Afternoon all,

I'm looking for a bit of help in sorting out my broadband connection at home. I've got one desktop PC, with a ethernet adapter built in. I've also got my work laptop with a wireless thingy card built in. the G/F has just ordered a laptop with a similar wireless card built in. (both are Dell laptops)

I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of a guide for buying and installing a wireless broadband router, so that all three computers can access the internet via my broadband connection. It would also be pretty useful to enable the computers to talk to eachother, like a mini network.

has anyone got anything that may help me? Apologies for sounding like a total numpty, but my strong point is CAD, not networking!

Cheers
Andy

I used a 3com ASDL/Cable router, plugged it in and set all PCs to DHCP (auto IP addressing) it works that simple.

I've added security after but its simple until then.

Routers are quite easy to set up these days. We got one at the start of the year for our house.

You just plug the internet connection (ADSL or whatever) straight into the back of the router and thats about it. Try and get a router with the facility for wired LAN connections as well seeing as you alread have an ethernet adapter.

To get all the computers to talk to eachother you just need to set up an infrastructure network (to share a net connection) on the router, then get the laptops to search for the network and connect to it. (Wirless network names are call SSID)

The main problem with wireless is security. Make sure you set up a proper encrypted wireless network (details for your router will be in the instructions).

Problems:
Make sure all your wireless adpters and the router are set on the same channel (i think standard in the uk is 11)

Make sure you have the right security key typed into the laptops so they can acess the network...

We have a BT Voyager 2100 router, its got 4 wired network ports as well as wireless, and it seems quite a good router.

Probably missed something vital out....but its a start.

Cheers,
David

If you're choosing a router it might be worth considering one that has a built in print server with USB connection.

Also worth considering is VOIP capability - i.e. phone calls over the internet (v. cheap).

Check out Draytek for products and information.

I've got a 3com wireless router and a couple of laptops in the house, but I still have to physically connect to the printer to print - very untidy

Cheers

Nick

Nick, you should be able to print over the network...though only if you have got the printer connected to one of the computers on the network and it happens to be on...

David

PS if anyone wants a USB wireless network adapter (54Mb/s) then i have one i dont want... U2U if interested...

I did the same thing - got an 802.11g adapter and likewise router connected them installed software and it automatically configures through the parent PC to get the ADSL connection. Brilliant - I now have access to the internet from all of my PC's using one connection.

I had to use a default network port IP address though to get connected initially.

HTH

I don't want to hijack the thread too much, but what do I need to connect my PS2? I've just got a USB ADSL modem at the moment.

Cheers

it has been said allready but what the heck SECURITY think about it. and one again for good mesure SECURITY.

ok as some one who is wrighting this responce by borowing some band with from some one near buy. do not think you will just be ok as you may not. if I so desired I could have compleat acces to this persons PC not just the internet. think about all the stuff that is on youer pc accounts, data, porn or some one could put stuff ther.

dont just leave passwords as default. pick a password that is not a dictonary word and containes both numeric and alperbetic carictors.

also back up your stuff.

I know this probably sounds a bit or a rant but it would save me a lot of my free time if pepol folowed the advice.

netgear all the way... no probs so far

DG834g - router
wge101 - games console
wg121 - pcs/laptops

my pc went down the other day and I needed to get on the net to fix it. Used my girlfriends pc and did a scan for my neighbours wireless broadband.... hehe 2 mins later and I was surfin the net on his 1Mb broadband link.... think I might cancel my broadband and use his!!!
Always use WEP keys and passwords... but dont use your birthdays or pets name or the word 'Password'!!!!

[Edited on 21/3/05 by richijenkin]

Okay, I've just been looking at the netgear DG834g, and this seems to fit the bill.

http://www.lanshop.co.uk/productcategorydetail.aspx?categoryid=53102

I've read through the specs on that site above, and it seems to have everything i need. The wireless access point, and a couple of ethernet ports too (for the desktop).

One thing i am tryingt o figure out is how to attach my printer, so that any computer on the mini network can use it, without having to manually plug it in. the problem is it is a USB printer, and doesn't have a wireless facility. Is it possible to get something that would allow it to connect to the DG834g, either wireless-ly or via a cable?

I'm looking for a nice cheap place to get all this stuff from now. oh, and I've just realised I spelt broadband wrong on the thread title... Doh!

Thanks for the help folks, it is much appreciated!
andy

Edit. why is this bold? Gremlins in the matirx I reckon!....

[Edited on 22/3/05 by bigandy]