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[Auto Addict]

My PC is connected to broadband with a ADSL modem.

If I want to make a wireless connection to my laptop, do I need a modem router on my PC and a USB adaptor on my laptop, or can I just plug in a USB adaptor on my PC and another on my laptop?

PC runs XP home edition, laptop run 2k professional.

[supermop]

You can setup a WAP (wireless access point) on your PC using your wireless adapter, and share the internet connection. A wireless USB dongle or PCIMA card on the laptop will be able to connect to that no problem.

[Taxi_Driver]

Yes you could do it that way, use a peer to peer wireless network from you laptop to your desktop, and let the pc route for internet.

Or i think a better way is a wireless ADSL router and a 54g card in the laptop (pcmcia preferable to USB)
and a 54g pci card in the desktop.

Doing it the firstway the pc always needs to be on for the laptop to access the internet

Nice to see your back AA  

[Auto Addict]

Thanks for the info guys, the USB dongle seems to be the cheapest way, I'm not bothered about the PC being on.

Another question, do the dongles have encryption capabilities?

[Taxi_Driver]

Thanks for the info guys, the USB dongle seems to be the cheapest way, I'm not bothered about the PC being on.

Another question, do the dongles have encryption capabilities?

I would have thought 64 bit or 128bit was possible.....tho never tried computer to computer connecting!

Another advantage of using an ADSL wireless router.....depending on make of course....you usually get a decent firewall as part of it as well  

How much are usb 54g wireless? £20-£25 each?
You could have a adsl wireless router, 1 pcmcia 54g card and a pci card for around £100

Ask Mrs Santa Claus  

[TheBoy]

AA - do not use WEP (so any reference to 40bit, 64bit, 128bit encryption). WEP is very broken and entirely insecure.

Most PC adapters in Ad-hoc mode (ie PC to PC) cannot do WPA (a more secure form of encryption, not yet hacked).

My recommendation would be a wireless ADSL router that can support WPA or WPA2.  Make sure the client device supports WPA as well (can't remember if your laptop will take a mini pci card such as Intel 2200BG or 2915ABG, as this would be neatest solution).

[Auto Addict]

AA - do not use WEP (so any reference to 40bit, 64bit, 128bit encryption). WEP is very broken and entirely insecure.

Most PC adapters in Ad-hoc mode (ie PC to PC) cannot do WPA (a more secure form of encryption, not yet hacked).

My recommendation would be a wireless ADSL router that can support WPA or WPA2.  Make sure the client device supports WPA as well (can't remember if your laptop will take a mini pci card such as Intel 2200BG or 2915ABG, as this would be neatest solution).

Thanks for the info, yes the laptop will take a mini pci card.

[Markjay]

I would say swap the ADSL router with a unit that has built-in 4-port Hub and WiFi, then hook-up the desktop PC directly to the new Router using a standard network patch lead, and use a USB WiFi adapter for the laptop.

See for example:

http://www.misco.co.uk/ssinfo/~94912~WW~/
http://www.misco.co.uk/ssinfo/~94449~/

[Auto Addict]

I would say swap the ADSL router with a unit that has built-in 4-port Hub and WiFi, then hook-up the desktop PC directly to the new Router using a standard network patch lead, and use a USB WiFi adapter for the laptop.

See for example:

http://www.misco.co.uk/ssinfo/~94912~WW~/
http://www.misco.co.uk/ssinfo/~94449~/

As I do my banking online, will this solution provide me with total security?

[Markjay]

Yes it will.

And, at any rate, any potential hacker will have to be parked in your drive - unless it's your next door neighbour... The range on the WiFi devices is nothing like what is says on the box.

If you have concerns however, or if the location of the laptop will prevent good WiFi reception, you can also consider the more pricey option of Ethernet over Mains:

2 x http://www.misco.co.uk/ssinfo/~104749~WW~/
  or
1 x http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46494

This obviously means that the laptop will have to be positioned near a wall socket, so no working from the garden in the summer...

[TheBoy]

Yes it will.

And, at any rate, any potential hacker will have to be parked in your drive - unless it's your next door neighbour... The range on the WiFi devices is nothing like what is says on the box.

If you have concerns however, or if the location of the laptop will prevent good WiFi reception, you can also consider the more pricey option of Ethernet over Mains:

2 x http://www.misco.co.uk/ssinfo/~104749~WW~/
  or
1 x http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46494

This obviously means that the laptop will have to be positioned near a wall socket, so no working from the garden in the summer...

Unless you filter at consumer unit, security of mains devices is not that special as it will be presented to other houses close by.

Anything supporting WPA is deemed secure, and get double encrypted again as soon as you go https on your bank's site...

I personally use Linksys Access Points, and Intel mini PCI cards in laptop (neater solution than USB or PCMCIA devices, but relies on the laptop manufacturer already running aerial inside machine (usually a balck and a white wire in mini pci slot cover))

[Markjay]

This is true.

However, while Ethernet over Mains is not encrypted/protected in any way, this solution does remove the element of risk from an opportunist hacker with a laptop standing under your window, and pretty much limits it to actual neighbours with a similar AC modulator device… which for home banking is pretty secure.

I do agree that WiFi is a secure solution as pointed at the beginning of my post, and at any rate the Ethernet over Mains solution works-out more expensive so not my first recommendation anyway, but some people are uneasy about WiFi and the Ethernet over Mains does resolve worries regarding hackers with laptops.

Also, when coverage is not enough due the location of the WiFi devices in the house (new houses tend to have more bricks than wood for internal walls), the options are either using Range Extenders (which from my experience do not always work that well), or looking at an alternative to WiFi which is either wired Ethernet or Ethernet-over Mains.

Soon this will all be history though as we will all be on Wimax….  

[Auto Addict]

This is true.

However, while Ethernet over Mains is not encrypted/protected in any way, this solution does remove the element of risk from an opportunist hacker with a laptop standing under your window, and pretty much limits it to actual neighbours with a similar AC modulator device… which for home banking is pretty secure.

I do agree that WiFi is a secure solution as pointed at the beginning of my post, and at any rate the Ethernet over Mains solution works-out more expensive so not my first recommendation anyway, but some people are uneasy about WiFi and the Ethernet over Mains does resolve worries regarding hackers with laptops.

Also, when coverage is not enough due the location of the WiFi devices in the house (new houses tend to have more bricks than wood for internal walls), the options are either using Range Extenders (which from my experience do not always work that well), or looking at an alternative to WiFi which is either wired Ethernet or Ethernet-over Mains.

Soon this will all be history though as we will all be on Wimax….  

Now you're starting to do my head in.....

[Markjay]

Now you're starting to do my head in.....

A wireless router is the way to go, and with encryption will also be safe for Internet banking...

[Auto Addict]

Now you're starting to do my head in.....

A wireless router is the way to go, and with encryption will also be safe for Internet banking...

Cheers MJ