What hardware should i purchase for this desired setup?

Alright, so i'm about to make an important purchase.

I'm moving into a new home where there will be three computers. One is wired and the other two are wireless laptops. I have a Playstation 3 and I want to utilize it as a media center using its wireless. I would also like a router that is good for online gaming. Finally, I would like to have a separate storage space which can be accessed by any of the three computers in the house via wireless where all our media can be stored. I would like to be able to utilize this media on the Playstation 3 as well. What type of hardware should i be looking at? What type of setup is recommended? And since i'm fairly new to wireless networking, what important things should i keep my eye out for in regards to setup?

I don't want to purchase a router to find out that it is incapable of one of these things that i want to use it for. I figured that a forum like this would be filled with people willing to throw some knowledge at me. Any input here would be appreciated. Thanks!



-ed

You want Port Forwarding or the ability to create a DMZ. Most routers have both.

AKA NAS; Network Attached Storage. Set up a drive on one of your computers and share it. Or buy a server. Note that I start with the highest price and work down to the lowest, the affordable stuff is on page 3 and higher:

NAS at NEWEGG

I will not buy any product with RP-SMA connectors. Stupid little fragile things around my vast well-fed self - no. RP-TNC connectors for their physical robustness.

What's the difference between setting up NAS and setting up and sharing a cheaper external hard drive?

Alright. How about this one:

Router (still undecided)

HP Media Server Amazon.com: HP EX475 MediaSmart Home Server (AMD Live, Windows Home Server, 1 TB Hard Drive): Electronics

I'd connect the Media Server to my router and enjoy media from the laptops, desktop, and PS3. Are there any flaws in that plan? And if not, any recommendations on a router?

I have 3 Linksys WRT54Gs, about to buy 2 more.

NAS is a big expensive box with hard drives, and another copy of Windows. It adds network storage. It's for people who want a plug and play solution. People who have a toolkit consisting of two screwdrivers and a pair of pliers. From the 7-11.

For those of us who pop the hood and fiddle all about, just get a big hard drive and add it to a computer that is always on. Share the hard drive. Does the same thing. Bill Gates doesn't need the money.