Buying a wireless router, need some info

Gorilla

I'm looking into getting a wireless router but I haven't exactly got a clue what they are. I know that they act as a kinda hardware firewall or something.

Sorry if I'm wrong but does a wireless router allow me to use my broadband(connected by Skytel) on a computer upstairs while the actually wired Ethernet connection is downstairs? And does the computer downstairs need to be on to use the computer upstairs for broadband? I know the computer upstairs will have to have an adapter to be able use the router but will I need one for the downstairs one to(my main computer).

Sorry if I'm making you confused too.

dub45

Gorilla wrote:

I'm looking into getting a wireless router but I haven't exactly got a clue what they are. I know that they act as a kinda hardware firewall or something.

Sorry if I'm wrong but does a wireless router allow me to use my broadband(connected by Skytel) on a computer upstairs while the actually wired Ethernet connection is downstairs? And does the computer downstairs need to be on to use the computer upstairs for broadband? I know the computer upstairs will have to have an adapter to be able use the router but will I need one for the downstairs one to(my main computer).

Sorry if I'm making you confused too.

Really you should do some reading up on this yourself and try and get an understanding of what exactly happens when a router is introduced to the system.

Basically and very simplistically a router allows one or more computers to be connected to the net at the same time or separately. Think of a switchboard which allows several extensions to use the one phone line as a very rough analogy.

In your situation the computer downstairs would connect to the router by ethernet cable - and the computer upstairs can connect wirelessly via an wireless adaptor (it can be installed as a wireless card or attached via usb)

The two pcs will be totally independent of each other as regards the net (thanks to the router!) and one does not have to be switched on for the other to be used.

There are many basic introductions on the net to wireless networking - read up a bit - you don't have to understand everything but a very broad idea of what is going on is a big help when problems arise etc etc.

Many routers will also incorporate a firewall as you mention but in general this will look after itself and in the beginning you certainly don't have to worry about the firewall.

What is a router? http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101435.asp

General Information: http://netgear.co.uk/home_networking.php

Gorilla

Thank You!, I was wondering when someone was gonna reply.