Equipment needed for wireless SB3?

pugs · « **on:** 30 Nov 2005, 07:36 pm »

I have a Vinnie modded wireless SB3 on order. I don't know that much about computers and I'm not quite sure what I need for my computer/stereo to make the SB3 work. This is what I'm planning on buying:

1) 200 or 300Gb Seagate hard drive
2) Linksys WRT54G wireless router
3) Wireless ethernet card- don't know brand or models numbers

Will that cover it?

Can someone give me a suggestion for a wireless ethernet card for a PC using Windows XP?

Are the Seagate and Linksys good choices?

How would the Seagate connect to my system? Can it be wireless also?

I would appreciate any suggestion/advice

Brad · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 09:19 pm »

Seagate makes really good hard drives (5yr warranty is a bonus- but back your data up anyway)

Linksys is fine - I would stick with the same brand wireless card as router - you might even find them available as a bundle.

Tweaker · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 09:44 pm »

I just installed a Linksys WUSB54G* in my music server and it works like a charm and was very easy to set up. It is a usb adapter which allows you to place it on top of the computer (or anywhere the cord will reach). I also use a Linksys WAP54G access point and another configured as a repeater. Not totally painless to set up but that was mainly due to my ignorance about such things. If you do decide to get any or all of these feel free to PM me with any issues you may run into as I probably can help you out.

*Compusa has these with a rebate that will save you $20.00.

pugs · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Nov 2005, 10:16 pm »

Quote from: Tweaker

I just installed a Linksys WUSB54G* in my music server and it works like a charm and was very easy to set up. It is a usb adapter which allows you to place it on top of the computer (or anywhere the cord will reach). I also use a Linksys WAP54G access point and another configured as a repeater. Not totally painless to set up but that was mainly due to my ignorance about such things. If you do decide to get any or all of these feel free to PM me with any issues you may run into as I probably can help you out.

*Compusa has these with a rebate that will save you $20.00.

Thanks for the reply. What is an access point and repeater?

duff138 · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 01:20 am »

I'm still pissed I missed the Office Max day after Thanksgiving deal for Seagate 100g external hardrive $100 after rebate.

lcrim · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 02:00 am »

Check out http://www.newegg.com/ they have decent prices and service.
A few weeks ago I bought a 300 gig IDE hard drive, a Maxtor, for $115 plus an enclosure (fanless) for about $30 w/ a USB interface and PS and cables from them. No issues so far. Its actually 279 gigs but for less than $150 incl. shipping I can't complain.

chadh · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 02:11 am »

Just one question (to display my ignorance). What purpose does the wireless ethernet card serve? If you have a router plugged into your computer by ethernet cable, don't you get full functionality of the SB2/3? Is the wireless ethernet card simply to enable you to dispense with the cable between PC and router?

By the way, I picked up a 250GB maxtor drive at CompUSA for $60 (after rebate). It was one of their post Thanksgiving specials - I don't know if it's still available.

Chad

jakepunk · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 03:15 am »

You are correct, the wireless card allows you to dispense with the cable to the music server. The most likely scenario is to locate a music server machine far away from the squeezebox or your home office. If your router is next to your server PC and you leave it on all the time, it's not as useful.

Tweaker · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 03:54 am »

My server is in a spare room and is headless so to speak. No monitor, keyboard, or mouse. So I have a wireless USB adapter to connect it to the access point in our home office and also to be able to remotely administer it. The reason I did it that way was our little home office is kind of crowded and there wasn't really a good spot to put the server. That is the beauty of wireless, though. It allows for great flexibility.
I also purchased a Maxtor 250GB Ultra from Compusa. Wish I had purchased two, now. Have had real good luck with Maxtor and they are extremely quiet.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 07:57 am »

I can't believe it, but I'm heading down this road...

.

Thanks !![/list:u]

pugs · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Dec 2005, 08:12 am »

Quote from: jakepunk

You are correct, the wireless card allows you to dispense with the cable to the music server. The most likely scenario is to locate a music server machine far away from the squeezebox or your home office. If your router is next to your server PC and you leave it on all the time, it's not as useful.

That's good to know that I don't need a card. When I get an external hard drive, is it possible to make it wireless so I can put it in another room? If so, what do I need to do that?

jakepunk · « **Reply #11 on:** 2 Dec 2005, 06:19 am »

A "network hard drive" would do this. The enclosure contains a network interface and a webserver to configure it. Lacie is one such manufacturer. Their silly website doesn't let me link deeply, but you can navigate to Products -> Hard Drives -> Network -> Lacie Ethernet Disk Mini. I am not really familiar with these devices as I have never used one myself, so I will let more knowledgeable people comment. You would want one with a builtin wireless network adapter. If all it had was a wired connection (like the Lacie), you could buy a wireless bridge device and connect it to your wireless network.

Den · « **Reply #12 on:** 2 Dec 2005, 01:30 pm »

Quote from: chadh

By the way, I picked up a 250GB maxtor drive at CompUSA for $60 (after rebate). It was one of their post Thanksgiving specials - I don't know if it's still available.

Chad

Their Black Friday special was a 200GB drive for $30.

This Maxtor is on a regular 1-week sale:
http://www.compusa.com/adproducts/products.asp?N=500458+200454

Prices and offers valid through Saturday, December 03, 2005.

http://www.compusa.com/adproducts/product_info.asp?product_code=316138&pfp=cat3
Ultra16 250GB Hard Drive
$59.99

With the exception of the $$ WD Raptor, all the big drives currently on the market perform pretty much the same.
SSDD: same shtuff different drive(mfr.), AFAICS.
Some(Seagate + Samsung) may be a lil' quieter than others, which might be an issue if you're building a super quiet PC.
Seagate does have a 5-year warranty, but how much is that worth on a $50 item? Obviously, the warranty doesn't cover your data.
I just look for the most MB / $ and plan on backing it up.