Wireless networking question

ok, here’s what I’d like to do. I’d like to connect the cable modem directly to my machine so there’s no worries about hosting game servers and things of that sort. But I also want to create a wireless shared network. Would this product allow me to do that?

http://dlink.com/products/?pid=10#

It’s the D-Link DWL-2000AP. Could I just plug the modem into one NIC in my machine, then plug this in to the other NIC in my machine (I already know how to share the connection)? Then slap in wireless adapters to my other machines (such as a Apple G4, a 2nd pc, maybe an Xbox and a laptop someday)? I don’t want to go with a wireless router because I want my machine to be plugged in directly.

Thanks.

Don’t do that. Its not safe. Deal with port forwarding. For the love of God, Montresor, brick your PC up behind a hardware firewall. Its not that hard to do. It works.

It’s the D-Link DWL-2000AP. Could I just plug the modem into one NIC in my machine, then plug this in to the other NIC in my machine (I already know how to share the connection)? Then slap in wireless adapters to my other machines (such as a Apple G4, a 2nd pc, maybe an Xbox and a laptop someday)? I don’t want to go with a wireless router because I want my machine to be plugged in directly.

In my opinion, you’re doing this the wrong way. However, if you know how to share a connection, then yes, what you’re doing there would work.

But its wrong! Wrong I tell you! Your PC will be hacked! HACKED! Turned into a plaything for pimply faced youths! They will soil the very tool that gives you hours of enjoyment, and you don’t want that to happen, do you?

Wow, not often you see a Cask of Amontillado (or any other non-“Raven” Poe works, for that matter) referenced around these parts.

I’m going to be installing the Linksys Wireless-G router (WRT54G) and wireless adapter for the notebook tomorrow. I hear great things about this product, and I will probably keep the XBox hardwired to the router until I pick up another wireless adapter for that down the road.

Thanks for the info. I know that not having my computer behind a firewall can be risky, but I had too many problems trying to host different games with my last router. I’ve always been able to get the newer games to work with port forwarding, but the main ones we play now are Icewind Dale and Civ 2. I couldn’t get either to work. Starlancer is another one. If somebody knows how to do these games behind a NAT router, that would help but it was driving me crazy to keep redoing everything just to host these games.

Some of the newer routers support Universal Plug and Play (UPnP). If you use one of those, it will open outgoing ports automatically when Windows apps request it (assuming you’re running XP).

You could get a router with DMZ capability. That provides what amounts to “default port forwarding for everything” to a specific computer.

http://www.linksys.com/tech_helper/advanced.html

DMZ Hosting (Demilitarized Zone)

DMZ Hosting allows one user to be exposed to the Internet, bypassing the Router’s firewall security while the rest of the network remains protected.

The DMZ feature exposes a single PC outside the firewall. If you are trying to run video-conferencing or programs that require 10 ports or more to be opened, use the DMZ feature.

Various routers have this capability.

Then, you don’t have to do any internet connection sharing on a PC, and don’t need 2 network cards.

for some reason the DMZ feature didn’t work with my DLink 704 Router. I would have to unhook the router and plug my machine in directly when I wanted to host. then my fiancee couldn’t get online

That D-Link 704 is from 2 years ago. The concept is good, I suspect there was something wrong with the router.

I have a Linksys (BEFW11S4) and haven’t had any troubles using the DMZ. I had to enable it in order to stay connected while playing Planetside (couldn’t find the right ports to forward). Easy to set up and turn off; but I have manually set up the IP’s on each machine.

Anyone have any thoughts on the D Link 514 wireless router? 802.11b wireless (should be fine for my use). Does it have the UPnP that was mentioned? I can’t seem to find out about that. I’m nervous about going with another D link router after my experience with the last one’s DMZ stuff.

If it doesn’t work, reserve the right to take it back.

The main good thing for you about a router is that the other people in your household won’t have to deal with you rebooting your computer and losing their internet access.

That D Link looks sketchy. Do people think that a proper DMZ implementation and the UPnP would help me get around the problems I was having with certain games from behind the firewall? Here are a few choices I found…

http://linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=544
http://www.microsoft.com/catalog/display.asp?subid=22&site=11399

they both look pretty good and cost about the same. The D Link is on sale at the moment at Best Buy but it looks to be lacking in some features.

So try the D-Link. It will probably work. If not, get something else.

This is quite probably an idiotic question, but are wireless networks only vulnerable to hacking from somewhere close? Meaning does someone have to be in the immediate neighborhood to properly hack into a wireless network, or does going wireless expose you to wahoos from all over the planet?

I know nearly nothing about networking, but I’m about to take the plunge as I’ll soon have an additional PC hooked up for my wife and will need to network them for DSL and, um, my gaming. I want to go wireless because I’ve got a lot of hallway separating the two offices, and also want to hook up my PS2 and Xbox, which are downstairs and on the other side of my house. I’m in a small town on a big lot with older people living all around me, so I’m not worried about the kid next door hacking into my network.

Anyhow, if anyone’s got advice on what to buy and how to set it up, I’d love to hear it. I’m a complete newbie with this stuff.

Just yahoos in the immediate distance, and there are ways to secure your wireless network to prevent afore mentioned people from getting at your personal porn collection.

Anyhow, if anyone’s got advice on what to buy and how to set it up, I’d love to hear it. I’m a complete newbie with this stuff.

Get a combo router/wireless network access port. Lots of those around. Be aware that wireless stuff is still radio, and depending on your house, phase of the moon, and solar flares, it may or may not work well. :-)

I don’t know about the D Link 514, but the wireless router I mentioned in my first post has UPnP and DMZ.

The router I have has the capability to not broadcast its own ID (SSID for those that know router terminology.) I also turned on WEP for 128 bit encryption and each machine I’m connecting has its own MAC address and I’m limiting the router to giving only those access. I have it locked up pretty tight.

Here’s a wireless network question for ya… We’re thinking of shuffling my office downstairs (we’re in a “raised ranch”, where the bottom half of the downstairs level is below ground) in order to turn my office into a playroom.

I currently have my router upstairs, and it has good reach throughout the house. Anyone have a wireless router set up downstairs in their house? I know that the higher I have the router (antenna) currently, the better the coverage upstairs. If I put it downstairs, I’m wondering how well the upstairs will be covered.

Just yahoos in the immediate distance, and there are ways to secure your wireless network to prevent afore mentioned people from getting at your personal porn collection.[/quote]

Sorta.

But if you’re as new to networking as it sounds, you probably need to know that just because you’re wireless connection is secured from the yahoo in the immediate distance, it does not necessarily mean you’re safe from attacks on the Internet at large. There are two different things you need to secure: your wireless network and your internet connection. For the Interent connection, you want a good hardware firewall, remember not to enable file sharing on the Internet device, and set your machine to automatically download and install security updates.