wired --> wireless

[TBolt A-10]

I'm posting here because this forum has the most traffic...hope that's cool Skuzz.

I'm going to move at the end of this month.  The new place has the same broadband connection that I have here - cable modem.  But, because of the layout of the house, I may be forced to set up a wireless "network" instead of the wired network that I've enjoyed here.

My question to you all is...if I switch to wireless, will it negatively affect my game play in AH?  Increased lag issues, maybe?  Other problems?

Is there a good wireless router that might help prevent some of these problems?

Thanks, as always, for the community's input.  

(would prefer to stay wired, but don't think it's going to happen)

[JB73]

i have heard it does not effect gameplay alot, but that is hearsay.

do a forum search on the subject, i know alot of security risks are associated, and there have been many conversations about it.

[Howitzer]

It doesn't affect gameplay for me, and it really shouldn't.  From a wireless standpoint you are only pushing packets across your LAN, and that will be insanely faster than any ISP can offer you on broadband.  There will be some security concerns if you don't want your neighbors surfing on your broadband connection.   Normally, if you turn on WEP, and use a good key, you won't have any problems.  Linksys and Netgear are both good and affordable, however I'm partial to linksys.  I'd be happy to answer any other questions you may have.. .just let me know.  There are some pretty bright eggs on this forum, someone will be able to give you a hand if you have trouble reaching the skuzzster.

[mipoikel]

I had to build wireless because of same reasons. No problems with it.

[Crispy]

I have no problems using wireless other than apon occasion you will want to "power off" the wireless unit for a min or so and restart it.  It store a bunch of junk in it that can hinder its perfomance and powering it off cleans its self out.

[Monster0]

Wired is a better connection then wireless.  But im not sure if u'll notice the difference when gaming.  Here's some simple steps in protecting and making sure u have a clear signal.  First find the ip gateway address.  By clicking start/ run / then type cmd.  When dos prompt comes up type ipconfig and hit enter.  For example linksys ip gateway is 192.168.1.1.   Bring up IE and enter 192.168.1.1 on address.  A logon screen will appear admin is the default password.  Either enter that on name or password.  Now u are talking 2 your router and should change the default settings.  First name your network  SSID.  Second change the channel from 6 to something else.  Because everything in your house that is wireless is using the 2.4 freq.   Cordless phones are famous for giving wireless connection problems.  So change the freq from 2.4 to 2.43 or something.  Next secure it by 64 or 128 bit wep key.  Also change the logon password and user name.  Once I connected all pc's 2 the wireless router, I disabled the broadcast so others can not even see it.

If u have a dsl modem u might have change your settings for it 2 setup as a bridge.  DSL modems and routers have the same ip address.  If u need more info on setting up your dsl modem as a bridge let me know and I'll try 2 walk u thru it.   Or just call your dsl tech support and they will.

[Heretik]

Make sure you install a quality wireless NIC.  I was stuck using a cheap-o USB wireless device for a long time, and I couldn't be more disgusted with the whole thing.  For me it was worth it to run wire instead.

[Icer]

You should see absolutely NO difference in any of your internet connections if the wireless router is set up properly. I use all Linksys gear normally, the WRT54G is a great Router and there are all kinds of neat firmware mods for it out there..

[Zanth]

Wireless works fine  As an experiement I once even played the old game from my car at a public hot spot.

WAP54G is a good access point - you can hook it up to you existing wired network and there are some nifty things it can do (like be a repeater or a bridge).

I just moved and now play the game with (ta-da!) T1 access.  My wireless setup is a WAP54G on the T1 equipment end and a Linksys WET11 at my game machine end.  I am now a city block away and communicating at 80% signal strength (as reported in the WET11 software) at an average 1.2 to 1.5 kbps up and down with zero lost packets.  I get the same network issues as anyone else though with Savis, just exactly the same as my previous directly wired DSL connect was, my pings are typically 50-70.

The WET11 is a nifty device the old ones have a very powerfull radio card.  The WAP54G has a radio that is adjustable to much much more power (it ships at reduced but FCC legal max power)  but that you must do at your own risk.   There is also now a Linksys set of 7db antennas that you can upgrade too, but I didnt need them (or any software/firmware tweaking) here with this setup.

[streetstang]

If anything it'll be fun for you to try and hack your own connection. You know. Just to see if you can and everything.

[JB88]

Originally posted by TBolt A-10
I'm posting here because this forum has the most traffic...hope that's cool Skuzz.

I'm going to move at the end of this month.  The new place has the same broadband connection that I have here - cable modem.  But, because of the layout of the house, I may be forced to set up a wireless "network" instead of the wired network that I've enjoyed here.

My question to you all is...if I switch to wireless, will it negatively affect my game play in AH?  Increased lag issues, maybe?  Other problems?

Is there a good wireless router that might help prevent some of these problems?

Thanks, as always, for the community's input.  

(would prefer to stay wired, but don't think it's going to happen)

i play on wireless.  no noticable difference...you can also set up boosters that will carry the signal farther.

[TBolt A-10]

Thanks for the GREAT input guys.  

I'm no longer worried about switching to wireless if I have to.

[Zanth]

Just remember you dont have go all wired or all wireless - they mix and match just fine (with an access point such as the WAP54G).  Where it is convenient go wired, where it isn't go radio, it is 100% flexable.

Enable some security though, at least WEP and disable SSID.  99% of hackers don't know how to break WEP ( it isnt hard though) and will more likely just move on to the other 5 open connections in your neighborhood.  #1 thing people forget is to assign a new password to the equipment, then they can just log into you equipment and change it as they like.

[airbumba]

Kinda on the same topic. When I get my new machine I'd like to run this one thru a router and run a second machine, so me and a pal can fly at the same time.

Is that going to slow the connection?( I have high speed cable, if that matters).

Thanks in advance for any help, .

[TBolt A-10]

Originally posted by airbumba
Kinda on the same topic. When I get my new machine I'd like to run this one thru a router and run a second machine, so me and a pal can fly at the same time.

Is that going to slow the connection?( I have high speed cable, if that matters).

Thanks in advance for any help, .

Sharing bandwidth is supposed to slow your connection down.  But, my roommates and I have been running 2 PC's on my cable modem connection for over 2 years, and I never noticed a difference.  Of course, I'm the AH pilot who uses the most bandwidth.    They just check email and look for pr0n pics when they're on the net.