Wireless Router [Archive]

Paddy

10-05-2005, 10:28

Hi, I'm looking at getting a wireless router so's i can move me pc(without having cables all over).
1. Can the router connect into me set top box, before going to a pc?
2. Can I connect more than 1 pc?
3. Can anyone recommend a good 1?
Cheers, Pad.

Neil

10-05-2005, 10:37

Hi, & :welcome: to the site. :)

Without wishing to sound harsh, this is a very common question, & one that can be easily answered by looking through the forum you have posted this in. ;)

Here's a couple of places to start....

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/search.php?searchid=520315

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?f=66

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=27977

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=27767

McGraw

10-05-2005, 10:39

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Belkin stuff is good my Dad has it and I have Linksys so can recommend that too.

He has ADSL so I have only used the ADSL Routers. My Linksys is a cable router only. 11Mpbps only but fine for internet.

My Dad got his stuff from www.savastore.com. ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£100 for a 125 ADSL router, PCMCIA card and PCI card bundle. Very good value.

Paddy

10-05-2005, 10:59

Thanks Neil, but the reason this is my 3rd post in over a year is because I try to find(with a search) what I need to know before asking, but after looking through some of the 200 posts on this subject, it only confused me more.
Cheers McGraw, I'll ave a look.

Hom3r

10-05-2005, 11:31

One small point.

if you get a WAP (wireless access point) to connect to a non-wireless router make sure that they are the same manufacturer.
I have a Belkin non Wi-Fi Router and tried to fix a linksys WAP to it and couldn't get them to work.
I believe that there should be no problems with different Wi-Fi cards though

I personally have a Belkin Cable/DSL router, Belkin WAP 802.11g, & Belkin 802.11g Wi-Fi PCMCIA in my Laptop

MovedGoalPosts

10-05-2005, 12:58

OK, if you want to connect more than one PC, you should use a router. Most wireless routers will also allow wired connections.

Thus you wire between the STB/Cable Modem and Router.

From the router you have the option to hardwire or go wireless, or both.

Individual PCs can thus connect to a wireless router by having their own wireless adaptor card (some modern PCs and especially laptops may already have this built in). Or you can connect via ethernet cable between the router and PC.

If you only use an access point, in place of the router, the system should work, but you would only be able to use one PC at any one time.

If buying today I would recommend you go for the "g" rather than older "b" standard wireless. It works faster. "b" kit will generally work on "g" networks, but only at the "b" speeds.

The sketch attached to this post shows my combination network setup:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showpost.php?p=467209&postcount=11

Hom3r

10-05-2005, 14:28

My wireless access point plugs directly inyo a spare port of my route thus enabling me to access my router from my wireless laptop

(WAP can be also used to connect over a distance as well entending the range in the process)

Halcyon

10-05-2005, 15:12

Anyone know where I can get a cheap wireless access point that will work with a linksys wired router ?
Some I've seen cost loads for what they are.

MovedGoalPosts

10-05-2005, 15:31

Anyone know where I can get a cheap wireless access point that will work with a linksys wired router ?
Some I've seen cost loads for what they are.

ebay :sleep:

When I went to wireless I flogged my wired router on ebay and bought a new wireless one. It worked out a fraction cheaper than if I had just got the acess point. Access points are silly prices when you consider the extra functions of wireless routers.

Paddy

10-05-2005, 15:40

Thanks for the advice so far. Another question is will it slow my internet/pc down?
Thanks again, Pad.

SMHarman

10-05-2005, 15:45

It will not slow down processing on the wireless PC.

If all you are using the wireless PC for is internet surfing then in generall things will not get slower, providing you have a good connection the wireless link will stay above 5Mb and will be faster than your BB connection.

Depending on which level of NTL speed you are on it is possible for the wirleess network speed to drop below the speed of the interntet access (now), but as most single sites will not use the full capacity of a 1Mb BB connection this will not noticably slow your connection.

If you file and printer share then the wireless may be a bit slower than wired, it also may be less reliable. I always find my wireless connection drops when I open 100Mb Outlook.pst files for example.

Hom3r

10-05-2005, 15:57

Anyone know where I can get a cheap wireless access point that will work with a linksys wired router ?
Some I've seen cost loads for what they are.

I strongly recomend that you get a linksys WAP other wise you may get problems, I had problems getting a linksys WAP to be seen by my belkin wired router (never got 'em to find each other) I had to replace the WAP with a Belkin one.

Mr_love_monkey

10-06-2005, 14:58

To avoid starting a new thread...

Probably a daft question, but...

Do all routers as standard (as far as people know) give you the option to restrict internet access for certain machines? i.e. I want to stop, for example, 5 machines from having internet access, but still have access to the intranet, and take advantage of the dhcp function of the router?

Raistlin

10-06-2005, 14:59

Not sure about all but I'm sure that most will do.

Mr_love_monkey

10-06-2005, 15:01

Not sure about all but I'm sure that most will do.
That's what I thought - think as long as I stick to the major brands I should be fine.

Ta

Raistlin

10-06-2005, 15:07

If you go for something like the Linksys WRT54G then it will certainly do what you want it to.

It's a wireless router as well.

You can control be MAC address, IP address, IP address range, restrict web access by keywords in URLs, restrict access to certain specific sites, restrict access by time of day or day of week..... The list goes on :)

Mr_love_monkey

14-06-2005, 20:59

MovedGoalPosts

14-06-2005, 21:14

Ok, I'm looking for recommendations then on a wireless router (with wired connections too) - most likely with an adsl modem in it - (I think the current modem they have only has a usb connection on it - could be wrong though) - as well as an wireless access point - ideally same make - so the chances of it working will be increased...

any thoughts? (links appreciated)

Don't get confused by the terminology. I did and it cost me when I started to buy the wrong stuff. Why do you need a Wireless Access Point if you have a Wireless Router? :confused:

Mr_love_monkey

14-06-2005, 21:16

Don't get confused by the terminology. I did and it cost me when I started to buy the wrong stuff. Why do you need a Wireless Access Point if you have a Wireless Router? :confused:

..because I'm looking to connect up what is at the moment 2 seperate small networks ... and need the access point to give 'net access to the network in a training room

MovedGoalPosts

14-06-2005, 21:26

Ah OK, I understand now. I sort of did something similar, my network setup is detailed in the attachment to this post: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showpost.php?p=467209&postcount=11
(forum wont let me upload the same thing twice.

Note I found the access point DID NOT WORK when used in place of the bridge. Seemed odd that, but no doubt some tech bod can explain why. The bridge did work, of course if your network will pass a lot of files you want the WET54G .11g bridge not the .11b one I used. edit : I see linksys now do a .11g bridge with 5 port switch combined WET54GS5

edit from the linksys range, this is the ADSL modem-wireless router you'd need. 4 ethernet ports (no horrid USB) etc.
http://www.linksys.com/international/product.asp?coid=6&ipid=667

Mr_love_monkey

15-06-2005, 15:07

Aragorn

15-06-2005, 15:19

The first WAP54G is a good price, but ebuyer beats the second by a fair way :http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=59951

Neil

15-06-2005, 16:39

ok, these are the two I will aim for :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008DOYN/qid=1118844060/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_3_8/026-5933653-4284451
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002A45AO/ref=br_lf_li_1_2/026-5933653-4284451

just try and find them cheaper elsewhere now

http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/networking/wireless-access-points/187249/prices

http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/networking/broadband-gateways/199171/prices