Adding Computers to an Existing Wireless Network / Speed and Reliability Issues

Hi All,

At home, we currently have a WRT54G wireless router set-up on our main
computer (which also has an internet connection). We then have another
computer which has a NIC (I think that's the correct terminology) with
a little antenna connected to it. These two computers 'talk' to each
over the wireless network, and share internet, files, and the printer.

I have two questions about this network:

1) We would like to add another desktop computer to this network. Does
this involve simply purchasing another wireless NIC for the new
computer? If so, is it any NIC, or does it have to be one specifically
for the WRT54G wireless router?

2) The other question relates to speed and reliability. When nobody is
using the main computer, then using the internet on the secondary
computer is very fast, and barely drops out (when it does drop out,
within a few seconds, it has re-established connection). Problems
arise when someone is using the main computer for the internet. Not
only is the speed unbearably slow, but it frequently drops out. You
really cannot use the secondary computer for the internet at all,
which as you can imagine, is very annoying.

Can anyone help with either of the above issues. I suspect the first
is a much simpler answer than the second.

Thanks in advance,

Ilan

On 11 Feb 2007 15:03:48 -0800, "ilan" <ilangutman@hotmail.com> wrote in
<1171235028.306709.318660@p10g2000cwp.googlegroups .com>:

>At home, we currently have a WRT54G wireless router set-up on our main
>computer (which also has an internet connection). We then have another
>computer which has a NIC (I think that's the correct terminology) with
>a little antenna connected to it. These two computers 'talk' to each
>over the wireless network, and share internet, files, and the printer.
>
>I have two questions about this network:
>
>1) We would like to add another desktop computer to this network. Does
>this involve simply purchasing another wireless NIC for the new
>computer? If so, is it any NIC, or does it have to be one specifically
>for the WRT54G wireless router?

No real way to tell unless you can be more specific about how your
existing wireless network is set up. Is it Infrastructure or Ad Hoc?
Is the main computer a gateway or a client? Are you running ICS on the
main computer? What is the Internet connection type and speed? What
Internet apps are you using?

>2) The other question relates to speed and reliability. When nobody is
>using the main computer, then using the internet on the secondary
>computer is very fast, and barely drops out (when it does drop out,
>within a few seconds, it has re-established connection).

What does "drop out" mean? It shouldn't be doing anything like that at
all.

>Problems
>arise when someone is using the main computer for the internet. Not
>only is the speed unbearably slow, but it frequently drops out. You
>really cannot use the secondary computer for the internet at all,
>which as you can imagine, is very annoying.
>
>Can anyone help with either of the above issues. I suspect the first
>is a much simpler answer than the second.

Hard to say without more information.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Hi John,

Please see the response to your questions below...

> No real way to tell unless you can be more specific about how your
> existing wireless network is set up. Is it Infrastructure or Ad Hoc?
> Is the main computer a gateway or a client? Are you running ICS on the
> main computer? What is the Internet connection type and speed? What
> Internet apps are you using?

Unfortunately, I cannot answer most of these questions. Initially, we
had one computer which was running cable internet (this will be
changed to DSL as we have recently moved). We then purchased another
computer, and wanted to network them wirelessly. We had someone
install the network for us, but as far as I can recall, it involved
installing the router on the main computer, and what I believe must be
a NIC to communicate with the router. I don't know about
Infrastructure or Ad Hoc, gateway or client, or whether we are running
ICS. It would essentailly whatever came out of the box... As far as
Internet apps go, nothing out of the ordinary. Really just Internet
Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Live Mail, and we have Kasperskey
Security Centre which needs to get updates from the net. I believe
that's all of them...

> What does "drop out" mean? It shouldn't be doing anything like that at
> all.

By "drop out", I mean that the wireless connection will disconnect
momentarily, and then reconnect. I initially believed that it was
because of the distance between the two computers and walls which were
making the signal very weak, although then I noticed that is happened
MUCH less when nobody was using the other computer, which leads me to
believe that it is a problem that can/should be fixed.

