Ntl Home 100 & wireless network router

[bigjazza]

Hi all

First post from a non technical type so - please be gentle!

I'd like to set up a wireless network at home between main XP & 2nd ME machine and share my BB connection. As I understand it a router is in order together with 2 wireless adaptors. So far so good. The issue is the Home 100 modem which is connected to my PC via a usb cable (no ethernet card fitted as yet to main machine).

Linksys suggestion seems to require an ethernet connection to main machine from router and a ethernet link from to the router to the modem. Do I need to do this or can I patch between modem and router and continue to use the USB connection? If so, any cons?

Any suggestions gratefully appreciated.

Views on the recommended router (Linksys WRT54G ) or alternative kit also appreciated.

[Tezcatlipoca]

to CF

The WRT54G (& most other broadband routers, apart from some ADSL ones) can only use ethernet - not USB.

So yes, you will need to use ethernet to connect the modem to the router, & ethernet [or another wireless adapter] to connect the router to the main PC.

Ethernet cards are v cheap (tenner or less), & are very easy to fit.

I've got a WRT54G myself & it's a great router


Once you've got your router, you should have a look at this thread about wireless security - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=8435

Oh, & not quite on topic, but I'd also recommend Robin Walker's site, for a whole load of info on cable broadband: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...ips/index.html

[Scrubbs]

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...network+router

this might be of help as well

[bigjazza]

Tezcatlipoca & Scrubbs

Thanks Guys, this is helpful. Fortunately, I've got an orphaned NIC in my old machine which I can simply swop around and remove the USB connection. A quick question though - if I do this will I need to reset the modem in any way or will it simply reset itself using the ethernet link?

TIA.

[Scrubbs]

gawd knows I,m not that clever but I am guessing that it would sort itself out ...if not come back and tell us....there is a lot of clever people on here or
try the search

[Tezcatlipoca]

Originally Posted by bigjazza

A quick question though - if I do this will I need to reset the modem in any way or will it simply reset itself using the ethernet link?

TIA.

You'll need to "power cycle" (reset) the modem when swapping from USB to ethernet.

Have a look here for all the info you need: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...b.html#usbswap [but in your case, where it reads "Connect cable modem's ethernet port to PC's ethernet port" will actually be "Connect cable modem's ethernet port to router's "WAN" ethernet port"]


HTH

[bigjazza]

Thanks, guys - much appreciated.

[dragon]

if you are connecting both pcs wirelessly then u dont need any wired connection to the pcs

as you said about 2 wirless adaptors i assume this is the case...

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by dragon

if you are connecting both pcs wirelessly then u dont need any wired connection to the pcs

as you said about 2 wirless adaptors i assume this is the case...

it is best to be able to wire one pc to the router when necessary, for example like setting up things like wireless security.

IMO if you have one pc near to where the router is there is no point connecting wirelessly, might as well save yourself money on the wireless card and just use the ethernet connection instead.

MB

[dragon]

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

it is best to be able to wire one pc to the router when necessary, for example like setting up things like wireless security.

IMO if you have one pc near to where the router is there is no point connecting wirelessly, might as well save yourself money on the wireless card and just use the ethernet connection instead.

MB

i assumed he wanted his computers to be away from modem/router if he was connecting them both wirelessly guess it was a stupid assumstion on my part.

[bigjazza]

dragon & monkeyb

Thanks. I'm actually intending to have the main PC adjacent to the router and modem. I guess from what you're both saying that I only really need one wireless adaptor and not two as I originally thought!

This is good news - cash wise.

I told you I was a non techie!