Wireless Router

[jimmy]

I have finally given in and gotten myself signed upto Broadband, still cannot believe just how quick it is. My only gripe is having to resort back to having wires trailing across the living room floor having been using a wireless modem with my laptop for a few months.

Do I need a wireless router? Is this a standalone device or does it need a PC as well? Will it serve several PC's at the same time using the same Broadband connection?

I am not too hot on the latest technology and networks so I would appreciate any help.

 

[Sp!ke]

Be careful on this... firstly, what flavour of Broadband do you have? True ADSL through a phone line or is it through a cable TV company?? Basically, the routers are different. An ADSL router replaces your ADSL modem and doubles up as both modem, Router, Firewall and wireless access point and tends to be a little more pricy.

There is a good review of access points here and answers to a lot of your questions.

http://www.dslguide.org/reviews/

 

[guydewdney]

yes. ask / pm wleg - hes is doign a big wireless job for some bloke - and has been doing research.

i have a wireless system in my house - i have a firewall / modem as one box, and a router (wireless) as another. only 11mps at the mo - but thats fine for surfing - and medium size file transfer if you are not in a major hurry...

all easy to set up - but get a decent IT bod to sort out the port blocking - or it will be VERY easy for nasty peeps to hack your system.

all from an IT numpty

 

[jimmy]

Be careful on this... firstly, what flavour of Broadband do you have? True ADSL through a phone line or is it through a cable TV company?? Basically, the routers are different. An ADSL router replaces your ADSL modem and doubles up as both modem, Router, Firewall and wireless access point and tends to be a little more pricy.

There is a good review of access points here and answers to a lot of your questions.

http://www.dslguide.org/reviews/

Yes its a 'proper' ADSL with BT. I gather I need a ADSL router but does this have to connect to a PC or is it standalone?

 

[mark_s]

Can you expand a bit on your set up ??

Assuming you have ADSL via your phone line .... do you just have a single USB modem ? If so you can replace this with a modem/router combined which will serve the PC its connected to as well as send it to other PC's that have a wireless network adaptor. Thats about the easiest (and cheapest) way of doing it.

If you just want to use your laptop wirelessly without another PC let me know and I will tell you the kit you need


MS

 

[jimmy]

Thanks,

My primary use is to use my laptop wirelessly at home but with the view of possibly adding another PC or two at a later date. As mentioned I have a proper ADSL broadband through my phoneline.

 

[craigyb]

Draytek, they make excellent routers and now have a wireless 54mb adsl router. They have a firewall built in as well.

Draytek 2600WG series I think, my company use 2600's as the router of choice for all home comnnections.

When you go wireless, make sure you enable WEP and also turn off broadcast of the SSID. this will help with security. Or you may find someone like me parked outside your house downloading all your files and surfing the net for free.

Craig

 

[Maxi]

Few other things to look out for when buying a router;

NAT - increases security by not displaying internal IP addresses
Does it have firewall built in
WPA - improved over WEP for security
VPN Passthrough - you never know, you may need it some time

Note - ensure that you buy the correct kit. I know this sounds silly but a wireless router may (or may not) have a wireless access point included.

Agree with previous post - Draytek kit is good but can be a tad expensive (http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ProductID=730)

Maxi

 

[sym]

I have a 'Linksys' wireless access point router with a built in 4 port hub (for wired PC connections) and as many wireless connections as you like (within reason !)

Its currently sitting in a box doing nothing. It may be put to use again when I move house in a few weeks, depending on what flavour of broadband I get - but it requires ethernet input from the broadband modem, so may be incompatible with your existing set up - as you would need an ADSL modem with an ethernet connection rather than USB in order to use it. If I don't use it in a few weeks, it will be for sale.

S.

 

[Deleted member 2227]

just set a wireless network with a belkin 4 port router/modem/firewall. Works fine with my lap top and daughters pc upstairs with a usb wireless thingy job! If i can do it anyone can!

 

[jimmy]

Thanks for the ideas, but nobody has answered the main question!

Are these wireless routers standalone or do they need a PC to operate?

 

[Deleted member 2227]

My daughter can go online when my computer is switched off so i'd say standalone!

 

[WLeg]

Generally, Routers are standalone, and let multiple machines have access to a broadband connection, whereas modems are plugged into a PC, and so require the host PC to be turned on (and ICS enabled) for other machines to have access.

Have a look at www.misco.co.uk

They are offering free PC or PCI cards with the 3Com ADSL wireless Access Points - yours for around £80.00.

Whatever you get do not just take it out of the box and plug it in !! - It will work, but for you, your neighbours, etc as well !!.

You will probably also want to combine any inbuilt hardware firewalls with a software one like Norton Internet Security 2004.

 

[Tan]

Thanks for the ideas, but nobody has answered the main question!

Are these wireless routers standalone or do they need a PC to operate?

You dont need a PC running for the router to work. However, I did need to connect a machine via Cat 5 cable to mine to perform the initial set up.

 

[Tan]

You dont need a PC running for the router to work. However, I did need to connect a machine via Cat 5 cable to mine to perform the initial set up.

There are several good deals on 3com and Netgear products at the moment such as Free PCMCIA wireless cards for your laptop. I used to have a netgear router but changed to 3Com when I upgraded from 11Mbps to 54Mbps.