airport to Windows software access point?

Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
I have been stuck with a PC for the last year or more and am more than ready to switch back, I need the PC still, but i want an iBook now, A wiFi network seems a tempting ideea, but I have a house full of PCs all acccessing Cable through an existing ethernet router, I want to stick an cheap 802.11b network PCI card for the PC and then use the PC as a software base station.



I have read a few reports of similar things working, but not this particular set up



my setup looks like this



As you can see no Base station

Code:




/--- PC

=Cable - Router {--- PC

\\--- PC

\\--- PC [with wiFi] ))))) Airport iBook









will this work? Also will it run at 54mbs? Apple's developer info seems to suggest a PC can't connect to Airport Base station at more than 11mbs, is this a different kettle of fish?



hope you like my ASCII diagram

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    ebbyebby Posts: 3,110member
    It should work as long as you get a 802.11g card (54Mbps) but a PC card is not going to give you the same reception as a wireless hub. There will be a little interference from your PC. Still, there are some really cheap wireless PCI cards and if you can get a good deal than go for it.
  • Reply 2 of 6
    k squaredk squared Posts: 608member
    How cheap is cheap? Would it be easier to just get a wireless router? If you are really concerned about saving pennies, then wouldn't a wireless router use less electricity than a computer which would have to be continuously running?
  • Reply 3 of 6
    torifiletorifile Posts: 4,024member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by antbloor

    802.11b network PCI card





    answers this:



    Quote:

    Also will it run at 54mbs?



    So, no, it won't. 802.11b is 11mb/s. As for whether it will work.... I would think so.
  • Reply 4 of 6
    ebbyebby Posts: 3,110member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by k squared

    How cheap is cheap? Would it be easier to just get a wireless router? If you are really concerned about saving pennies, then wouldn't a wireless router use less electricity than a computer which would have to be continuously running?



    Even if you factor in the electricity used, it is probably cheaper.

    802.11g routers are around $200 (Airport) and a PCI 802.11g adapter is $24.99. You can do the math.8)
  • Reply 5 of 6
    plus i pay a fixed rate for power, the computer will likly be on for rendering mostly, (I wonder if this will affect the speed?) Plus i need to keep my options open, the base station can come later if i need the range, i just want something to sync my itunes, i surf the net from the sofa



    and i did mean 802.11g card, just miss typed it. Will this work with the iBook airport in 54mbs?
  • Reply 6 of 6
    a_greera_greer Posts: 4,594member
    Quote:

    Originally posted by k squared

    How cheap is cheap? Would it be easier to just get a wireless router? If you are really concerned about saving pennies, then wouldn't a wireless router use less electricity than a computer which would have to be continuously running?



    not a router, a wap (wifi access point) it pluggs into a lan port on the router and whala, 802.11b, and dont buy the airport basestation because by todays standards, imho it is way over priced. if the ibook comes with ap extreme (802.11g) then check your wired network, if it runs at 100mbps, get a g-spec wap, if it is a 10 mbps network, then a b-spec wap will be just fine and save some $$



    Quote:

    plus i pay a fixed rate for power, the computer will likly be on for rendering mostly, (I wonder if this will affect the speed?) Plus i need to keep my options open, the base station can come later if i need the range, i just want something to sync my itunes, i surf the net from the sofa



    and i did mean 802.11g card, just miss typed it. Will this work with the iBook airport in 54mbs?



    to surf, or itunes sync, just look for a b-spec, it should be under 50$ and unless you have a connection to the internet of over 10 mbps it will work fine. and if you connect at more than 10mbps, I will be comeing over to....share in the wealth



    and yes, ap extream is 802.11g, and that is back compatible to 802.11b, thus you can connect to any open hotspot, like bookstores and coffee shoppes



    802.11b wap $39.99

    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2210&CatId=372



    802.11g router. $59.99

    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...%20P&CatId=372
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