What desktop devices for wifi?

[Camed]

Hi everybody,

I can think of half a dozen ridiculous applications for a wi-fi connection between my xda2s and my PC, but I'm having problems determining what I need to buy on the PC side: access point, network adapter, wireless network card??
What do you think is the best/cheapest option?

Thanks,
Camed

[Rudegar]

i think that access points i'm not 100 sure cant connect to other devics and only be connected to from others

and i'm not really sure what you mean the difference between these 2 options are unless you mean network adapter to connect to the access point
" network adapter, wireless network card"

[Bonzo]

If you should choose to buy an access point, go for a AP with router funtionality.
The price is (should be) allmost the same..
This will allow you to share your broadband (if you got one) connection with both your XDA and your PC.
The phone via standard TP cable (or WLAN), and the phone through WLAN.
The way these will interact with each other, is just like two computers in a network (TCP/IP protocoll).

As for the network adapter and wireless card, these are the same thing..
The only difference is the way you connect them to your computer. (PCI, PCMCIA, USB, etc..)
With these you will be able to use Ad-Hoc, wich is just like a crossed TP cable between two computers.. Allso using the TCP/IP protocol..

As for price, a USB WLAN device should be the cheapest, at $30-$50..
The WLAN router is the most expencive component, priced from $100-$200 i guess..

DISCLAIMER: The prices are estimates! They may vary a lot! And they are based upon the 802.11g (54mbps) standard. 802.11b (11mbps) may be cheaper..

[dcs]

I have a wireless router (with 4 port lan) connected directly to my cable modem. It provides a lot of flexibility. For example, into the router I have plugged my main PC (upstairs), and a Bluetooth Access Point. Downstairs I use my wireless laptop and am able to be online through my broadband connection. I have an XDA II which does not have WiFi, but no matter, because I can use the bluetooth access point to get online. If any friends or family come with their PCs or Laptops, I just plug in either a wireless PCMCIA card into their laptops or a USB wireless adapter into their PCs and they too can get online. I also have a wireless printer server, which is great because I can print from any PC without the requirement of a different PC being logged in.

[AE]

I can suggest you a bit more advanced solution, specially if you have dedicated internet channel with ethernet cabble on your side (e.g. ADSL modem with ethernet connector or even TP cabble going to you from provider): just buy gateway with access point built in.
An additional benefits of this approach are permanent internet availability via WiFi even if desctop PC is powered off and easy creation of secured SOHO (Small Office or Home Network) infrastructure.

There are a number of such devices. Most of them will provide you with similar functionality:
- one "WAN" ethernet port (where you connect twisted pair from your provider or ADSL);
- usually 4 "LAN" ports where you may connect all your home computers or just make network outlets in different rooms :)
- WiFi access point built in
- DHCP server for LAN clients headache'less connectivity, NAT server, Firewall (WAN to LAN, LAN to WAN, WLAN to LAN etc) with IP and URL filtering and different tunelling presets, DNS proxy and a lot of flexibility in creation of different virtual servers.
- almost all firewall settings may be scheduled allowing you to restrict the time your family wil play online games ;)
- supports modern strong WiFi encryption and authorisation with WPA or WPA/SK protocols

For example I can suggest Asus WL 500g (which is I bought)
http://www.asuscom.ru/products/communication/wireless/wl-500g/overview.shtml

Cheap enough ($90), flexible, stylish and with number of additional features. With firmware sources available. Print server and FTP/Webcam server (optional)
But: 802.11b/g only, have no built-in battery for internal clock working while device is turned off. Internal clock are automatically sinchronized with external time server when it become available after power-on.

Or another solution, D-Link DI-784 (my office WiFi infrastructure based on this device):
-802.11 a/b/g
-have built-in AC-independent clock
-a bit more powerfull transiver
but more expensive ($200)
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=299

As I said above there are a number of such devices on the market, but I deal with these two only...