Hi guys,

 

I'm just about to order a new broadband connection through Nildram and will need to buy new equipment. The current setup is 2 desktops and one laptop, each with their own dial-up modem. It is my intention to set up a wireless network and have the three share one broadband connection.

 

I've been looking at some Linksys gear which has been recommended to me by a friend. However, having never set up or worked with a wireless network I'm a little confused as to what gear I actually require and how it is all connected.

 

I'm looking at buying a 108Mbit "gateway", 108Mbit PCI card for each desktop and a 108Mbit PCMCIA card (these are all so called "speed booster" bits of kit based on 54Mb ADSL-g). I understand that there is a physical connection between the gateway and the adsl socket. The gateway also has four network connectors at the back. The question is, do I need to connect the two desktops physically to the gateway using these network connections or can they be connected "wirelessly" to the gateway? I would hope so otherwise there isn't much point to a "wireless network" ...

 

Also, apart from the above components are there any other accessories I should be looking at? I will also be getting a wireless print server in due course. Oh, and what is the difference between an ADSL gateway and router?

 

Many thanks for your help!

 

Dan

DO NOT TOUCH Linksys! it is SH*te! Seriously

 

 

Go for the Netgear 108mbps kit

 

Works out of the box, first time, every time.

 

You'll want

1x ADSL Router

1x PCI Wireless

2x PCMCIA Wireless (or USB but I'd recommend the PCMCIA)

 

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/

 

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ShopGroupID=38&CategoryID=277&ProductID=1972

 

from here :)

 

I know the netgear kit inside out too & I know Nildram as an ISP so if you've got any probs/Q's just drop me a note!

Totally agree with Goit - I bought Linksys and it is shite - spend a little bit more.

 

You will need a wireless ADSL router. You will want 54G equipment and it to ideally support WPA-PSK. Just type in 64 hex chars into the router/gateway and put the same into each 'client'. Also best to hide the SSID and use MAC address filtering.

 

You also need to set up a subnet use 192.168.1.1/24 or similar and log onto the router using a web browser. Just enter the router's IP address. You will need to set your IP address to the same network or it may have dhcp enabled.

 

HTH

Martin

oh and

 

A router requires a separate Modem (which means you can connect it to Cable or ADSL as it's basically a 100meg network port)

 

That would have been the choice if your ISP supplied a modem with an Ethernet connection (not USB)

 

A gateway contains the hardware to connect it directly to either an ISDN, ADSL or Cable interface :)

Another important bit...

 

Do any of your existing PC's have a network connection?

 

As you will need to connect with a physical cable, initially, to configure & set up the Router/Modem, once this is done, you can disconnect the cable.

DO NOT TOUCH Linksys! it is SH*te! Seriously

 

 

Go for the Netgear 108mbps kit

 

Works out of the box, first time, every time.

 

You'll want

1x ADSL Router

1x PCI Wireless

2x PCMCIA Wireless (or USB but I'd recommend the PCMCIA)

 

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/

 

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopDetail.asp?ShopGroupID=38&CategoryID=277&ProductID=1972

 

from here :)

 

I know the netgear kit inside out too & I know Nildram as an ISP so if you've got any probs/Q's just drop me a note!

 

 

I agree. LINKSYS is terrible.

i've run linksys for 6 years and it works perfectly,

Did you follow the installation instructions in the box to get it to work.

 

Step 1. Insert CD ROM.

 

Step 2. Run Setup.exe.

 

Step 3. Burn 5 candles and draw a pentagram on the mirror and say the lords prayer backwards at midnight.

 

;) hehe

 

I think the older gear was good, that's how they got the rep, but the recent stuff has been tosh.

I don't install anything on my PC with the linksys gear, maybe thats where peopel are going wrong :D

Dont install the Linksys software just the drivers if you are running windowsXP.

The software automatically sets up the network, as does windowsXP. They both end up clashing with eachother.

BT do a reasonable router with built in modem.

 

Why does the set up need to install anything on the PC? Never needed to...

 

 

Linksys is sh*te though...

 

Netgear are ok, Buffalo are ok but not Linksys...

OK - thank you very much for the feedback! I now understand considerably more and will do some more research.

 

Cheers!

 

Danny

I have used Linksys a number of times but have had two bad experiences with it, I would avoid if possible. My personal favourite is Buffalo for no other reason that I have a heap of their gear, I'm familiar with it's config and it's always worked for me.

 

As I mentioned on one I my rambles about this before, stick with the standards. That means 54Mbit 802.11g. 108Mbit is not ratified and there may be compatibility issues with other cards. By all means use it if you have all Linksys|Buffalo|Netgear kit, but don't expect it to work flawlessly between different manufacturers.

 

Also, I firmly believe that permanent connections should be wired and mobile ones can be wireless. So if you can connect the desktops through cable into the back of the switch, then do so - it's cheaper, faster, more reliable, more secure and less hassle (with the exception of a bit of cable routing).

 

Also, when you're buying the kit, make sure you buy a router that has an ADSL modem included (not just a bridge or router) UNLESS you have cable broadband. If you have BT/telephone ADSL type connection you need a modem/router box, if you have cable then it's typically delivered on Ethernet, so all you need is a router.

 

In either case it needs a good, reliable, easy configure firewall, plus personal firewalls on each of the pc's.

Also, I firmly believe that permanent connections should be wired and mobile ones can be wireless. So if you can connect the desktops through cable into the back of the switch, then do so - it's cheaper, faster, more reliable, more secure and less hassle (with the exception of a bit of cable routing).

 

Also, when you're buying the kit, make sure you buy a router that has an ADSL modem included (not just a bridge or router) UNLESS you have cable broadband. If you have BT/telephone ADSL type connection you need a modem/router box, if you have cable then it's typically delivered on Ethernet, so all you need is a router.

 

In either case it needs a good, reliable, easy configure firewall, plus personal firewalls on each of the pc's.

 

Very good advice, completely agree with Andy. Wireless is good when its handy and you need it ,but cable's are a lot better if the installation is permanent. There is a lot of overhead with wireless, especially as the signal degrades (error checking). You should use cable for your desktops. Dave

Go for netgear mate, never had a problem with it. Had a linksys router at home and sent the f00ker back, they are shite! Netgear aint that expensive either. Alternatively, re-mortgauge and buy cisco gear :D

Thanks again guys!

 

AndyP - thanks for your thoughts ... I have indeed decided that the desktops will be wired into the router/gateway and the two laptop will go wireless.

 

I'm still in two minds about the Linksys gear (which btw is Cisco ...) but will probably go for Netgear equipment as this is what is sold in a shop around the corner (they also use it for their backoffice ...) I'm getting the broadband from Nildram (through BT) so will be on the lookout for an ADSL modem/router combo.

 

Off to the shops I go! :D

 

All the best,

 

Danny