Basic Home and Small Office Networking Equipment Options See next page for recommended hardware items By Ron Mettler November 5, 2006
Suggested Equipment Choices for Pictured Configuration
Routers D-Link WBR-2310 or DI-624 or Linksys WRT54GS Wireless Adapters for Computers D-Link Desktop Computer Card DWL-G520 D-Link USB Adapter DWL-G132 D-Link Notebook Cardbus Adapter DWL-G650 or Linksys Desktop Computer Card WMP54GS Linksys USB Adapter WUSB54GSC Linksys Notebook Cardbus Adapter WPC54GS Wireless All-In-One Printer/Scanner/FAX HP Officejet 6310 Print Server for USB Printer D-Link DP-G310 or Linksys WPS54G
Approximate Price Approximate Price

$80 $80

Approximate Price Approximate Price Approximate Price

$70 $70 $70

Approximate Price

$90 $100

Ethernet Cables are available in pre-assembled lengths with connectors installed. Cable may also be purchased in bulk to be cut to length. The installation of connectors, wall outlets and plates requires special tools and skills. Note There are several additional brands on the market for all of the above items. This author has configured and used all of the above listed options. The above options provide for Speed-Booster equipment that may or may not provide additional speed in any given installation. Other brands may be just a good or possibly better in some cases. Sale prices are found almost weekly. Recent sale prices for the routers were $60 and for the various cards, the sale prices were $50.
Windows operating systems that support networking include all versions from Windows 95 through Windows XP. Windows XP and the upcoming Windows Vista include enhanced support for configuring network systems including wireless devices.
Linksys Devices WRT54GS router with wireless radio, WMP54GS PCI wireless desktop computer card, WUSB54GSC USB wireless adapter, WPC54GS card bus wireless adapter.
D-Link Devices DI-624 router with wireless radio, DWL-G520 PCI wireless desktop computer card, DWL-G132 USB wireless adapter, DWL-G650 card bus wireless adapter.
This is an Ethernet wired network interface card (NIC). The Cat 5 Ethernet cable from a router would connect to this desktop computer NIC with an RJ-45 connector on the end of the cable. A notebook computer may also contain an Ethernet NIC in which case the connector shown on the card below would be visible somewhere on the notebook computer.
Desktop computer Ethernet card
RJ-45 Connectors on Cat 5 Ethernet Cable

Category 5

The original specification for category 5 cable was defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A, with clarification in TSB-95. These documents specified performance characteristics and test requirements for frequencies of up to 100 MHz. Category 5 cable includes four twisted pairs in a single cable jacket. It is most commonly used for 100 Mbps networks, such as 100BASE-TX Ethernet, although IEEE 802.3ab defines standards for 1000BASE-T - Gigabit Ethernet over category 5 cable. Cat 5 cable typically has three twists per inch of each twisted pair of 24 gauge copper wires within the cable. The twisting of the cable reduces electrical radio frequency interference which causes crosstalk. Also, the wires are insulated with a plastic (FEP) that has low optical dispersion, that is, the dielectric constant of the plastic does not depend greatly on frequency. Special attention also has to be paid to minimizing impedance mismatches at connection points.

Share your printer without running wires!
The Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer lets you connect a USB printer directly to your network, eliminating the need to dedicate a PC to print sharing chores. Using a PrintServer frees up your print share PC so you don't have to leave it on all the time. It also removes the printing bottleneck, and sets your PC free to do more useful work. Connect the PrintServer directly to your network by 10/100 Ethernet cable, or wirelessly over 54Mbps Wireless-G (802.11g). The wireless option lets you put your printer wherever you want to, without having to run cables. Whichever way the PrintServer is attached to your network, both your wireless and wired PCs will have access to it, and the printer it's connected to. And if you don't use wireless for general networking in your office, you can still use the Wireless-G connection in ad-hoc mode to print from visiting Wireless-G and Wireless-B PCs. The USB port is compatible with USB 1.1 printers, as well as printers that support the new high-speed USB 2.0 specification for even faster throughput. Your data is protected by up to 128-bit WEP encryption, or pre-shared-key WPA. A user-friendly Setup Wizard makes installation easy, the compact case fits anywhere, and the three megabyte print buffer size handles even large graphics-intensive print jobs. Let the Linksys Wireless-G PrintServer bring efficiency to your printing tasks.
Share a printer with everyone on your networkworks with most USB 1.1 or 2.0 printers
Connects your printer directly to the network by 10/100 wired Ethernet or 54Mbps Wireless-G (802.11g)
Prevents congestion on your PC with other users' print jobs
No need to leave a PC on all the time

Wireless-G

Wireless

PrintServer

Product Data

Model No.

WPS54G
Features Complies with IEEE 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.3 standards Features a high-speed USB 2.0 port that is backward compatible with USB 1.1 Supports TCP/IP SMB (Service , Message Block), AppleTalk (EtherTalk), and NetBEUI. Setup Wizard program makes it easy to configure the Wireless-G PrintServer in Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 or XP. SNMP management allows users to monitor, configure and troubleshoot using existing SNMP management tools. Built-in IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) Server and Windows IPP client, enables printing to your printer from anywhere on the Internet. Note: This PrintServer is not compatible with multifunction printers and does not work with a USB hub that is connected to multiple USB printers. Specifications Model Number Standards Ports Buttons Cabling Type LEDs Security Features WEP Key Bits Environmental Dimensions Unit Weight Power Certifications Operating Temp. Storage Temp. Operating Humidity Storage Humidity 5.24" x 0.98" x 2.76" (133 mm x 25 mm x 70 mm) 3.80 oz. (0.11 kg) 5 V DC, 2A FCC, CE 0C to 40C (32F to 104F) -20C to 70C (-4F to 158F) 10% to 85% Non-Condensing 5% to 90% Non-Condensing WPS54G IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, USB 2.0 Power, Ethernet, USB Printer Reset USB 2.0, UTP CAT5 Power, Ethernet, Wireless, USB WEP WPA-PSK , 64, 128

Linksys A Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. 18582 Teller Avenue Irvine, CA 92612 USA E-mail: Web: sales@linksys.com support@linksys.com http://www.linksys.com

Minimum Requirements

300 MHz or Faster Processor 128 MB of RAM CD-ROM Drive Printer with USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 Port (Multi-function printers are not compatible) Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 or XP

Package Contents

Wireless-G PrintServer Setup Wizard CD-ROM User Guide on CD-ROM USB 2.0 Cable Network Cable Power Supply Quick Installation
Linksys products are available in more than 50 countries, supported by 12 Linksys Regional Offices throughout the world. For a complete list of local Linksys Sales and Technical Support contacts, visit our Worldwide Web Site at www.linksys.com.
Specifications are subject to change without notice. Linksys is a registered trademark or trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. Copyright 2005 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

WPS54G-DS-50316NC JL

Model No. Model No.