before making that equipment choice:

• Again, Speed - are you going to go with 802.11b (11 Mbps) or 802.11g (54 Mbps) or MIMO technology (dual antennas) that can reach 108Mbps for your network or even 802.11n that is designed to reach 200Mbps (of course the slower the cheaper, the faster the more expensive)...
• Interference - it's important that before you purchase and implement your network that you consider possible sources of interference (if you don't, network performance will suffer and you'll be very unhappy!).  Physical sources of interference include:
  • Windows in brick wall - 2dB
  • Metal frame, glass wall into building - 6dB
  • Office wall - 6dB
  • Metal door in office wall - 6dB
  • Cinder wall - 4dB
  • Metal door in brick wall - 12.4dB
  • Brick wall next to metal door - 3dB

  And, if you have a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, you may have to change the channel of the phone (you'll see serious performance issues on your wireless network if this is a problem!).  If your phone can't change channels, you'll have to change the channel on the access point.  Most of the vendors can help you with this.

• Access Points and Signal Boosters, Adapters Too!  - Simply put, if you're going to connect your home wireless network to the Internet through a broadband cable modem or DSL connection, you'll need a wireless access point that not only serves as the "hub connection" for your devices but also as a router (basically a router provides a path from each PC - on your network - to the address you're going to on another network.  It also can perform some "firewall" or security functions as well as perform address translation so you can use any IP addressing scheme you'd like on your local, home network.).  If you've got a big house, or you want to work out by the pool, you'll need a signal booster or wireless bridge or stand alone access point as well.  The signal booster does just what it says, "boosts" the signal to extend the range of the wireless network, the bridge "bridges" the open "air" between your Ethernet device and the wireless LAN and a second access point will link to your gateway/router/access point to bring even more devices and systems into your wireless network.  Adapters of course, are the cards that you'll put in each PC (or even PDA) to access the network.   We strongly recommend that you choose your gateway/router/access point, stand alone access point/wireless bridge, booster and adapters from the same manufacturer - it will save you time, headaches and "finger pointing" if and when you have to call tech support with a problem.

  Web Home Office Reports

• Your PCs  - Remember that each PC must have a wireless adapter and that you are going to have to configure each PC to operate in that network - setting up file sharing, printer sharing and more!  Microsoft's Web site has helpful information.  We've included the link to their Broadband Networking page to get you started Microsoft's Broadband Networking Page.  We've also included the network area of Apple's OS X operating system to help Mac users understand more about networking and OS X MAC OS X Networking. Additionally, many of the manufacturers of the equipment (such as Linksys) have guides to help you in planning and implementing your network based on their technology.  Make sure you take the time to at least browse through before you make your purchases (save yourself hassles and shipping and driving costs!).  And finally, make sure your PCs are ready to network.  Do they have enough memory?  Hard drive space?  CPU power?  If not, you'll be disappointed, and it won't be a "network" problem at all!

So, ready to go?  Check out our review of manufacturers of wireless networks below.

If you just want to see what's out there, you can jump to our Wireless Networking Equipment matrix for all of the information.  As always, we've picked our favorites from each manufacturer - in this area, we've picked a favorite adapter and access point as well.  You can identify those devices by the ย symbol.

Additionally, we've priced out, for each vendor a 4 PC, 1 DSL/Cable gateway router/access point solution that includes 2 notebook PCs and 2 desktop PCs - 802.11g (54Mbps).  You can see the results in the pricing section for each vendor below.  We used "online" pricing and have used "mid-point" pricing, averaging out the prices from a number of retailers.

Wi-Fi Network Equipment Review

Wireless Home Networks*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)