this may be a stupid question, so excuse my lack of knowledge with wireless networks

if I am looking to pick up a wireless network to use for my connection, could I use a wireless routers? I know they sell receivers, but I figure if I wanted to setup my own network down the road a router would be better then.

8/17/2006 11:17:24 AM

do you mean that you want the "router" to repeat the signal with a stronger antenna on it than your wireless card? b/c otherwise if the router could reach it - your wireless card could reach it and you'd be online....

8/17/2006 11:20:34 AM

Get a wireless router, but first, you need to do a lot of reading to educate yourself on wireless routers and networking in general.

p.s. Don't read any more of this thread, you're about to get called some very creative names.

8/17/2006 11:22:11 AM

the answer is no. you need a wireless network card.

8/17/2006 12:24:03 PM

If you want to make an existing wireless network go farther and you have access to surplus IP addresses then get a Wireless Repeater such as DWLG710.

If you want to take an existing wireless network and connect an Ethernet network to it then get a Wireless Ethernet Bridge.

If you want to take and existing public wireless network on which you only have one IP address and do both of the above, I recommend the WTR54GS.

Feel free to mix and match.

8/17/2006 1:39:23 PM

I've used several routers that can easily be switched to AP mode.

8/17/2006 2:44:39 PM

If you already have a standard 4 port router you can get a Wireless Access point(I have the Linksys WAP11). It gives you the following options to use the device as:

Access Point
Access Point Client
Wireless Bridge
Wireless Bridge
Repeater

8/17/2006 2:50:59 PM