So, we're finally getting broadband (ADSL) here, provided by work, and the 'modem' (also provided by work) is sitting in front of me. It's a ZyXEL Prestige 600, in case it matters. Apparently we have a PSTN line (whatever that is) and bandwidth will be "1024/256". IP address is dynamic.[1] Next step is to enable wireless connection so that 2 of us could work at the same time and anywhere in the house. This is something I know **** all about, so a couple of questions: The picture on the back of the box shows a "G-2000 Plus" wireless router connected to the ethernet port, so can I assume that this is a normal way these things work? Presumably there are many such products out there; indeed, a quick web search shows loads, from about 30 quid up; is there any point spending a lot of time deciding which one is best? What sort of differences should I be looking at? Will there be any compatibility issues? Do they vary much in reception range? If so, how do I know? We've both got Cisco 802.11a/b/g [1] wireless adaptors, if it makes a difference. Any info gratefully received. Techy-speak replies will be lost on me, so if you can't put it into terms as simple as I've used above, don't waste your time on me. Ta. [1] I'm just quoting what's on the box/ unit/ info sheet it came with - these terms mean **** all to me. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing) `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10 `\|/` `
If you've got Cisco cards, then get a Cisco (or Linksys) router. Different makes should be compatible, but it can cause problems. I've got a Linksys WRT54GS which is 802.11g & should do the job nicely, although it might be overkill as it's got 4 ethernet ports as well as wireless. -- Krusty www.MuddyStuff.co.uk Off-Road Classifieds '02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250
And this will connect to the 'modem' using the ethernet port as on my diagram, will it? Seem to be available at around 40 quid, so I'm not really bothered if it's 'overkill'. But presumably connecting via the ethernet port would give a better connection than wireless, so it may be useful at times. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing) `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10 `\|/` `
No surprises there. They are paying for it, and the line rental, so I can't complain. Right, I may do that. Why that particular model? And what would such a unit be called, in generic terms? -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing) `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10 `\|/` `
Not sure you'd notice the difference with a pikey 1024 connection, but my wired PCs are certainly faster than the wireless ones, so it's possible. -- Krusty www.MuddyStuff.co.uk Off-Road Classifieds '02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250
Its an ADSL Wireless Modem/Router youre after.. A generic router *wont* have an ADSL Modem built in (however, they will quite frequently describe themselves as ADSL/Cable Routers) Basicly, just make sure that it has a modem built in. Netgear make decent stuff, as do Linksys. The Belkin routers are fine, but dont buy any of their Wireless Adapters- shockingly bad pieces of kit.
PSTN = Public Switched Telephone Network - ie a regular phone line and not one going through a local PABX Important point is to get a wireless access point rather than a wireless router if you already have a DSL router - you could try using a wireless router but you *will* have problems until you figure out how to disable the bits that you don't need (ie the routing bit). Shouldn't do - we have all sorts of different cards connecting to our work access point (which is a Cisco corporate one). Get an access point, plug it into the DSL router/modem, put the supplied CD into your PCs and run the install. The install should allow you to locate and setup (automagically) the access point. You will need to know what the internal IP address of your DSL router is though. Phil
Nah - that's the whole point of the standard. *Any* 11a/b/g standard card has to be able to talk to *any* standard a/b/g access point or router - otherwise it ain't standard. The ones to beware of are manufacturers jumping the gun on non-ratified stadards (double-rate 11g for example) - they almost certainly won't work with other peoples versions of the non-ratified standards. Except he already has the DSL router - he only needs a wireless access point. Phil
Unless I take Ginge's advice and don't bother using the existing kit. But what's the easiest to set up? Ooops. Is this bit actually required? Only the machines are locked down so tight we can do almost _nothing_ on them. Shouldn't any old machine be able to find the connection? It says it's Dynamic, or is that not the same thing? -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing) `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10 `\|/` `
Very pleased with my 3com jobby. Wireless, plus 4 connection ethernet hub, firewall router/modem. Personally I would recommend using a wired connection if possible, particularly if you are going to install it next to a desktop. Seems to happily work with Sony (PCMIA) or Belkin (USB) wireless adapters as well as the 3com one it came bundled with. The only problem is range. Not brilliant, but my house was built from semi-engineering brick in 1924. -- +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Pete Fisher at Home: | | Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest | | Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
'cause that's the one with "combined ADSL2+ compatible modem", "4 ethernet ports", and "wireless access point" (which are the 3 things you're looking for in such a device)... It's also the model that Bear managed to set up, so should be fairly non-techie friendly. It'll be called a "Wireless ADSL Router".
Also as Krusty suggested, linksys are a reliable choice too.. Their current equivalent looks to be a "WAG200G"
If you have the bit of paper with the DSL settings (login, DSL type etc etc) then Ginge's way is easier - you just have one device to worry about. And I second his recommendation of Netgear - they are far and away the best of the DSL routers for home use. Yeah - all that is required is that it runs a program which does a broadcast to find the access point. Once it's found it it points your web-browser at the access point/router and you can run the setup wizard on the device itself. If your DSL router is doing any kind of NAT (Network Address Translation) at all it will have two IP addresses - a 'real' public IP address (which can be dynamic - you really only need static IP addresses if you are running servers) and an internal private IP address (usually in the 192.168 range). The advantage with NAT is that you can have multiple internal devices that look like a single IP address externally as source addresses on outbound packets are translated to look like they came from the 'real' IP address and the reply packets are retranslated on the way back in so that they end up at the right device. Most DSL routers do NAT as standard because it's only sad tech-heads like me (or people using DSL as backup for leased lines) that tend to want to run servers off a DSL line. Most people are also assigned a single IP address by their ISP so if they want to run more than 1 PC internally they have to use NAT to do it. Phil.
Meanwhile, back in the real world... -- Krusty www.MuddyStuff.co.uk Off-Road Classifieds '02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250
So which part of the "we have a Cisco 11g router and use all sorts of different wireless cards" escaped your notice? I know that there *were* real problems with interoperability in the early days of wireless but part of the 11x standard is that the device *has* to work with anything that adhere to the same standard. Phil
I've *always* mixed and matched network kit, the only problem I've ever had was with the TI ACX101 based cards.. which used proprietary firmware and didn't follow the 802.11b standard properly.
Why can't I just use my normal wireless connection client to find it? <snip> That's a big whoosh. You have a seasoned tech-support-head's way of making the most simple tasks sound incredibly complicated. -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing) `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10 `\|/` `
I meant why the Netgear one - there must be loads of others. Well that's gotta be a good point, for sure. Err, given that you're recommending a combined device, won't it be a modem/wireless router as suggested by other peeps? -- _______ ..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom) \`\ | /`/ GSX-R1000K3 (slightly broken, currently missing) `\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10 `\|/` `
It is complicated in theory.. but in practise all you need to do is run the setup wizard on the device via a web-browser and plug in some values. The rest is just window dressing. Phil
