Building wireless network based on Linksys products have variety of choices including the wireless routers, the wireless access points, and the wireless networking adapters. Hence, building Linksys wireless network allows you select the best choices according to your need.
Typically the main reason you build a wireless network in home is to share the Internet connection, share the printer, the files, and play on line games wirelessly. Not just that, if you have a Wi-Fi phone, you can make some internet phone calls (aka Skype) wirelessly without you need to turn on the computer. With Linksys wireless network you can actualize them easily and securely.
Know What You Need
Building Linksys wireless network, firstly you need to know what you need. Whether you build a wireless network just to share the Internet only, or you need to streams High definition video, or you need to extend the network wirelessly, or you need to extend the network to the next building, or else. By knowing what you need, you can choose the best products for your requirements.
Selecting the Wireless Devices
After you know what you need in building Linksys wireless network, you can use the following table as a guideline in choosing the wireless routers, access points, or a bridge based on your need. Assuming that currently you have broadband internet connection with a modem (either Cable or DSL) connects direct to a single computer; you can select the wireless router, AP, or the wireless bridge as shown on the table.
| Your Need | You Need | Main features |
|---|---|---|
| To build a simple Linksys wireless network to share the internet, files, or printer | WRT54G2 Wireless-G Broadband Router | Wireless –g (54Mbps), support WPA2 and WPS |
| WRT110N RangePlus-N Wireless Home Router | Wireless –n, support WPA2 and WPS, smart antenna technology for longer distance | |
| To stream HD media, or Online gaming, share files, printer | WRT610N Simultaneous Dual-N Band Wireless Router | Simultaneous Dual-band, wireless –n, Built-in Storage Link and media server, MIMO technology, WPA2 & WPS support, Gigabit LAN ports |
| WRT320N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router | Dual-band selectable, wireless –n, MIMO tech., Gigabit LAN ports, | |
| Extending the network wirelessly | Wap2000 Wireless G Access Point with PoE | Supports Power over Ethernet, Wireless –g, WPA2 personal & Enterprise, MIMO tech. |
| WAP4400N Wireless-N Access Point – PoE | Wireless –n, PoE support, MIMO tech., WPA2 personal & Enterprise with WPS, QoS | |
| WRE54G Linksys Wireless Range Extender | Wireless –g, WEP support |
After you know your need, then you need to select the device according to your requirements and budget. It doesn’t make sense you purchase high performance dual-band WRT610n router for your Linksys wireless network if you just want to share the internet connection with couple of computers in the household. That’s Ok if you use WRT610n for high-intensive bandwidth application such as video conference, online HD gaming, and connect to cable DOCSIS 3.0 infrastructure.
The follwing figure shows you a common Linksys wireless network diagram to share internet connection in home.
Common Linksys wireless network diagram
Selecting WRT54G2 would be reasonable if you just want to share the internet connection, and you already have couple of computers or more with wireless –g network adapters enabled. But if you have the budget, selecting the devices for the best performance for your Linksys wireless network would be much better. Besides, mostly all the wireless –n routers with Wi-Fi certified are compatible with the wireless –b and wireless –g devices – thus protect your investment on wireless -b/g devices. See also how to choose the best wireless network here.
If you need to extend the network wirelessly, then you need to choose the wireless access point. With the wireless access point, you can connect the computers in areas where running network cables are not possible, or you do mind with the clutter of the wires in the areas. For home usage with the current modem, choosing the wireless access point for your Linksys wireless network is not appropriate. A simple modem doesn’t have the firewall / router features that help you protect your internal network from any types of network threats. Generally the wireless access points do not have the firewall / router feature. Therefore, you need a wireless router that has firewall feature.
Wireless access points are typically deployed to extend the business network. The use of WAP2000 / WPA4400 would be appropriate for business networks. PoE (power over Ethernet) feature allows you connect the wireless access point in areas where power outlet is not available.
Linksys WRE54G is used to expand the range of your wireless home network. The Wireless-G Range Expander is the easy way to increase the effective coverage of your wireless network. You can use this WRE54G only if you already have the wireless network and would like to expand it.
Now you have known what you need, and you have chosen the devices, then the next step is setting up and configuring the devices. For complete article how to setup Linksys wireless network, please click here setting up Linksys wireless router.
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