Wireless vs Wired

2008-06-13 09:33:52

#1

Vub: The Power of Two; +188|6764|Sydney, Australia

These are some somewhat general questions about the capabilities and limitations of a wireless connection to LAN. For those of you who have or are using a wireless connection, some experiences will be much appreciated.

1. How stable is a wireless connection? How does a wireless connection perform for games over LAN like BF2?
2. How secure is a wireless connection? If my router is a modem+router+wireless access point all in one, is there any way I can shut off the wireless aspect of it when I'm not using it?

2008-06-13 09:40:39

#2

Brasso: member; +1,549|6900

1) My wireless connection downstairs is fairly stable (using a USB adapter for a desktop). Are you talking about LAN or Multiplayer? I can tell you right now, BF2 multiplayer + wireless = hell...
2) Pretty secure, most routers nowadays can utilize WPA2 protection, and if not they probably have WEP (which isn't as good). You can shut of the wireless if you're not using it.

"people in ny have a general idea of how to drive. one of the pedals goes forward the other one prevents you from dying"

2008-06-13 09:51:09

#3

killer21: Because f*ck you that's why.; +400|6861|Reisterstown, MD

1. Wireless for multiplayer is ok. It is better than dial-up and definitely better than satellite. Issues with wireless are things like dropped packets which would result in getting kicked from a server.
2. It can be secure if you know how to secure it. Using WPA2 is essential. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever use WEP. Ever. I have a Wireless router I got from Verizon to go with my FiOS and it works really well. It is really secure and I have no problems playing online via my consoles(Wii, 360, PS3) wirelessly. You can always turn your wireless off but there is no need really if you secure it right.

2008-06-13 10:04:38

#4

Vub: The Power of Two; +188|6764|Sydney, Australia

So packet loss with BF2 multiplayer over wireless is a relatively common occurrence? Hmm, might just then go for the ugly but practical run-the-ethernet-cable-between-rooms-along-the-wall technique.

2008-06-13 10:09:25

#5

Brasso: member; +1,549|6900

Yeah, expect ping spikes and random connections lost with wireless. I would do what you said, even if you have to that every time you play.

"people in ny have a general idea of how to drive. one of the pedals goes forward the other one prevents you from dying"

2008-06-13 10:11:38

#6

mikkel: Member; +383|6871

Wireless is completely agnostic about what kind of game you're playing. A game generating a lot of traffic can exacerbate an existing problem with your wireless connection, but volume is more or less the only way a game will typically affect performance across your network link, and that's only if your network link is unstable or insufficient to begin with.

If you can avoid wireless, you should do so. If you end up with a bad installation due to factors that you can't do anything about, you'll have wasted money on something you can't use.

Last edited by mikkel (2008-06-13 10:12:57)

2008-06-13 11:50:49

#7

The_Sniper_NM: Official EVGA Fanboy; +94|6383|SC | USA |

My brother plays with wireless across the hall and down about 30 feet from me. His ping is usually 1ms higher and never gets kicked for packet loss.

It is a good idea to not use the drivers that come with your hardware- download the newest set from the manufactures. (Like all hardware ) In the beginning he'd loose connection a lot just by browsing, turns out he was using 2 year old drivers. Updated to newest ones, hasn't lost it yet.

2008-06-13 11:53:24

#8

Jenspm: penis; +1,716|7002|St. Andrews / Oslo

I have absolutely no problems with Wireless - don't notice a difference compared to wired!

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/26774/flickricon.png

2008-06-13 12:47:02

#9

SpIk3y: Minister of Silly Walks; +67|6409|New Jersey

mikkel wrote:
Wireless is completely agnostic about what kind of game you're playing. A game generating a lot of traffic can exacerbate an existing problem with your wireless connection, but volume is more or less the only way a game will typically affect performance across your network link, and that's only if your network link is unstable or insufficient to begin with.

If you can avoid wireless, you should do so. If you end up with a bad installation due to factors that you can't do anything about, you'll have wasted money on something you can't use.

I agree. Don't use wireless unless it's absolutely necessary. It's not that wireless is inherently bad, but it leaves more room for issues and problems. If you compared the stability and performance of all the wireless networks in the world to all of the wired networks, the wired setups would come out on top.

Basically, a wired connection is the safer way to go. Your wireless might work out to be fine, but your wired will definitely work out.

Last edited by SpIk3y (2008-06-13 12:47:52)

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