Wireless Network
 

'Tis a week for computer problems for me; obviously not enough work to do.....

I have a wireless network system, and it's giving me problems! The network is a desktop (ADSL connected via a USB modem) and two laptops. The desktop and one laptop are running WinXP Home, the other laptop has 98SE. A Linksys WRT54G wireless router is wired to the desktop, the XP laptop has a Belkin 802.11g card, and the 98 laptop has a Buffalo 802.11b card. The network is encrypted and WEP-enabled. No firewalls are running except on the desktop's internet connection.

The problem is that the XP laptop will only remain connected to the network for about 3 minutes before it drops the connection, and won't automatically reconnect. I removed Belkin's own card management software as I found Windows' own easier to understand (and I don't need any more junk in the Systray!), but I've not found any cure for this predicament.

Second problem is I'd like to allow internet connection sharing, but it seems this is impossible with the set up I have. Who makes an ethernet ADSL modem that I can connect directly to the router - or is their a solution with my current kit? Perhaps I should have bought a Wireless Access Point rather than a Router!

Incidentally, the 98 laptop with the 802.11b card works just fine.

Cheers

I've always had problems with networks and different OS. Win98 has never worked on an XP network for me! Maybe if you upgraded Win98 to XP. Although I'm sure someone can help, if so I'm interested to know too.

Scroggs:

There are now many ethernet based routers/modems on the market, some supporting wireless.

There was an article in July's edition of Personal Computer World about the new LinkSys box which allows you to hide your wireless network - if nobody who isn't in the know can see it, no opportunistic WEP hacks are likely.

Try www.dslshop.co.uk or any of the big mail order types like Watford Electronics or Insight.

- SSC

There are 3 separate issues here.

1. Why you can't do Internet sharing.

The modem/your ISP can only handle one IP address. This is presently your PC so no other devices can get access.

Your Linksys router has to be between your modem and the rest of the network with DHCP enabled (and your log-on information). It will then appear as a single PC to the rest of the world and you can hang as many PCs as you want off the back of it. It hasn't got a firewall, but you can limit access to your laptop MAC addresses.

2. How to connect the router to the USB modem.

There are various USB to ethernet convertors ( see here, but ensuring it works and there are no problems is problematical. personally, I'd advise getting a new UTP/ethernet modem. Depends if you want to take the chance and spend around £70 instead of £25. e.g. Modem

I'd speak to the Lanshop and see what they say.

3. Why your present system drops the laptop link.

Windows XP authentication has caused problems with the WRT54G, with several reports of dropped links. Try disabling the authentication and see if it stops happening. If so, try altering the WEP settings and/or see if you can download a firmware upgrade.

KYGMSY - the Win98-equipped laptop works perfectly. I'm not going to fix what isn't broke!

SSC - I have a perfectly serviceable wireless router in the WRT54G. My [second] question was 'Who makes an ethernet ADSL modem that I can connect directly to the router - or is there a solution with my current kit?'. But thanks for the link!

ORAC - Iwas pretty sure that shared internet access would not be possible with my current setup, but you never know when someone might have a clever workaround! I think the sensible answer to that problem is a Linksys BEFCMU10 Etherfast ethernet/USB modem. I'll try disabling the authentications and see what happens with the network; I had suspected that the solution may be in that direction - unfortunately my firmware is fully up to date, so no help there!

Thanks all.

For interest, as I'm new to Wireless Networking I started with low cost D-Link (Low Performance too!) equipment - Styled "Airplus".

An ADSL Modem/Router (604+) goes into a 5-way Switch (1005D) and thence into local workstations via UTP. Also in use is the 604's wireless option to another worksation and a laptop. They use DWL 520+ and a 650+ respectively.

As long as I am using the wireless link it seems to hold together very well. But if I go a way for an hour or two (eg watching Henman at Wimbledon) when I come back the wireless link is broken! All it takes is to reboot the 604+ to get the connection back.

This is all at 11b standard of course. I'm sort of impressed but not quite. :\

Scroggs, do yourself a favour and get one of these: Netgear DG824M Wireless ADSL Router ( which if you purchase it now will also come with a 'free' MA401 )

Once installed networking your computers together, via RJ45 cable and / or wireless, will be a no brainer.

You will also have a hardware firewall to protect your computers and the facility to VPN through it from external locations.

All this for £144 !

Ps. I've purchased kit from DSL Source loads of times and I am more than happy to recommend them ( nb. I am NOT affiliated to them in any way ).

Rgds,

Tony