Clueless about wireless (routers?)

Hey all,

Not too long ago, about three or four months, I bought a router for my room so I could set up XBox LIVE and use my PC's internet at the same time. The router is wired and I'm happy with it like that (lack of knowledge about wireless stuff and general feeling that wired may be more consistent for online gaming made me not bother looking into wireless).


Anyway,

I bought a laptop two days ago and just realised how useless computers can be without an active internet connection.


With that in mind, I'd like to set up something so I can use my laptop around the house with internet on it.


So, essentially, I think my question is (keeping in mind I've no idea about modems or routers at all) are there any routers out there that will let me use both wired and wireless internet simultaneously (so i can slap the ethernet cables from my PC and XBox into it, but still have wireless capability for the laptop)?


If there is, can anyone recommend me one? (I'd rather not spend a lot on it though, if that's possible).


One other question, I have Irish Broadband Breeze (antenna on the roof). If there is a router out there that will do what i want, is it as easy as buying it and replacing my other router with it, or is it much more complex than that?!



Huge thanks in advance to anyone able to give me a push in the right direction here.:)

yoyo

Something like THIS would do it, simply connect the network cable from your irish broadband router into the back of it, then you can connect devices via cable (4 ports available) and can also set up wireless

Nick

yoyo

yoyo wrote: »

Something like THIS would do it, simply connect the network cable from your irish broadband router into the back of it, then you can connect devices via cable (4 ports available) and can also set up wireless

Nick

Can i ask you, would this work the same way?


http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/6750392/Trail/searchtext%3EROUTER.htm



The one you linked to is not in stock

yoyo

Deleted User wrote: »

Can i ask you, would this work the same way?


http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/6750392/Trail/searchtext%3EROUTER.htm



The one you linked to is not in stock

The Belkin would work, But having bad expieriences in the past with that brand, I would try to avoid it, for €55 argos have a linksys, which are a relyable brand (home version of Cisco), you can see it here

Nick

marco_polo

This one is in stock for 34.

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=321925

The beklin is faster (G+ @ 125 MBS as opposed to G @ 54MBS), but it depends on what standard your wireless card is. If is is just the G standard then ther is not much point buying a more expensive router that has extra speed that your card cannot use (It will still work with it but just will not be able to take full advantage of it, unless you want upgrade potential for the future).

Or as you already have a router you could simply get a wireless access point and attach that to your router.

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=346636

marco_polo

marco_polo wrote: »

it depends on what standard your wireless card is.

OK, I'm going to sound very silly here, but what the hell is that!? Is it built-in to the laptop or something i must buy seperately (as I say, I'm clueless about this kinda thing, but I suppose I'll never learn if i never ask).

The laptop I'm using is a SONY VAIO NS20E/S. Will that make any difference to anything at all!?



As for the access point, considering it's price is almost the same as a whole new wireless router, I'd rather just get a new router to avoid the additional clutter.


Thanks a lot.:)

MunsterCycling

From my quick read of the specs, your laptop has N wireless (it's just a designation given to the different classes of wireless out there, b then g and now n (although there is an a class too but thats another story))

Linksys would be a good choice as has been suggested (this has been the stalwart of the Linksys brigade but here are others) and you might pick one up over at www.adverts.ie (sister site to boards.ie) for cheap. After that the Netgear suggested is a good choice and whatever you do avoid Belkin wireless gear its pants and has been for years.
A selection to choose from.

MC

Thanks munster




So would I be right in saying that every wireless router has ethernet ports for using wired connections?




To be honest, I'm starting to re-consider the wireless access point that marco_polo recommended, as it seems to be the most straight forward option (judging bythe reviews).


Can anyone tell me though, (Im assuming) the wireless access point is just connected via ethernet to my current router (after i set it up on the laptop)? Or am I over-simplifying it?



Sorry for going on about this, but I really don't want to buy a wireless router or access point, only to realise that it isn't compatible with my laptop and I've to buy another one or something like that

marco_polo

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks munster

So would I be right in saying that every wireless router has ethernet ports for using wired connections?

Generally most do but if you are buying a router check the fine print just to be sure it has ethernet ports.

To be honest, I'm starting to re-consider the wireless access point that marco_polo recommended, as it seems to be the most straight forward option (judging bythe reviews).

Technically the G access point is slower than your N card would be capable of but if you have just one device to connect to it, an N standard router or access point would be overkill and a good deal more expensive. Even the 54 MBS G standard is much faster than, and would be limited by, the speed of your broadband connection (@ I presume somewhere between 1 -10 MBS tops).

Can anyone tell me though, (Im assuming) the wireless access point is just connected via ethernet to my current router (after i set it up on the laptop)? Or am I over-simplifying it?


Sorry for going on about this, but I really don't want to buy a wireless router or access point, only to realise that it isn't compatible with my laptop and I've to buy another one or something like that

Yep the access point would simply plug into the existing router. Should be no problem whatsoever to setup (And you can always start a thread here if there are any )