|
|
|
|
Belkin Wireless USB Network Adapter
March 12, 2003 Computer networks aren’t just for big business any more. There are many advantages to networking two or more computers, and these days it’s mostly pretty easy to do. Some of the advantages of setting up a network are the ability to share files directly between computers, share printers, use one connection to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) to simultaneously surf the Web with two or more computers, share other peripherals such as scanners, CD-R/DVD-R (CD-ROM/DVD recordable) drives and digital cameras, and to indulge in multiplayer computer games. Although there are several methods available for networking computers, we think wireless networking, though somewhat more expensive and fussier to implement, provides a convenient and flexible option. The 802.11b wireless specification standard implemented a few years ago has become very popular because it allows interoperability between various products, relatively low cost, reasonable transfer speeds up to 10 Mbps (million bits per second), and reasonable range (up to 180 feet). Newer implementations can transfer files up to 22 Mbps. Walls and other intervening structures will decrease both range and transfer rate. A very simple "ad-hoc" mode wireless network can be created by adding a wireless adapter to each computer you want to network. These could be a USB connected device or, if a laptop, a PC card device. And, with a laptop, you’re free to roam around in a limited area--to your bedroom or patio, for instance--and all computers can still share files and printers. In the "ad-hoc" mode, all the computers communicate directly with each other and share files and peripherals. Wireless networking can be set up in an "infrastructure" mode, in which you’ll use a single access point through which the computers communicate, or you can add wireless capability to an existing wired network. Or for additional flexibility, add a cable/DSL (digital subscriber line) router with both wired and wireless capabilities and have the best of both worlds--shared files and printers and shared Internet access. The cable/DSL router devices also act as a firewall, helping to protect you from hacker attacks. We recently implemented an ad-hoc wireless network for two of our computers. We used the Belkin Wireless USB Network Adapter for each. It was a fussy installation for each computer, making sure all the settings for the two devices matched and then reconfiguring settings for other devices attached to the computers. But once we got the configurations all set and such we were off and networking--using files from one computer on another and sharing the printer connected to one of the computers. No more sneaker-net for us. A glimpse at some other networking options: Wired Ethernet is least expensive but requires you to run wires between hubs, networked computers and peripherals. You’ll need a network adapter for each computer, either a card or USB device and optionally a network printer card. Connecting a Cable/DSL Router between your Cable/DSL Modem and network gives all on the network access to the Internet, sharing one ISP connection. With Ethernet, speeds of 10/100 Mbps are possible, depending on equipment. Of course, a wireless access point adapter can be added to a wired network for more flexibility. Phone line or AC power line networking uses existing phone or AC power wiring to carry the computer network signals without interfering with your usual phone use. Special adapters are used to connect to USB or parallel ports. Network speeds approximate 1 Mbps for the phone line system and 0.35 - 1 Mbps for the AC power line. The AC power line system has the advantage of using AC outlets, which are everywhere. The disadvantage of the phone line system is that you’ll be tied to a phone outlet. A word about security: the wireless network system can use scrambled random frequencies, encryption or a combination of both, making it almost impossible for anyone else to listen in or use the network. The phone line network signal will radiate along the phone line up to 500 feet from your house. So it is possible, though unlikely, that your line could be "tapped" and someone could access your home network, your files and even the Internet, using your account. This problem is known by the manufacturers, and there are efforts to secure this type of network with frequency scrambling and encryption. The AC power line network can also use encryption for security. The Ethernet networks are hard wired and inherently secure, unless you add a wireless access point adapter. Network connection to the Internet via cable modem, DSL or other node-type arrangements has its own security problems, with the potential for incursions into your computers via Internet villains. Firewalls and various security software programs help to prevent this. There are many reasons to network your computers to save time and effort . . . and maybe play a few network games too. |
