Wireless internet question

[Jumpervint 0]

Okay all you wireless internet experts:

I have DSL. If I want to make it wireless, do I merely need to change out my cable router (connected to my DSL gateway) to a wireless router? Can I still connect my ethernet desktop connections to it?

Both of my daughters will have their wireless laptops home for the summer, and I want to be able to be online and not share my desktop.
This way, they can sit in their rooms and we can all surf.

Thanks,

Vint

. . . . .
"Make it hard again." Doc Ed

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

[Derekbox 0]

Simple answer - You DO NOT switch out the router, you add a wireless router. I have used and like Linksys but any should work. Most all wireless routers have ethernet ports, so you can also plug in several devices into the router. (Your computer would be hooked up with a wire, the laptops wireless). One thing to be aware of is that there are 3 different wireless standards, A/b/G. Make sure the router supports what ever the laptop wireless uses. If you or they dont know, its probably A/B. Just get an A/B router. Hope this wasnt to confusing. Derek

[Derekbox 0]

This unit will support all 3 standards:
WRT55AG

It can be had for $130 at best buy. If you can wait, you can find it online cheaper, or an equivilant unit from a competitor cheaper.

[Kris 0]

Quote

This unit will support all 3 standards:
WRT55AG

It can be had for $130 at best buy. If you can wait, you can find it online cheaper, or an equivilant unit from a competitor cheaper.

Running router-behind-router is a nightmare of setup for home use.

I'd just get a wireless ethernet router, like the one Derek had listed above. I run it in my house and it has an ethernet switch built in so that you can also plug your computer directly into it.

Forget $130 at Best buy though. You can get it through Newegg.com for $109 with a $30 mail-in-rebate making it $79.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124024

For the laptops, setup WPA excryption using a pre-shared key, don't broadcast your SSID, and use MAC-address filtering.

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[BIGUN 1,314]

Quote

For the laptops, setup WPA excryption using a pre-shared key, don't broadcast your SSID, and use MAC-address filtering.

Very important. Read up on this prior to setting up the wireless.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[gravitational 0]

Best to figure out the standard on the lappy first. B,G are more plentiful than A (shorter range). A B router is the cheapest and I've seen them for $10. A G router even at best buy will run $69 (WRT54G) or $89 (WRT54GS) & get the $30 rebate.
If you're real adventureous, update the firmware with one that isn't written by Linksys. You can increase the range with a few mouse clicks.
If you're going for budget, get the Dlink DI-524 (B,G compatible) and watch for rebates on this one from Best Buy or CompUSA. When the rebates are included, it's generally $20 after.
I've had experience with all of these and use the Linksys flavors primarily with aftermarket firmware.

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Michael

[Jumpervint 0]

One of the laptops is an older (3 years old) iBook with Airport card (don't know whether it's a,b or g) and the other is a newer Powerbook with a g compatible Airport card. Anything I should worry about making it work with a Linksys router?

This is interesting. Is there a wireless for dummies book?

Vint

. . . . .
"Make it hard again." Doc Ed

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free” Nikos Kazantzakis

[gravitational 0]

pull the older card out and post the model number. I'd assume it's a B, but easy enough to find. the Linksys wireless routers and others for the most part are pretty much plug and play. There are some configuration settings you'll want to do so (people like me) don't borrow your internet connection or tap into your home network when their power or internet connection is out.

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Michael

[skymedic 0]

Airport express....works for us. no problems with it at all. Well had a couple of hic ups when I installed Tiger but since I reconfigured it, it has been great.
if you have a three year old iBook with an original airport card it is B comapable...if you mix and match B and G on the same router you will get reduced performance..but nothing that is reall all that appreciable.
Also..I have DSL that is connected to my airport extreme in the other room with all my stereo equipment. I then can stream music from my imac G5 to the stereo without issue. added benefit to it all.

marc

[ltdiver 3]

"G" is backwards compatible. You won't go wrong if you buy this one.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[gravitational 0]

Quote

"G" is backwards compatible. You won't go wrong if you buy this one.

ltdiver

To clarify, backwards compatible with B, not A.

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Michael

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

This unit will support all 3 standards:
WRT55AG

It can be had for $130 at best buy. If you can wait, you can find it online cheaper, or an equivilant unit from a competitor cheaper.

The Linksys WRT54G is backwards compatible as well. 4 wired ports and A/B/G wireless access. I picked mine up at the PX here on Bondsteel for $60 bucks, so I know you can find it out in the world cheaper.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[tustinr 1]

I set up my wireless router last week and it couldn't have been easier. Dlink DSL 604T router with 4 ethernet plugs. Set up my desktop with a USB Adaptor as I don't have an ethernet card PCI card. Works like a dream. 15 minutes and it was up and running. Loaded a wireless laptop card in my laptop too - simple - and its a 6 yr old laptop. No problems.

Rich

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Everything that happens to you in life is your teacher. The secret is to learn to sit at the feet of your life and be taught.