Michael,
I basically have the same type setup as yours with one exception : in
between the cable or in my case DSL modem and my 9 port ethernet hub I have
a wireless SMC barricade 4 port router.
I have another bedroom in my house  located upstairs with no obvious line of
sight and to reach connectivity with the computer I have to go through
stairs and walls approximately 60 ft from this router using the wireless
connectively along with a wireless networkcard configured through my router.
I have had no issues with interference/drop offs etc....
This is the way to go if you don't like to crawl around and manually drill
holes, patch and coverup.

Barry Clark
MCSE
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael A. Wosnick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2002 9:22 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Home networking - Mixing wired and wireless


> Hi all,
>
> I am looking to get into wireless (Wi-Fi) networking and have a few
> questions for the gurus.
>
> Here is my current situation:
>
> I have a desktop Win2k PC that is currently part of two networks. The
first
> one is an Ethernet network with my PC and wife's laptop connected to a
> simple Ethernet 4-port hub. We have a cable modem connected to the hub as
> well, and in fact we have two separate IP addresses from the ISP since we
> each use a different VPN to connect to our work and did not wish to have
any
> problems sharing an IP. That part works flawlessly and we don't want to
> disrupt it.
>
> The same Win2k PC is also connected to 2 additional PCs in my house via a
> separate PhoneLink 2.0 network so that my kids can share files,/printers
> with me and can also share the cable modem. In principle, this network
works
> very well also, and has the added benefit that my PC can now bridge my
> wife's laptop and my kids' PCs if all are connected. They cannot see one
> another of course (no PhoneLink card in the laptop), but I can see all
> networked computers when they are on and so can move files etc from one
> network to the other.
>
> Problem is my phone wires seem problematic. Even thought the house is only
> 15 years old, the PhoneLink network seems to disconnect as readily as it
> connects and so for all intents and purposes has becomes unreliable enough
> to be useless. One of my kids defaults regularly to a dialup connection
when
> the PhoneLink becomes erratic, and the other just waits for her turn on my
> PC since the link from her computer is rarely reliable enough.
>
> Connecting the kids PCs to mine via Ethernet is out of the question due to
> where the PCs are located and my desire not to drill holes in walls etc.
> Hence my new interest in Wireless.
>
> So here are the questions:
>
> 1. Can I go wireless for my PC and my kids PCs without losing the Ethernet
> connectivity that I currently share with my wife? I just want to replace
the
> PhoneLink part of the "dual" network and not touch the Ethernet part.
>
> 2. Will both networks still be able to share the cable modem? If so, what
> specific equipment do I need?
>
> 3. Since the cable modem will (I assume) still have to be plugged into the
> Ethernet hub, how would I connect the wireless network to the cable
> modem/hub?
>
> 4. If I go for a Wi-Fi set-up (802.11b) will I expect to get interference
> from cordless phones etc of which we have several in the house? What about
> cell phones?
>
> 5. Are there other concerns I should be taking into account?
>
> All advice and wisdom appreciated.
>
> With thanks,
>
> Michael
>
>                The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering
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>

               The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering
              Mandrake Linux or Red Hat Linux CD sets along
         with our NOSPIN Power Linux CD...  at a great price!!!
             http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml