Re: Ad-hoc wireless network - does this work?

Since your desktop already has a NIC built in I think you'd be as well off
to buy a wireless router instead of a wireless NIC. Most new laptops
incorporate 802.11b/g wireless in them already so you'd only have one item
to buy.

With the wireless router AP, you have a device that offers additional
protection with an internal firewall. Your cable modem will plug into its
WAN port and your desktop can plug into one of its wired switch ports. The
wireless router will support DHCP so both your desktop and laptop will be
able to obtain an address automatically from the router. Also, your
laptop has connectivity even when your desktop is off. Finally, you can
more easily relocate the router to cover a deadspot than your desktop.

Many wireless routers now support WPA encryption which is said to be more
secure than WEP which has been the standard for some time. Even with the
firewall in the router, I strongly recommend a firewall such as Zone Alarm
on each machine. By going with the router, you can increase your security
by an order of magnitude as security works in layers and the more layers
you add, the stronger it is. Even if you weren't planning to buy another
computer, a router of some sort with a firewall is still a good idea as it
keeps your machine from being directly exposed to the Internet.

HTH,

- Nate >>

--

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds,
the pessimist fears this is true."