Wireless dongles

[koster]

We're moving a room full of shared computers, and as there is an existing wireless network but no cabling in the new location I thought it would be simpler to just get a wireless dongle for each one.

However, I'm just wondering how to stop the dongles being stolen. Any ideas?

[ChuckFickens]

get wireless PCI cards so they are internal.. but to be honest wireless really isn't suitable for running several computers at the same time from it

[fo3nix]

How many computers?

Beyond ~20 you don't want to just have one wireless access point.

[ACtheTROLL]

beyond one ... they'll interfere with each other....youll end up with a room you can fry eggs in running at a max of 1.2Mb/s)

on estates next door's kit can cause havoc ... just think about having them all in the same room.

you'd be better using homeplug (200Mb/s) than wireless (54Mb/s) ... and even better using wire (<1000Mb/s)

[koster]

Thanks for the suggestion about the PCI cards.

ACtheTROLL and ChuckFickens - I don't understand what you mean by "wireless really isn't suitable for running several computers at the same time from it" and "beyond one ... they'll interfere with each other". We currently use 13 laptops with wireless connections in one room and there is no problem whatsoever. Are wireless dongles or wireless PCI cards any different?

Also, at home there are seven wireless networks within range and again there is no problem with interference.

The point about speed is valid, but does it really matter, when the speed of the broadband is at best 8Mbps, 54 Mbps with wireless is more than adequate. I use wireless at home and have no complaints about the speed.

What is Homeplug?

[ACtheTROLL]

when more than one wifi device is used depending how close it is - it causes interfierence... to "make itself heard above the noise" the device slows down and tries again... if it's still not happy ... it increases the power and slows down again .... untill its running at it's slowest speed and highest power level

home plug - powerline
http://www.solwise.co.uk/net-powerline.htm

[koster]

The Homeplug idea sounds like a great innovation. i wonder why I've never heard of anybody using it?

Returning to the previous point, though, like I said we have 13 wireless laptops in one room, there is no havoc and the speed is fine. Is there any reason to suppose that 13 desktops with wireless dongles or wireless PCI cards would be any different?

[ACtheTROLL]

with wifi - it's the radio waves not the device.

it works on channels ... so every machine uses the same one ... it's like everyone shouting at once - the base station hears the noise ... and starts talking slower and louder 'till the message gets through.

at home ... fluorescents, microwaves, noisy power supplies, TVs, next door neighbours .... blah blah blah will all contribute to a slowwer connection speed.

so your lucky 13 are just asking for problems.... I suppose being shared .. if it's not sustained multi machine use ... you are obviously getting away with it ... but it's pretty unique