tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430279.post114134298698833732..comments2009-09-02T16:39:07.174-04:00Comments on Runtime Log: Jumping on the Broadband WagonDave Delayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13462996160894645683noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430279.post-1141857688169151872006-03-08T17:41:00.000-05:002006-03-08T17:41:00.000-05:00Another thing worth mentioning is that it's pretty...Another thing worth mentioning is that it's pretty inexpensive to WiFi enable just about any desktop computer as well -- easier than running wires. We bought a WiFi USB dongle for an Dell desktop and it works great. Only caveat is that if you go the USB route, it's ideal if the computer supports USB 2.0. USB 1.1 works too but it limits network speed quite a bit.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07891935693405288952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430279.post-1141826672627885862006-03-08T09:04:00.000-05:002006-03-08T09:04:00.000-05:00Bob & Sylvain,I took a quick look at the specs for...Bob & Sylvain,<BR/><BR/>I took a quick look at the specs for the WRT54G and the DI-524. It looks like either one would be fine for my needs. I appreciate the tip about buying locally. At these prices, there's no sense struggling for hours to make something work when you can run to the store and try a different model.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Dave Delayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13462996160894645683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430279.post-1141759422248656392006-03-07T14:23:00.000-05:002006-03-07T14:23:00.000-05:00I got a D-Link DI-524 after reading an Extreme Tec...I got a D-Link DI-524 after reading an Extreme Tech benchmark on gaming-capable wireless routers. It seems a pretty cool product except...the one I got was defective and died on me after a few weeks. I've returned it and am waiting for a replacement. <BR/><BR/>It handled IPSec, which seemed more responsive than SSL for VPN access. I also learned the hard way that with some providers, you have to let your router answer pings of they just recycle your DHCP address after a while. Some routers are smart enough to renew it.<BR/><BR/>If you're interested in running a server at home, you might want to make sure your router can handle Dynamic DNS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430279.post-1141754257426869762006-03-07T12:57:00.000-05:002006-03-07T12:57:00.000-05:00I've had good luck with Linksys routers. My curren...I've had good luck with Linksys routers. My current router is a Linksys WRT54G wireless/wired model that works great. It does 802.11g (as well as 802.11b) and has four 10/100 MB connections on the back. Shop around at CompUSA, Staples, Office Max, etc. you can usually find a pretty good price. You can take a look at the manual on the Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007KDVI/sr=8-1/qid=1141753785/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-7872928-6932747?%5Fencoding=UTF8<BR/><BR/>One caveat: as with most things related to computer hardware, you'll hear the usual bi-modal distribution of opinions from "got it working in five minutes" to "this piece of sh*t still doesn't work after much struggle". So you mileage may vary, no matter which router you choose. And one reason to buy local is that if it doesn't work, take it back and try a different one. The biggest issues with wireless routers are usually:<BR/><BR/>1. Channel interference with other devices that use the 2.4 GHz spectrum -- sometimes the culprits are 24 Ghz cordless phones, sometimes a neighbor's wireless setup.<BR/><BR/>2. Configuring a VPN. Sometimes this "just works" and sometimes (rarely) it's a head scratcher.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07891935693405288952noreply@blogger.com