Thanks,

Ilan

On 11 Feb 2007 16:53:55 -0800, "ilan" <ilangutman@hotmail.com> wrote in
<1171241635.436860.318650@a34g2000cwb.googlegroups .com>:

>> No real way to tell unless you can be more specific about how your
>> existing wireless network is set up. Is it Infrastructure or Ad Hoc?
>> Is the main computer a gateway or a client? Are you running ICS on the
>> main computer? What is the Internet connection type and speed? What
>> Internet apps are you using?
>
>Unfortunately, I cannot answer most of these questions.

Unfortunately then, I cannot really do a good job of helping you.

>Initially, we
>had one computer which was running cable internet (this will be
>changed to DSL as we have recently moved). We then purchased another
>computer, and wanted to network them wirelessly. We had someone
>install the network for us,

Who was the someone? Didn't that someone write anything down? Can't
that someone fix this problem?

>but as far as I can recall, it involved
>installing the router on the main computer, and what I believe must be
>a NIC to communicate with the router.

What kind of cable connects the "main computer" to the router? What
does it plug into on the main computer? What is the label next to where
it plugs into on the router?

>I don't know about
>Infrastructure or Ad Hoc, gateway or client, or whether we are running
>ICS.

That's essential information.

>It would essentailly whatever came out of the box... ...

No, it would be however that someone set it up.

>> What does "drop out" mean? It shouldn't be doing anything like that at
>> all.
>
>By "drop out", I mean that the wireless connection will disconnect
>momentarily, and then reconnect.

How do you know that? Are there messages? If so, what are they
(exactly, repeat, exactly)?

>I initially believed that it was
>because of the distance between the two computers and walls which were
>making the signal very weak, although then I noticed that is happened
>MUCH less when nobody was using the other computer, which leads me to
>believe that it is a problem that can/should be fixed.

That means nothing. Wireless errors only occur when the wireless is
actually being used.

How much distance and how many walls? Do you still have the problem if
you bring the other computer into the same room as the wireless router?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF SUPPORT [Based on a true story]

HOTLINE: Cut-rate Computers -- we cut corners to give you cut-rate
prices -- how may I help you?

CALLER: My computer won't work!

HOTLINE: What seems to be the problem?

CALLER: It won't work.

HOTLINE: What do you see on your screen?

CALLER: Nothing.

HOTLINE: Is the screen dark?

CALLER: No.

HOTLINE: What does it look like?

CALLER: Black.

HOTLINE: OK -- are there any lights on the front of the system unit?

CALLER: I have no idea.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: What's a system unit?

HOTLINE: That's the other big box that you got from the computer store.
Are there any lights?

CALLER: No.

HOTLINE: Try pushing the power button. That's the round button right in
the middle.

CALLER: Nothing.

HOTLINE: Are you sure it's plugged in?

CALLER: Of course I am -- what do you take me for?

HOTLINE: Calm down, sir. Please humor me just to be sure.

CALLER: I can't tell for sure.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: I can't tell.

HOTLINE: Look around behind the system unit -- er, the big box -- and
see if there's a cord plugged into the wall.

CALLER: I still can't tell.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: It's too dark.

HOTLINE: Turn on a light.

CALLER: Can't do that.

HOTLINE: Why not?

CALLER: The power has been out for over an hour.

[long silence]

<<>>
--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On 11 Feb 2007 16:53:55 -0800, in alt.internet.wireless , "ilan"
<ilangutman@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Unfortunately, I cannot answer most of these questions. Initially, we
>had one computer which was running cable internet (this will be
>changed to DSL as we have recently moved). We then purchased another
>computer, and wanted to network them wirelessly. We had someone
>install the network for us, but as far as I can recall, it involved
>installing the router on the main computer, and what I believe must be
>a NIC to communicate with the router.

You mean that he installed a wireless router between the cable modem
and the computer. Correct?

And you can use the internet on the 2nd computer, even when the first
one is switched off?

There's a cable running from the router to the cable modem?

The first computer also has a cable going to the router, but no
wireless NIC?

The second computer only has a wireless NIC?

If this is correct, it sounds like a standard network config. You can
connect your 3rd computer either via an ethernet cable to the router,
or via wireless.

--
Mark McIntyre

Hi Mark,

Sorry about the delay, didn't realise this post was still active.
Thanks very much for your comments - answered exactly what I needed to
know.

Thanks,

Ilan