Wireless Laptop And Wired LAN?

[sjaguar13]

I have a network right now of 3 computers. All wired to an SMC switch. I just bought a laptop with a wireless card. I would like to be able to use it anywhere in my house, and I don't really want to upgrade all my network hardware. Is there something I can get that would let me use the wireless laptop with the wired LAN?

[Markoman01027]

Do you have a router?

Either purchase a router to share the internet and then connect it with a wireless access point or buy a wireless router with a built in switch

[kstatefan40]

You might try upgrading your switch to this wireless router / Access Point. It will plug right in to your existing cables and also provide Wireless access upon setup. This AP uses 802.11b, but is rock solid. A friend of mine has it and it is a very nice peice of hardware.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...124-105&depa=5

[sjaguar13]

A "wireless access point" is the thing I would need to use with my router?

[kstatefan40]

The router / Access Point I linked you to is both, you would replace out your current router with it. Just an Access Point will plug into your router, but I believe the setup would be easier with a built in one of the same brand.

-TT

[sjaguar13]

Is there anything cheaper than $50? I have three computers on the network and 2 are broken (the only working one is my brother's which I am using right now because he isn't home).

[glc]

That WAP11 is just a wireless access point, it's not a router. If you just want something to plug into your existing switch, that's about as cheap as it gets. You can find serviceable combo wireless access point/routers cheaper than that if you look and maybe play the rebate game - but that's reconfiguring your network.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...6260&CatId=373

[sjaguar13]

The thing from TigerDirect is just an access point and must be used with my existing router?

[glc]

No, that's a combo router/wireless access point with its own 4 port switch. You replace your router with it.