I want to set up a wireless network between a new Dell XP desktop
machine and a Dell XP laptop with an integrated 802.11b wireless card.
 The desktop links to the internet via an ADSL line using an ADSL
'modem' that was supplied by BT.

I'm looking at the NETGEAR DG824M Wireless ADSL Modem Gateway -
Router. See eg

http://www.insight.com/uk/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=NGE824403#extendedspecs

Would this combined modem/router/firewall be a good choice?  The price
seems reasonable.

One concern I do have is the review on Amazon, at

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000087H92/ref=sr_aps_electronics_1_1/026-5950122-6807648


which suggests that the range may be limited.  I live in a solid
brick-built house of the 1930s, and a 10m range would be no good to me
at all.  The signal will have to penetrate solid brick internal and
external walls.  Are there products of greater range available at
reasonable price (less than around £300)?  What about directional
aerials?  I will be using the laptop mostly in two separate locations,
in different directions.  Would I be best advised to look at all-round
products of reasonable power, or could I use two differently-angled
aerials?  Any general advice you can give would be appreciated.

Hi michael2,

Forget about netgear, the "old reliable" is Linksys for this price
point. I recommend you get the BEFW11S4, which is a 4-port router and
access point in one unit. It will work with ADSL, and you configure it
using a web browser. Also, it's less expensive.

   http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=415
   http://www.insight.com/uk/apps/productpresentation/index.php?alert=categoryresults&product_id=LNKNA036VU

With respect to the brick walls. Brick is not such a big issue. What
you have to watch out for is metal. Do those walls have a lot of metal
in them (such as pipes, wire mesh lath found will kill the signal)?
Metal, and things that are wet (like living plants outside) are the
main barriers to WiFi signals.

With respect to antennas, the linksys has removable antennas and you
can add on an inexpensive low-gain omni antenna if you like. From your
set up I doubt that you will need it. A much more attractive option is
an add-on that boosts the power, the WSB24 that is available from
Linksys and just fits right on top. You might have to buy it from the
states, since power is /much/ more limited in the UK (limited to 20 dB
/ 100 mW compared to 30 dB / 1000 mW in the US). This is true of all
products in the UK.

   http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=38&prid=478

One thing to keep in mind with omni antennas is that they 'flatten"
the sphere that the signal reaches into more like a doughnut. The
higher the gain on the omni, the flatter and more pancake like the
signal becomes. So, if your use will all be on the same floor as the
base station, this is a good thing; if not, it will actually make it
harder to connect from other floors.

As for directionals, you won't need that kind of power!

Hope that helps.

Simon

Oh, and I forgot to provide a useful link that talks about different
wall materials:

http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/library/wi-sky11.html?dwzone=wireless

and

http://ufo.chicago.il.us/pipermail/ufo/2002-March/000997.html

(you'll have to search to the middle of both to find the info)

simon

Hi Simon

Thanks for your really helpful reply.  I shall get one of those and
try it out.  You've also saved me quite a bit; sorry I can't award the
list price or any stars to you.  But please take 5 virtual stars!

kind regards

Michael2