Network newb needs NIC opinions

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leoblob · #1 Post by **leoblob** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:40 pm

I am going to be sharing an Internet connection (high-speed access, finally!). Need NICs for my three PC300GL's... Looking at one of the many 3COM 3C905C series or the USR 7900. Don't know enough to make a choice... maybe it doesn't make all that much difference... ??? I don't need sophisticated security or management capabilities, since it's just 3 home computers sharing a cable modem / router...

TIA

asiafish · #2 Post by **asiafish** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:44 pm

I've always had great results from 3Com adapters, and still use them (wireless and wired) in every PC I have that doesn't have built-in.

Currently I have the following

Cardbus X-Jack ethernet 10/100 X3 and X-Jack a/b/g Wireless installed in the following:
Toshiba Portege 650CT (ancient), Toshiba Tecra 8000 and the wireless only in a ThinkPad X22.

The 3Com wireless cards are by far the best non-integrated solutions out there, with extremely good range for a PC card, and the added benefit in all but the cheaper OfficeConnect versions (which I don't use) that pushing in the antenna turns off power to the card. It really is just as elegant as built-in wifi, perhaps more so on account of the hardware power switch.

#3 Post by **BillMorrow** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:53 pm

you DO need to consider security..

128bit WEP is easy to set up..
and you need a router (access point/router) that will protect from outside incursions..

leoblob · #4 Post by **leoblob** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:30 pm

Thanks for the info.

I've been trying to get up to speed on this. For example, I've read about VPN's... what they're used for, and the (high) degree of security they need. This is the type of thing I'm referring to when I say "sophisticated" security stuff.

I don't think I need anything like that... that the security provided by a basic (decent) NIC and router (if I set them up correctly) should do the job... ??

... is this right... ?

#5 Post by **bill bolton** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:54 pm

leoblob wrote:maybe it doesn't make all that much difference... ???

For your domestic application, it doesn't!

However, if you are going to buy new NICs, you might as well buy 10/100/1000 capable ones. They typically cost less than $20 a piece now adays and even if you don't have a gigagbit capable switch/router right now, they will undoubtably come along before too long as well.

Cheers,

Bill

Network newb needs NIC opinions

Network newb needs NIC opinions

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