which? network card - Page 2

danielf · 25-04-2005, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

I added another OS

I am looking to buy a router in the next few days, but I would like one that will be able to go through Mandrake as well.

also, what does the 10/100/1000 part mean?

ik

Mbit, the max data transfer speed of the card.

Personally, I would buy a wireless router if I were you. It will require a wireless card for all your machines (and Linux may not support them), but you could still use that cabled.

zovat · 25-04-2005, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

I added another OS

I am looking to buy a router in the next few days, but I would like one that will be able to go through Mandrake as well.

also, what does the 10/100/1000 part mean?

ik

all routers should be OS independant.

to 10/100/1000 refers to the speed of the connection (in Megabits).

Bearing in mind that cable is less than 10 Megabits, you will only see any difference when sending data within your own network.

ikthius · 25-04-2005, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Mbit, the max data transfer speed of the card.

Personally, I would buy a wireless router if I were you. It will require a wireless card for all your machines (and Linux may not support them), but you could still use that cabled.

both comps in the house have a network card, but personally I am not going to go wireless yet, I can't afford extra cards.

ik

danielf · 25-04-2005, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

both comps in the house have a network card, but personally I am not going to go wireless yet, I can't afford extra cards.

ik

Fair enough, but if you are going to fork out for a router, it may be wise to pay a bit more for wireless even if you will not be using it straight away.

However, if money is tight...

ikthius · 25-04-2005, 16:27

with a wireless, one, this may sound stupid, but can you still use cables as well?

ik

danielf · 25-04-2005, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

with a wireless, one, this may sound stupid, but can you still use cables as well?

ik

Yes, (at least with mine you can), sorry, that was the point I was trying to make, but I did not make myself very clear.

edit:
this one has four wired ports, and is a very popular router. You can get that one, start out using it wired, and buy wireless cards if/when you have the money.

ikthius · 25-04-2005, 16:30

ah, right, so then I could go for it, I just thought cause it is wireless you cannot connect cables.

sorry

ik

danielf · 25-04-2005, 16:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

ah, right, so then I could go for it, I just thought cause it is wireless you cannot connect cables.

sorry

ik

Yup (see my edit)

Matthew · 25-04-2005, 17:42

When I bought my router in PC world I took to the counter a Linksys and the bloke said you don't want to get that, get Belkin its cheaper which I did. Never had any problems and straight forward to use. I say get a Belkin router, but then that is my opinion.

jonifen · 25-04-2005, 20:39

I will highly recommend the Linksys BEFW11S4 Router... currently ~ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£42 on http://www.ebuyer.co.uk

A guy who worked where I am got a Belkin (from PC World believe it or not - PC World must get bribed to sell more Belkin stuff!) and he says its great. But I have heard of people say they're not so great. I think its the luck of the draw to be honest...

Many say Linksys' router firmware is weak... but many have said its improving since Cisco Systems have been stamping their impressions onto the kit.

I've heard of some people having trouble with Netgear stuff too... and I find their LAN cards (although pretty cheap and decent quality), they can die pretty miserably.

All in all though, I'd go for the Linksys... but as I have one, I'm biased :p

Alternatively, get a 3com TX-905C NIC (I got one off ebay for ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£5 + ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£1 P&P) - have an onboard dedicated processor to minimalise (sp?) any usage of the main CPU to process it's data.

jtwn · 25-04-2005, 20:48

I have problems with my BEFW11S4, but when it worked fine it worked flawlessly.

I have a Belkin wireless card, based on the Broadcom 54g chipset, tbh, its a heap of **** compared to my old d-link card. Not recommended. Its the one that is in all the dixons group shops..avoid.

Graham M · 25-04-2005, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by zovat

all routers should be OS independant.

to 10/100/1000 refers to the speed of the connection (in Megabits).

Bearing in mind that cable is less than 10 Megabits, you will only see any difference when sending data within your own network.

True although I thoroughly recommend at least a 100MBit cabling standard especially for transferring data between PCs in your house as 10MBit gets terribly sluggish even for LAN gaming.

Matth · 25-04-2005, 22:53

Got a Sweex router myself, ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£25 - looked at the Ebuyer one (Origo/safecom), but got scared of by the speed drop reports on the ADSLTECH forum (all Safecom products there)

Probably firmware-fixed by now, I should think!

ikthius · 26-04-2005, 16:10

ok, guys, I went and got the linksys wireless one, but another wee question:

what kind of cable do I need? I just need one I think, cause I have a cat5 cable that is connecting the both comps, so do I just go for this? 1m UTP CAT-5 Cable (RJ45) from scan at 45p http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=15101

ik

EDIT: bearing in mind I might not buy it online, as carraige will cost about 100 times the cost of the cable

danielf · 26-04-2005, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikthius

ok, guys, I went and got the linksys wireless one, but another wee question:

what kind of cable do I need? I just need one I think, cause I have a cat5 cable that is connecting the both comps, so do I just go for this? 1m UTP CAT-5 Cable (RJ45) from scan at 45p http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=15101

ik

Yes, but presumably you are now using a cross-over (x-over) cable to connect the two machines? You will need to change this to straight through. Either by buying a new cable, or buying an adaptor.