I just got a laptop and I am learning a little bit about them. Somebody said that I should get a wireless internet card. I got a router I have not used it yet but I have seen people with routers and I did't see a card. I sure that wireless is what it is but what is the range with a wireless card.
2007-02-15 11:08:37 · 5 answers · asked by Afrolicious35 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
What is wireless networking?
Wireless networking is the use of radio frequency signals to connect portable workstations - such as laptops or PDAs - to an Ethernet LAN. The present standard for wireless Ethernet used by Fuqua is called 802.11b and specifies an 11 Megabit/second data transmission rate.
Today's wireless networks are composed of two primary components, an access point and a wireless adapter. An access point converts the "wired" Ethernet signals to radio waves and are typically installed in ceilings or mounted high in a wall. The wireless adapter looks and acts like a regular Ethernet card but the antenna protrudes slightly from the laptop and the battery life of the laptop is slightly decreased.
What's the range of the signal?
802.11b wireless networking has a range of about 300 meters in a large open space, such as an auditorium, and about 100 meters in a typical indoor office environment. Transmission speeds decrease as the distance between the portable workstation and the access point increases.
So what will it cost me?
If you wish to install a wireless network in your home, some vendors, such as NetGear or D-Link, make an access point suitable for residential networking that is priced around $250.
PCMCIA wireless networking cards for laptops range from $100 to $250. Make certain that you buy a card that's 802.11b-compliant. Older 802.11 cards won't work with Fuqua's wireless environment.
What areas on Fuqua’s campus have wireless access points?
Access points have been installed throughout Fuqua at the following locations:
East Mallway
Fox Center Winter Garden
Main Lab
Library
2nd Floor East Team Rooms
2 East Lab
Thomas Center
Can I register a fixed IP address on the Wireless Network?
No. The Wireless Network was established to facilitate mobile, wireless computing where the emphasis is on availability of networking assets in a dynamic environment. Fixed IP address assignment runs counter to this purpose.
What PCMCIA wireless cards are supported?
Any 802.11b-compliant card should work, but we recommend you choose from the following list:
o Nortel/Symbol E-Mobility Wireless LAN
o Cisco's Aironet
o Dell TruMobile 1150 Series Mini PCI Card for Windows XP
o 3Com's AirConnect Wireless
2007-02-15 11:16:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Normal range they say is roughly 750 to 1000 feet. A lot of it depends on where the router is in relation to you, how many walls or other obstructions it must go through to reach you. If your laptop is new it is very likely that it is built in, normally they run the antenna for such cards along the screens frame, inside the casing of course. If you have a wireless router all you would need to do is set up a network ID that will broadcast out, a set up disk that came with your router would help you in that department. After you have set up a wireless network you would then be able to wirelessly connect to that network on your laptop by entering in the corresponding information with the router.
2007-02-15 11:19:27 · answer #2 · answered by prmaples 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a new laptop the wireless card is built in and you don't need to buy one. The card is the network interface for a wireless network. The effective range of a wireless network interface is really dependant on the power of the wireless radio it is trying to attach to and what is in the way of the signal. Safe to say they work within a house if the router is centrally located.
2007-02-15 11:16:05 · answer #3 · answered by sjj571 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the wireless card allows you to connect to a network without using an rj45 cable. The range varies depending on what is in the way, and the protocol being used, but it could be anywhere between 30-500 feet.
You would of course need a wireless access point or router, and you would need to configure it so it was secure. There are various protocols and numerous ways to secure a wireless network.
2007-02-15 11:17:41 · answer #4 · answered by Maynard_J_Krebs 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would ask this question to the person who u baught it from, or you can go to the king of trade and buy a lap top that has internet on it, if you need any help ask the king of trade.
2016-03-29 08:10:08 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