What wireless router should we buy? Alternative to APE.

[activeingredient]

Hi all, what's a nice alternative to set-up our network connections in the office?
Currently we have 10 Desktop PC's, 4 IBM Laptops and 3 PowerBooks and 1 PowerMac. Initially I was suggesting that we get an APE so that the 3 Pbooks can go wi-fi at the office. But we might encounter troubles if the IBM Laptops go wireless too... We have 2 16hub Linksys connected for the LAN connections.
Should we also get a Linksys Wireless thingy to go Wi-Fi at the office?
What Model and brand and price range if possible.
I'm not the network specialist here in the office so I'm not quite familliar with it.
Thanks!

[Edited on 6-9-2005 by activeingredient]

[hacksaw]

The Linksys WRT54G wireless router is a popular model . I use one myself on a mixed platform network. Might as well get a Linksys since you have a Linksys hub already.:yes:
It has been discussed here quite extensively. Do a search and I am sure you'll find all the information you need.

~hacksaw

[zChris]

if you are doing a direct connection of the PC's and laptops (wired or wireless, it doesnt matter) to the internet, dont forget to properly protect the windows terminals. Direct connections are pretty dangerous to the connected systems as they do not protect the network from viruses, trojans, and other malware that could ultimately result in lost data. I suggest you install firewall software on each PC (http://www.zonealarm.com for good freeware) and antivirus (http://www.avast.com) before you connect the PC's to the internet connected nework, if possible.

[geraldo3]

i agree with Linksys wrt54g being a user of one myself ... =) very easy to setup to.

[krislen]

This one is based on suggestion and experience:

In the office we have 3 pldt dsls. The linemen have strongly suggested using DLINK Wireless G+ Routers which they claim to have 10x faster than Linksys G meaning 10 times more faster when running a wireless G network. I'm using my powerbook on it via Airport and it's pretty fast, faster than APE.

[Lakisalayaw1970]

I use a Linksys WRT54G. Really feature packed. You can handle ethernet, wireless B and G. I have the option to expressly use G and not B, both at the same time, and no wireless at all. There's SSID broadcast on or off. There's MAC address filtering. There's remote dial in administration. There's several encryption schemes for wireless- WEP, WPA, LEAP (from 40 bit to 128 bit). There's a firewall feature too. You can limit the number of DHCP users...

So many features and it was cheap when I got one in 2003 (2,600 Pesos). Linksys by the way is the consumer relative of Cisco. You might find a cheaper wireless G router from D-Link. I didn't shop around.

[Edited on 6.11.05 by Lakisalayaw1970]

[dbh1104]

another vote for Linksys WRT54G...

[soccerjoe5]

how's the range of the linksys wrt54G?

[Lakisalayaw1970]

Originally posted by soccerjoe5
how's the range of the linksys wrt54G?

When I bring my iBook home, the WRT54G gives me about a 46 out 47 bars 10 feet away using Kismet for Mac.

Wifi is pretty strong in general for me. Maybe the farther you are, the less bandwidth. I can usually find open nodes and get 21 bars out of 26 (again using Kismet for Mac). I'm pretty sure range depends on obstructions within the broadcast range.

[activeingredient]

Wow! Thanks so much for all the replies. Seems the Linksys WRT54G is the best choice out there. Will get that model based on your positive outputs. :cheers: