Pc Direct Connection And Wireless Connection

[eek]

My apartment uses a shared network, with a direct Ethernet wall connection. I have been using a Belkin Wireless G travel router ( http://www.belkin.com/support/product/?lid...33&scid=222 ) which although gives me an even slower net, its great for easy use of my laptop. I just bought a pc and would like to have the Ethernet cable plugged in direct, but still have wireless available for my laptop. Can i do this on the mini belkin somehow? Would i need to get a new router or ?

Tips on how to set this up would be great. Thanks so much!

[TopDogger]

If u only have one ethernet socket in your appartment and theres not one on the travel router, the easiest thing to do would be buy a 4 port switch and plug both the travel router and desktop into that. I often have the same problems in hotels as I travel with 2 notebooks.

[Tywais]

buy a 4 port switch and plug both the travel router and desktop into that.

Definitely the simplest solution and also only a few hundred baht for the switch. If you insist on wireless only on the notebook, then a USB Wifi module for the PC and setup with ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). I did that at home with my netbook and works great.

[eek]

Thank you for those answers guys. Will take a look at a computer shop today.

Have another question. Some time back I bought a longer Ethernet cable. Good quality. Wouldnt work in the apartment though. Thought there was a problem with the cable at first, but when I tried it out at my bf's place, it worked fine. Is there a difference between Ethernet cables? The one that was supplied by the apartment says "Enhanced CAT 5E Patch Cable".

Thanks again.

[meadish_sweetball]

Yes, there are different types of network cables.

This page tells you more, but after reading it myself to refresh my memory, I am not sure it tells you why the cable did not work - maybe somebody else will be able to though:

http://discountcablesusa.com/ethernet-cables100.html

From and to what devices did you try to connect the cable?

[Tywais]

The one that was supplied by the apartment says "Enhanced CAT 5E Patch Cable".

CAT 5E is a high grade ethernet cable and good to 100 meters at 100Mbps. Cable construction is important to get the pairs wired to each end correctly. For example, if the wires are directly one-to-one, that is pin 1 to pin 1, pin 2 to pin 2, then it may work on some devices and not others (the wiring I just mentioned is not correct and cross talk between the wires can cause reliability issues).

The problem with the cable not working in the apartment could be due to the above or that the aggregate length is too long. If you use a switch as mentioned, then a short cable from the switch to the outlet and longer cables to the two computers you should have no problems. Perhaps to be on the safe side, request CAT 6 cable, higher quality at only a small increase in price.

//edit - one last thing, it's possible though not likely, that the apartment outlets were wired requiring a cross patch cable.

[Tywais]

Standard connection wiring/color code diagram for UTP. This is the same guide I use for our UTP cables at the laboratory.

[eek]

Thank you again to all. Not sure what method im going to go with yet, but i really needed the help!

(meadish, was just connecting from the main Ethernet outlet in my apartment, but wanted a longer cable than the one they provided. Problem is however, the residents are all connected to the same network, so thats a lot of length of cable. I just bought a cheap Ethernet cable at the time because i was unaware there were differences. Great to get informed.)

[carlosacao]

Problem is however, the residents are all connected to the same network

Hi Eek, one thing to think about if the apartment network gets too slow because of so many people connected to the same internet connection (I also have the same situation and the internet access often slows down to just about useless service), is that now some companies are beginning to roll out high speed wireless internet services; I've heard that AIS offers 3.6 Mb speed on their 3G network in Chiang Mai, you just buy a wireless modem from them that provides wired as well as wireless connection. Just a thought

[eek]

Wah! Thanks carlos! I didnt read your comment till now. Bummer really, as you will notice when you read below, as i already paid for a router..maybe that your idea will be better for me. Will check it out in any case.

------ Ok in the mean time..have another question for you guys please...

Bought a Linksys router, so i could have direct pc connection as well as wifi. Have set up a security password. Would like to create a home network..so my question is...

..Is it safe to set up a home network in this situation? (shared net, but password protected wifi connection).

Thank you.

Edit: Carlos, if you or anyone else has more info about that service, please post info/ a link. Im hunting around the net at the mo about it, but not sure what im supposed to be looking for!

[Tywais]

Edit: Carlos, if you or anyone else has more info about that service, please post info/ a link.

This the AIS 3G coverage area for Chiang Mai > AIS 3G

This is a review of 3G in Chiang Mai > Review

The review shows a 7.2Mbps connection but does appear that the AIS is 3.6Mpbs or perhaps just that modem model> 3G Aircard

Just found the modem cost > USB Modem

[carlosacao]

Wah! Thanks carlos! I didnt read your comment till now. Bummer really, as you will notice when you read below, as i already paid for a router..maybe that your idea will be better for me. Will check it out in any case.

------ Ok in the mean time..have another question for you guys please...

Bought a Linksys router, so i could have direct pc connection as well as wifi. Have set up a security password. Would like to create a home network..so my question is...

..Is it safe to set up a home network in this situation? (shared net, but password protected wifi connection).

Thank you.

Edit: Carlos, if you or anyone else has more info about that service, please post info/ a link. Im hunting around the net at the mo about it, but not sure what im supposed to be looking for!

Hi Eek,

Just off the top of my head since I don't have the fliers with me:

Ais has 2 options: 1) a portable usb modem (looks just like a flash usb memory), cost around 3500 baht, includes a sim card number, usage cost depends on usage but it goes up to 1500 baht for the maximum of 30 gigabytes.

2) An actual modem / router that would work like a typical wireless home modem/router but it takes the signal from the 3G AIS wireless network. Cost is around 790 baht for 30Gbt of use, so this is the most cost effective option. The equipment is around 7000 baht. It also has a sim card number.

Another company with this system is CAT and actually looks like I'm going to go with them since AIS doesn't have 3G signal in my location (near Baan Tawai). Their system is called CDMA which is also a form of 3G communication. They offer a portable usb modem (if you need to use it with more than one computer you have to just unplug and replug as far as I know), this one is more pricy at 7200 baht but they do offer unlimited service for 890 baht (which IAS doesn't offer by the way). The CAT people came to my office in Baan Tawai to test if there is signal and I do have it, then they did an speed test that showed 1.1 megabytes. Since their flier says 3.1 mb speed I asked what happened to the 3.1 and they said; oh, that's just maximum possible speed that the network is capable of (but you will never get). So... looks like that's the best that I can get. One nice thing about this is that you can take that little usb modem with you anywhere and you have internet service as long as they have that cdma signal there and they seem to have quite an extensive network already set up. I'm planing to get the service in the next few days and I'll be able to report more details.

The background of my situation is that I just rented a factory building 3 km from Baan Tawai and even that the building has a lot of phone lines that had been working not long ago, when I called TOT to set up phone and fax service they told me: "sorry sir, those lines are a little old and need to be replaced, it will just be 29,000 baht for the installation". Bloody hel_l I'll pay those crooks for that scam so I began to look for alternatives. More later.

[carlosacao]

Forgot to say, AIS network is rated at 7.2Mb in their fliers, but when you talk to them they tell you that you can only get 3.6 Mb so that seems to be the max. for now.

If anybody knows of any other options of this kind PLEASE POST!!!!!!!!

[Tywais]

Forgot to say, AIS network is rated at 7.2Mb in their fliers, but when you talk to them they tell you that you can only get 3.6 Mb so that seems to be the max. for now.

My links above to the AIS website do show 3.6M. They only indicate that 3G has "the capacity" of 7.2 not necessarily what they offer.

[carlosacao]

Today bought the CAT CDMA modem. 7200 baht but there is a 3 month free promotion right now (worth 790 baht a month, unlimited use).

I have to say that it's quite good. I used it in 2 locations in Hang Dong and the speed it's quite o.k., have to test for a few more days, but it's looking good.

Finally free from the buildings shared internet networks!

[Tywais]

Today bought the CAT CDMA modem. 7200 baht but there is a 3 month free promotion right now (worth 790 baht a month, unlimited use).

I have to say that it's quite good. I used it in 2 locations in Hang Dong and the speed it's quite o.k., have to test for a few more days, but it's looking good.

Finally free from the buildings shared internet networks!

When you have a chance, post some speed tests such as to Bangkok, Thaivisa and overseas. I'm still on EDGE, out Hang Dong way also, though reasonable speeds would be nice for something faster and 790 baht/month is cheaper.

[eek]

Carlos, do you know what the price would be for unlimited after the promotion ends?

Interesting to read how this is going for you. Keep us posted please!

(Oh, and, if anyone has any info regarding if it is safe or not to set up a home network in my situation, that would be appreciated!)

[carlosacao]

Carlos, do you know what the price would be for unlimited after the promotion ends?

Interesting to read how this is going for you. Keep us posted please!

(Oh, and, if anyone has any info regarding if it is safe or not to set up a home network in my situation, that would be appreciated!)

Hi Eek, 790 baht it's the regular price for unlimited use. The promotion is that you get the first 3 month free once you buy the equipment. The usb modem is 7200 baht.

I have to say that it works quite well, speeds of between 1.6 Mb to 2.6 Mb during evenings and nights, quite consistent, and 800 Kb to 1,6 Mb during business hours. International websites load quite fast. I'm pretty clear that this works much better and consistent than a 2 Mb connection from TOT, etc. Quite convenient to be able to take it with your laptop and connect anywhere in Chiang Mai (main city areas). For what I understand it's only in Chiang Mai at the moment, later in BKK, etc.

The way it works it reminds me of the old 56 Kb dial up modems (anybody remembers that?), the modem dials up to a remote server and once it connects, it has to authenticate the account and then it works. During that process, sometimes it connects on the first shot, sometimes I have to repeat up to 3 or 4 times (that would be the only hustle to report). I'm using it with both a Mac and Windows XP (at different times) and it works well with both. The first time you use it in a particular computer, it loads an application and that will be what you'll have to use every time you want to connect.

Overall, quite happy here, and if anybody wants to come to my business place near Baan Tawai (Hang Dong) to check out the connection, you guys are welcome, or can also organize a meeting sometime, somewhere when free so that others can see how it works for them. Don't mean to try to sound like I want to promote it, but......... feels so good to be internet independent!!!! For those on EDGE or GPRS, don't even think about comparing those with this CDMA modem, this is quite fast, whole different experience.

I'll report if there is anything new of interest.

Cheers

[carlosacao]

By the way, I've used the Thai Visa Speed test page for all the speed testing that I've mentioned.

Thai visa loads fast, same with English websites such as BBC, CNN, etc. The only Thai websites that I use are The Nation and Bangkok Post and they load fast. My secretary said that typical Thai web pages also load fast in her opinion and faster than her 2 Mb TOT connection that she has at her home. Happy camper here.

[tutsiwarrior]

is CAT CDMA (aka HUTCH, no?) internet coverage nationwide in Thailand? What about other wireless internet connections, EDGE, etc.? Anyone got a link for coverage areas?

[carlosacao]

is CAT CDMA (aka HUTCH, no?) internet coverage nationwide in Thailand? What about other wireless internet connections, EDGE, etc.? Anyone got a link for coverage areas?

CAT CDMA 3G it's only in Chiang Mai at the moment, they are working on the nationwide network (sometime in the near future, hopefully this century).

Speeds are lower today 400 to 500 Kb, but pages still load fast.