Wireless Confusion

B

Bronson7

New Member
Well, I'd like to build a wireless network system for my wife's birthday so she can remotely use her laptop. I don't want to go the ad-hoc method as our desk top pc would have to be powered up and I understand the internet access speed would be cut in half, so I think a wireless router is in order. My confusion lies in what is needed to build this system. I see that some wireless routers have several lan ports. Does this mean I can run my dsl to the router, then hard wire the router to our desktop and install a wireless card in her laptop or do I need a wireless adapter for BOTH computers. I've looked at several diagrams but none have this specific arrangement. Another bit of confusion is I noticed that back of my dsl modem has several lan ports. Can I pick off another port for the wireless router? All I want to do is share internet connections without leaving the desktop pc powered on. I downloaded the manual for a router I'm interested in but again, it wasn't clear to me how to do this (no diagrams). Thanks a bunch.
Bronson7
 
Hello,
Yes you are right on track with the way this is going to work. You plug the modem from the DSL into the Router, and then the LAN port to a Ethernet cable to any PERMANENT device (like a desktop). Then wireless to your laptop. You should check to see what type of wireless card signal your wifes laptop receives (B/G/N etc..) and purchase a router which supports it. I would reccomend using a Linsys as I havent had any problems with them at all. Also Buffalo has been rising in the ranks.

Another thing to consider is the range you want this to operate in. Do you have a large house, or is the house made of a lot of metal/concrete? It may block the signal in spots, so a wireless range extender may need to be used.

Dont spend more than $65 for the router.

Good luck.
 
Thanks Trizoy, that cleared it up for me. She has an older laptop so I'll have to get a card for it. Should be OK as long as I follow what you suggested and make sure it's compatible with the router. Thanks again!
Bronson7
 
Router's are the slowest devices on a network. I'm still rather new to Ad Hoc's, but I seriously can't see it being any slower than using a router. But even so, I'd still go with a router. The configuration's much easier and typically much more stable.

The typical connection to a router would be the modem to the WAN port, then your stationary computers to the other LAN ports(typically just 1 through 4) Plug the desktop into one of those ports, or go wireless if you'd like :rolleyes: It's very easy; the hardest part is typically getting the router connected to the internet. Not that it's very hard, hehe, just the only thing that typically requires any input. Afterwards it's basically plug and play.
 
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