Here at GF!
central, we faced a dilemma. We needed to invest in the ethernet cables
that would attach our console test area to our PC gaming and production
area. With the current trend of broadband online gaming for consoles,
this kind of wire-based proliferation has cluttered up the hallways and
open spaces of many homes. Sure, lots of folks have broadband, but how
many of them have broadband in the living room? (Mainly, the folks who
got broadband to play their game console online.) Most people have
installed their broadband service in an office or computer room because
thats where they use it. As the demand for broadband connection creeps
out of the office, youre faced with either a wire problem or a
pocketbook problem. Both of these things stink, and we were more than
happy to accept D-Links offer of a reviewable DWL-810 unit. This handy
ethernet to wireless bridge eliminates the need for ethernet cable
strung all over your happy home, and it adds even more incentive for
broadband users to go wireless.Wireless technology has been around
for quite awhile now. It has really gotten popular over the last several
years with the introduction of 802.11b technology. This protocol allows
a wide variety of devices to communicate through a wireless network,
ranging from stand-alone wireless devices to notebook computer network
interface cards, to even Apple AirPort hardware and software. 802.11b
technology genuinely crosses boundaries it is compatible across
platforms and through walls. D-Link has taken the best that the 802.11b
protocol has to offer and put it into a tiny little box that can hook up
any ethernet enabled device to a wireless network. That means no more
ethernet cables. But in order to put this technology to work for you,
youll need to make sure of a few things.
First of all, you need to make the decision between a router and a
hub. If you intend to use multiple PCs or your PC and gaming console
online at the same time, odds are your broadband provider is going to
charge you an arm and a leg for additional IP numbers. So it is
generally cheaper and more effective to use a router to enable multiple
machines to use the broadband connection at the same time. A router
distributes the various requests to access the internet through the
single IP your broadband service provider gives you. If you figure that
you wont be using multiple devices on the internet at the same time,
then you can hook up a hub to your cable or DSL modem. This allows you
to share the physical connection, but the hub is "dumb" and simply
pushes through any requests to access the internet. Try using your Xbox
and PC at the same time through a hub and chances are your broadband
provider will throw a fit. The advantage here is that you can get a five
port hub for about $15 at most places, while your typical wired router
will cost you about $40.
We suggest going for a router. We use a
D-Link Di-704, which has been a
dream ever since we got it. Routers not only allow you to use multiple
devices on the Internet at the same time (very useful when your
significant other decides that watching you waste mechs online is more
boring than browsing Fark.com), but they also typically include some
firewall protection, which is an issue anyone stepping up to broadband
should be aware of. A hardware firewall saves a bit on your PC
performance and it protects every device connected to your home network.
At this point, youre probably in two camps. Either you already own a
cable/DSL router or you dont. If you dont, we highly recommend
investing in the wireless variety of routers. D-Link makes several good
ones, and there is no shortage of them on the market. Wireless routers
will cost you somewhere in the range of $150 these days, but they will
undoubtedly come down in price over the next year or so. Wireless
networking is definitely catching on, so hopefully all of this stuff
will get a lot cheaper over the coming months, just as wired networking
technology has really hit the bottom end of prices. Investing in a good
wireless router now will allow you to build your network for years to
come.
If you already have a router or hub you like, as we did, you might
just want to invest in a wireless access point. We used the
D-Link DWL-900AP+, which is a
screaming fast access point, and very easy to install. A wireless access
point allows you to add wireless connectivity to your existing router or
hub without paying quite as much. Wireless access points will put you
back about $70 these days.
Finally, youre ready to install either your wireless network
interface card (if using a PC or notebook computer) or your DWL 810. The
DWL 810 can be plugged into any existing ethernet connection, so that
means you could use it on your notebook computer or PC. We tried it it
works perfectly, and its much less hassle than installing a wireless
network interface card. But here at GF! we were much more excited to
test it out on our PS2 and Xbox. And were happy to report that it works
flawlessly.
This is the very first truly plug-and-play device we ever tried. We
plugged it into the back of the Xbox and Xbox LIVE took off with no
problem. We hosted games for days straight, and no problems. Everything
you need to connect the DWL 810 to your console system comes in the
package, so installation is literally a matter of plugging it in. The
DWL 810 automatically finds the wireless network and creates a
connection. It even uses 128 bit Wired Ethernet Protection encryption,
ensuring that your network connection remains secure. Interference (the
bane of any wireless device) is cut down through the use of 11 channels,
switched between intelligently and automatically. The 2.4 GHz wireless
technology also gives the DWL 810 a nice range and strong signal power.
We noticed no interruptions, interference, or lag using our DWL 810 to
play console games online.
And thats really all there is to be said about the device. If youre
one of the tech-oriented gamers out there, you can log onto the DWL 810
to configure it using a web browser interface. It is as straightforward
and simple as weve come to expect from D-Link, and were very happy
using it. Although the DWL 810 comes with a $99 price tag, we think its
worth it. A 50 foot ethernet cable will cost you about $30 at a good
price, so either way youre looking at a decent investment. And although
wireless technology may be a bit spendy to set up, it is an investment
in the future. Networking in the office and at home are both heading
steadily toward the wireless environment, so we dont mind spending a
bit to be on the leading edge. If youre sick of those cables running
all over your house, or if you already have a wireless network set up,
then make sure you pick up a D-Link DWL 810 for your console gaming
pleasure.