TP-Link TL-WR642G file share question + general wifi ICS advice please :)

Midnight Tboy · 10-03-2008, 10:00

Hey there,

ok so I've been using a wired connection for so long now and have always put off getting a wireless connection. However, after finally caving in and upgrading my previous laptop, I wish to look at getting a decent suitable wifi router or similar.

At the moment, I have main pc upstairs (no built in wifi), with Virginmedia NTL Ambit 120 modem. I then have a long x-over lead hidden away that connects to the Xbox1/360/old laptop downstairs.

I was thinking of getting the TP-Link TL-WR642G router as that seems to get a few good reviews, but want to check a couple of quick things out first.

I'm planning probably to move the modem and router to downstairs, near the xbox locations, and hard wire them to the router, and then have the main pc upstairs receive the net wirelessly from that if possible.

1. Do these also allow file sharing, or is it just internet access as I believe some routers dont allow you to send and receive files between computers? This is essential as I often like to stream divx content to my xboxes from the main pc upstairs.

2. Do these TP-Links come with a wifi usb receiver for my main pc or would I need to buy one seperate?

3. Alternatively, is it possible to not get a router as such, leaving the pc and modem as they are....then if I buy a wifi USB adapter for the pc, is it possible to set up an Internet Connection Share that way, kind of like how I have the hardwire set up at the mo, using the main pc as a gateway?

thanks for your help from a wifi noob

Tuck

haydnwalker · 10-03-2008, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnight Tboy

Hey there,

ok so I've been using a wired connection for so long now and have always put off getting a wireless connection. However, after finally caving in and upgrading my previous laptop, I wish to look at getting a decent suitable wifi router or similar.

At the moment, I have main pc upstairs (no built in wifi), with Virginmedia NTL Ambit 120 modem. I then have a long x-over lead hidden away that connects to the Xbox1/360/old laptop downstairs.

I was thinking of getting the TP-Link TL-WR642G router as that seems to get a few good reviews, but want to check a couple of quick things out first.

I'm planning probably to move the modem and router to downstairs, near the xbox locations, and hard wire them to the router, and then have the main pc upstairs receive the net wirelessly from that if possible.

1. Do these also allow file sharing, or is it just internet access as I believe some routers dont allow you to send and receive files between computers? This is essential as I often like to stream divx content to my xboxes from the main pc upstairs.

2. Do these TP-Links come with a wifi usb receiver for my main pc or would I need to buy one seperate?

3. Alternatively, is it possible to not get a router as such, leaving the pc and modem as they are....then if I buy a wifi USB adapter for the pc, is it possible to set up an Internet Connection Share that way, kind of like how I have the hardwire set up at the mo, using the main pc as a gateway?

thanks for your help from a wifi noob

Tuck

I'm not sure how good they are in terms of reliability etc but should do all you want it to do.

You don't need to use ICS to share your internet connection as the point of a router is that it routes traffic to the internet from all PCs connected to it either wirelessly or hard wired. Its also got an integrated switch (most usually do). This will allow you to share files over the local network.

You basically plug the VM Cable Modem into one of the ports (usually marked WAN) on the Wireless router and then plug your hard wired PCs/xboxes into the other LAN ports (usually 4 of them) and use wireless for the rest of it.

It doesn't come with a USB Wi-Fi adaptor. I would steer clear of them anyway as they aren't very powerful compared to a PCI alternative (not as good range etc).

Midnight Tboy · 10-03-2008, 10:52

thanks for the reply haydnwalker. Only real reason I was wondering about using ICS was as a cheapo alternative to buying the router :P Thinking of possible to just plug one of them in and have it ICS share through that and saving the need to use a router....but for the sake of what is only a few quid its worth getting the router, as then dont have to rely on the pc being turned on (even tho it usually is

) My main concern was about the file sharing for media streaming to the xbox.

Would you say its worth paying a little more money and get a box like the d-link or am I likely to not really see any or much notable difference....I just live in a fairly small house with about 20m length garden so dont need a huge range, just reliability

haydnwalker · 11-03-2008, 08:58

Usually I would say spend a bit extra but looks like it'll do the job you want, AND... - if you bought it and it didnt do the job you wanted it for you could always send it back for a refund...?

Also, better range @ longer distances *should* mean better reliability @ shorter distances. Also if you live in an older house then the signal should be a bit stronger through brick walls etc with a longer range.

The box you chose should allow media streaming as its got an integrated switch. The issue would be with your PC's firewall (if you're using it). Local network (IE devices connected to the router) are not restricted on traffic types (unless you specify such restrictions).