Wireless Router - Advice

[Napster]

Naps - are you just trying to scaremonger again. If people know how to secure they connection and use the right level of encryption then wi-fi is secure enough.

Not at all - just pointing out it can be quite risky

 

[BlueJ]

Cheers TPS. Good point about separate electrical circuits... I think, however, all mine run off one ring main, so I should be OK.

Just to clarify your point about Routers... I have got a broadband modem, which I presumed I would simply leave as it is, and plug it into one of these socket router thingys. Is that right?

Finally, Andee... I need to speak to you about security!

:eek:

Matt

If your broadband modem has an ethernet port then everything should be fine.

 

[shrimper4life]

Anyone know how you can find out how fast your current broadband is? I'm not sure if mine is 2meg or higher

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

If your broadband modem has an ethernet port then everything should be fine.

Ooh, dunno. I'll have a look tonight.

Thanks for the tips!

:)

 

[osymandus]

Anyone know how you can find out how fast your current broadband is? I'm not sure if mine is 2meg or higher

The ADSL guides speed test is normaly quite good (theres a few on the net ).
Basicly its down to how far you are from your exchange and how many others share it. I think there was a report that said recently the average is 2meg.

 

[jstallan]

Netgear DG834 from Amazon is £36. It is a wireless (and wired) router, modem and firewall all in one small box, so you can put your current broadband modem (possibly USB) back in the cupboard. It has a 'wizard' to run through the setup - easy peasy.

Then for printing, try HP Photosmart 2575. This is a printer, copier and scanner, but can plug into the router via RJ45 cable. This means that you can print through your wireless connection to it :-) The other week, Apple were selling these printers for £40 (but I can't find it on the Apple store at the moment), but Currys sell them for £65 (rrp is £130 ish)...

 

[jstallan]

The ADSL guides speed test is normaly quite good (theres a few on the net ).
Basicly its down to how far you are from your exchange and how many others share it. I think there was a report that said recently the average is 2meg.

For example http://www.speedtest.net/

My latest figs and I'm on BroadbandMax (up to 8mb)

 

[jstallan]

Matt,

I'm assuming you already have wireless built into the laptop?

John

 

[McScriven]

I actually wouldnt bother with wirless anymore . go for these
(http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...gory_oid=-32721&fm=13&sm=1&tm=4&show_all=true)
Just dont buy it from PC world .

You already have plugs , its faster and more secure the wireless (theres a 200meg solution as well). Plus there are otehr variants that have 4 port hubs on them

A nice winner :D

Electricity and Networking are a big no-no!!! Yeah it works but I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole!

 

[McScriven]

Folks,

I was thinking of buying a Wireless Router for my lap-top at home. Do the computer sages of SZ - and there are many of you - have any tips for me...? Do's & dont's, any brands to recommend, what should I be looking for and how much should it cost...?

All recommendations gratefully received.

Thanks all,

Matt

Go for Linksys, lower end Cisco products but for the home user they are excellent and would not use anything else.

 

[osymandus]

Electricity and Networking are a big no-no!!! Yeah it works but I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole!

Why ??? What have your heard (surges aside ??) . Ok its propably never going to take over the buisness world , but home useage ??

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Electricity and Networking are a big no-no!!! Yeah it works but I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole!

Err yes... why not? First someone said "don't touch wireless, use home elec", now you're saying the opposite!

:cry:

So, why should I not touch it with a bargepole?

Matt

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

Matt,

I'm assuming you already have wireless built into the laptop?

John

No, I don't think I do... the lap-top is a few years old now, but still works well.

Matt

 

[jstallan]

No, I don't think I do... the lap-top is a few years old now, but still works well.

Matt

So in that case you need a Wireless adapter for the laptop as well.. This looks ok http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...m=null&tm=null&sku=568710&category_oid=-28359 and a decent price as well. I've got a few of these for friends and they all work well.

I assume it's an ADSL link and not cable (NTL Telewest/Virgin)

 

[Pubey]

i wouldn't buy a usb wireless adapter just because i hate having them sticking out of the laptop... pcmcia is much more sturdy if you plan on using your laptop around the house

 

[Bob Cratchitt]

The biggest question Matt is where do you wish to use the laptop and will you be near a plug socket at all times?

For me I am sometimes in the garden so wireless is the best option for me. Regarding the networks/electricity basic physics say no due to crosstalk and other interference but as these devices convert the normal network signal into one that can carry across the power lines then you should not have a problem on the distances and the amount of kit to be connected.

On a security front, there are cases where people's powerline networks have sipped into others mains so potentially can be open to unwanted snooping or use. So make sure you get one with encryption and that you enable it.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

After reading all this I think I'll stick to drilling holes and putting cable under carpet. Fcuking Computers!!

 

[osymandus]

The biggest question Matt is where do you wish to use the laptop and will you be near a plug socket at all times?

For me I am sometimes in the garden so wireless is the best option for me. Regarding the networks/electricity basic physics say no due to crosstalk and other interference but as these devices convert the normal network signal into one that can carry across the power lines then you should not have a problem on the distances and the amount of kit to be connected.

On a security front, there are cases where people's powerline networks have sipped into others mains so potentially can be open to unwanted snooping or use. So make sure you get one with encryption and that you enable it.

You'd have to be sniffing for stray packets on someones mains supply to do that surly ? And specifily targeting for certain information ?

 

[osymandus]

After reading all this I think I'll stick to drilling holes and putting cable under carpet. Fcuking Computers!!

I agree , laptops and desktops belong inside , drinks , books and people outside :D. Wireless is a nice gimmick for home use (v useful in certain remoteareas mind ) . Lets leave the pc's inside where they belong

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

For me I am sometimes in the garden so wireless is the best option for me.

Ahh. That's not a bad point.

OK, so the secret is for me to make sure I've got good security / encryption software etc. etc.

Righto. Time to get the brother-in-law over again. He's good at all that sort of stuff!

:D