So i'm looking to set up a Wireless Network at home, which will allow everyone to jump on the ADSL line, rather than have my bedroom as an "Open Access" area.....

I figure i need:

1 x ADSL Modem/Wi-Fi Router

2 x Desktop Wifi PCI Cards

1 x Wifi Laptop Card

My question is this: Having looked at a Linksy ADSL modem/ router, the instructions indicate that to configure it, I need to plug it into an network port on my pc first, which i a bit of a bummer as i don't have one. So do i need to buy a cheap wired network card, or is is easy enough to configure the router wirelessly?

Pretty sure you should be able to configure them wirelessly. If you want to borrow (or buy) a cheap wired network card, give me a shout...

Rob.

Ta very much Rob....

TBH, i only used the term "buy" so no one gets the idea i'd "borrow" one from my employer..... we've got about twenty viglen 667's with wired nics doing nothing, no one would miss for for a few days if needs be......

My concer is simply if a wired point is required, then i could drop one of the desktop pci cads and save myself

Personally I've got a wired network (and cable broadband), so wireless and ADSL isn't something I've had more than a play with.

Netgear stuff comes highly recommended - if you want a fast LAN too, then if you have a Netgear 802.11G router and Netgear 802.11G NICs they can use their own protocol which doubles the transfer speed up to about 102MBps. And they have just reduced their prices...

Rob.

Ive got a netgear wifi/adsl modem/router at home + linksys wifi cards in laptops + desktops. You simply switch on the router, then plug your wifi card into laptop, it should find the router. Login with default password + enter your settings. Peasy Squeezy!

Hmmm.

My experience of Netgear hardware has been less than stellar.

had a wifi access point which plugged into the wired network in the office.Plugged in, connected & configured, fell over two hours later. Had to hard reset the netgear hardware. same again. and then same again.

New replacement arrives next day, same over and over again...

Cheap and cheerful won't compensate if it's a total pain in the derriere to set up...

EDIT : using Linksys kit end-to-end is a bi cheaper too (router is

The last wired NIC I bought cost the princely sum of

If you do go for a combined ADSL modem/router, think about getting one with a built-in firewall. They don't cost much more, and they do add an extra level of security. I'm using an SMC Barricade 4-port (wired) unit; there's a similar wireless one available as well. They are really easy to set up via the built-in web interface.

netgear and Linksys version both have integrated firewall, which will be better than just running ZoneAlarm (as i do now)

Some routers (mine, for example) don't allow admin from a wireless port, to prevent hacking.

For the cost of a network card and a cable I reckon it's worth it! Ebuyer will sell you a 10/100 wired card for less than

alternatively, "borrow" from work (my preferred, and cheaper, method)

But once the admin is sorted, can i ditch the wired part? I was hoping to locate the router out of the way a bit as opposed to sitting on desk.

I run a Belkin Wireless network with a netgear modem, no problems so far, never switch it off. Did have to fiddle with Channel No.s but apart from that its ok. The wireless can handle 2 people playing BF1942 Online at once. If you need any help setting just ask!!! You will need to get yourself a LAN Card and some wire as its just that little bit of peace of mind if all goes pear shaped!!!!

Oh and my router is down stairs near the phone socket and the computers are upstairs!!!!

Matt

Oh and my router is down stairs near the phone socket and the computers are upstairs!!!!

Thats my ultimate aim, though the family might have other ideas (compromises are order of day, living with Parents :thumbdwn: )

I'd still keep the current ADSL modem in a drawer somehere, in case it went down so i'd still be able to have a wired backup, albeit operating from the internet drop in centre that doubles as my bedroom at the moment.

I'd still keep the current ADSL modem in a drawer somehere

Surely you could plug your existing ADSL modem into a wireless router? Would mean you wouldn't be buying the same functionality twice...

Rob.

indeed i probably could, but the ADSL modem connects to a PC to draw it's power ans sits upstairs via a long extension lead - meaning ppl still have to go in my room to switch on the PC to activate the modem and dial up the adsl.

Besides, Linksys ADSL modem.router.wifi point under

Besides Rob, as a fellow techie, more is better...

Nooo...minimalism is best, keep it nice and simple and cheap...

But yeah, if your ADSL modem gets power from a PC then the "all-in-one" option seems better. I suppose in a way that is keeping it simpler...

And I guess it would depends which aspects of Helga would be described as "more" as to whether they were actually better...

Rob.

much simpler, as after i've configured it all, i can unplug it from the pc, and it'll still work fine.

Just occurred to me that there might be some issues with power - will it lose the settings if the power is switched off?

hmmm *plots power points and extension cable routings ....*

As for Helga.......more is generally better, but there is a point at which more becomes "TOO MUCH" :eek: :eek: :eek:

Should store settings on a flash ROM type thing, so you shouldn't need to reset everything once it's unplugged...

Rob.