Another networking question
 

Hi peeps,

Ok I'm new to this networking thing.

Been ORDERED!!!! by the missus and eldest son to get the house kitted out.

We need to get 2 desktops and a laptop connected to t'internet. I am on the 20mb broadband package with virgin and I really dont want to lose any speed on the main (aka my) pc

Any suggestions?

I was looking at this http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/sto...&category_oid=
but at £240 inc adapters. Is that way too much for the job?


I havent a clue what to get

Cheers



****EDIT that router, has got a terrible review on cnet, so not getting that one ****

Re: Another networking question
 

Does it have to be a router? have you considered the homeplug route as an alternative.

Welcome to the forum btw..

Re: Another networking question
 

Look at the WRT54GS router.

I would assume your going to put the router next to one of the PC's and therefore you can hard wire that connection so you only need an ethernet port.

Does the Laptop have wireless built in? if so that that taken care of

Only need a wireless adaptor for the other PC unless its close and can be hard wired.

Yes £240 is a bit steep

Re: Another networking question
 

cheers gaffer :)

Are homeplugs that easy? but buy 3, plug them in, and thats it?

Re: Another networking question
 

:welcome: to Cable Forum :tu:

£240.00 that's an incredible amount of money to spend.

Firstly your desktops, and probably the laptop will all have an ethernet port. The more stable, fastest connection is achieved by running ethernet cable between a router (which would normally be next to your existing modem) and the computer. Thus that is the cheapest option, if the cable routing is achievable. Certainly for the non portable desktops that can be the best option.

Your laptop, depending on it's age, may well already have a wireless card in it. If it does you won't need a separate adapter for it to go wireless. Even some desktops are supplied with wireless. It's worth checking. You'll only need a wireless adaptor for computers that don't have one already, if you do want them wireless.

A simple wireless cable router (don't get an ADSL one) will allow you to establish both a wired and wireless network. You can then mix and match what you need for your home. Wired networks at 100mbps will be faster than your broadband, so no slowdown there. Make sure the router you get is 10/100 enabled on it's WAN (internet) port. For wireless then the 802.11g standard at up to 56mbps still exceeds the fastest broadband. As that is the speed any inbuilt wireless in a laptop or desktop would run at, it's all you need. However if buying new wireless adaptors and router stuff consider the "n" standard, although that isn't fully ratified so there might be some odd incompatibilities between different kit manufacturers. Kit that runs at "n" should also support the lesser "g".

Re: Another networking question
 

I'd be having the router next to this pc, so thats cool
Laptop was a cheap and nasty one from pc world
other pc needs to be wireless as its in the next room, but we have a border collie puppy that's obessesed with wires :confused:

Re: Another networking question
 

thanks for the help

Got the NETGEAR NETWORK WPN824 RANGEMAX SMART MIMO

Easy to set up and got working within 10 mins