Wireless Routers

nfshirley · 01-04-2004, 16:14

I am looking to install a wireless network at home for a centrino laptop, alongside a second wireless laptop and a cat 5 cabled workstation. What is the best make and model of wireless router to get, if indeed it is a wireless router that I need to share my NTL broadband connection to all three of these devices?

Many thanks for any assistance in advance.

andygrif · 01-04-2004, 16:20

I bought the Linksys WRTG54G - works perfectly, and you can set it so you have either B only mode (like your Centrino), G only mode or a mixture of B&G, so you're sort of future-proofing yourself a little.

Simple to set up, the G was cheaper than the B from Amazon when I bought it, and the coverage seems pretty good too even in my old house with big thick walls, I can still get almost full signal downstairs, with the router upstairs.

zovat · 01-04-2004, 16:58

First of all

to the forum

Quote:

Originally Posted by andygrif

I bought the Linksys WRTG54G - works perfectly, and you can set it so you have either B only mode (like your Centrino), G only mode or a mixture of B&G, so you're sort of future-proofing yourself a little.

Simple to set up, the G was cheaper than the B from Amazon when I bought it, and the coverage seems pretty good too even in my old house with big thick walls, I can still get almost full signal downstairs, with the router upstairs.

Just got one of these myself - cheap, and reliable (I have had a linksys router for a couple of years with no problems - just got this as an all in one and to allow for future "G" devices

If you want to chare your BB you will can either buy a router (and you might as well get a wireless one as you already have wireless cards), or you can use Internet connection sharing (ICS) which is a git to set up, and means that one PC has to be on for any others to connect...

There are a number of wireless routers out there - and all have their merits, I use linksys (owned by Cisco

) but others use netgear, belkin and D-link (to name a few) with similar ease.

If you have a CM then all you need to do is :

power off CM, attach to router, power on CM, power on router (once CM is connected).
the linksys stuff works pretty much out of the box..

with a STB you will need to do a bit more (I can post more detail if needs be), but again it should be pretty painless (fatal last words

)

HTH

Saul's Grandad · 03-04-2004, 16:45

Hi there, bit of a newbie here (i've lurked for a while).

I also have a question about setting up a wireless router. With the Belkin router/hub I have, I realise that I will have to change my cable modem from USB to ethernet connection. Are there any problems I may encounter in doing this or is it just a question of swapping the cables? I am using WinXP Home btw. Please be gentle with me - I don't speak advanced geek

Chris W · 03-04-2004, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul's Grandad

Hi there, bit of a newbie here (i've lurked for a while).

I also have a question about setting up a wireless router. With the Belkin router/hub I have, I realise that I will have to change my cable modem from USB to ethernet connection. Are there any problems I may encounter in doing this or is it just a question of swapping the cables? I am using WinXP Home btw. Please be gentle with me - I don't speak advanced geek

to the site! I hope you enjoy your stay

This shouldn't be any problem at all, 90% of routers are configured to work straight out of the box.

The only thing you need to make sure, is that when you change the connection from USB on your pc to the ethernet for your router, make sure that you turn the modem off for a full 30seconds, otherwise you may get problems.

If you can't get it working... just post on here and there are lots of us that can help!!

Saul's Grandad · 03-04-2004, 21:06

Thanks very much for that. I'm actually going to install the router and set up the network next weekend when my very tech-savvy son visits

- he's asked me to find out if there are any NTL-specific probs as he gets his broadband via a non-cable provider.

It's good to know that there's help on here tho'.

smicer07 · 03-04-2004, 22:10

Can you attach a PS2 to the Linksys WRTG54G as well as a laptop?

Chris W · 03-04-2004, 22:26

As far as i know you can, but i think you would have to put it in the DMZ and ensure any port forwarding options etc are set up... you are probably better off asking someone in the gaming section of the forum.

andygrif · 05-04-2004, 10:48

Linksys do make a specific product for gaming via WiFi which you can find here http://www.linksys.com/international...oid=6&ipid=358

altis · 05-04-2004, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfshirley

I am looking to install a wireless network at home for a centrino laptop, alongside a second wireless laptop and a cat 5 cabled workstation. What is the best make and model of wireless router to get, if indeed it is a wireless router that I need to share my NTL broadband connection to all three of these devices?

Many thanks for any assistance in advance.

Buy this month's PC-Pro magazine. There is a review of several routers and WAPs together with some articles about 'what you need to do' - well worth reading.