Hello

I am hoping to get braodband!

As im not very technical minded I was hoping there was a wizz out there who could help me!

I want to route the broadband between 3 laptops in different rooms. What do I need and how do I do it?

Please no jargon speak plz! I understand i have to get a router??

I also dont have a laptop that has a card slot for a wireless adaptor, but im assuming i can still use the broadband connection via a wire??

Any advice?

Hi

You will need an ADSL router of some description. Take a look at http://www.plus.net/products/hardware/ for expamples of the wireless sort.

If you PM me ill give you my email address and ill explain all if you wish!

I would recommend a Netgear DG834G as a wireless router. Very easy to setup and reliable, and a reasonable price too.

For the laptop with no PC card slot, if it is to work by wire it needs to have a network port on the machine (looks like a modem\phone port but slightly bigger). The other option is a USB wireless adapter.

First you need to decide whether you are prepared to run a cable from the main pc to the others.


If you go the cable route you then need to decide whether you are going to leave the main pc on all the time for the other machines to access the internet.

If cable and pc on is cheapest and you just need a basic router and some cables.

Next option if you DONT want to leave main pc on all the time you will need a router with inbuilt modem.

This can be either wired or wireless.

I have work and home setup via a WAG54G wireless router with built in adsl modem.

This unit connects itself to the internet permanantly.
The unit then has 4 connections on the back for hardwiring pc's to and also has aerials for wireless access.

For me at home this works like this.

The main pc upstairs is physically wired to the router (because its next to it). Then i have a Shuttle pc under the tv downstairs which works on wireless and my laptop which at work or home i just open up and connect wireless.'

Hope some of this makes sense if not answer us the how you connect questions and we can offer advice for that specific area.

Originally posted by NUCAD
If you go the cable route you then need to decide whether you are going to leave the main pc on all the time for the other machines to access the internet.

If cable and pc on is cheapest and you just need a basic router and some cables.

Next option if you DONT want to leave main pc on all the time you will need a router with inbuilt modem.

??? If you get a router you don't need to leave a PC on. In both of your options you have listed a router, only in one solution you say the PC needs to be on and in the other you say it doesn't.

Another one for the 'I know nothing about networks' section.

That depends whether the router has an inbuilt ADSL modem or whether it relies on the main pc to connect to the internet.

If you read carefully it says BASIC router !! :loopy:
Then says for other option router with built in modem.

Either im going daft or your bored !!!!:suspect:

Originally posted by NUCAD
That depends whether the router has an inbuilt ADSL modem or whether it relies on the main pc to connect to the internet.

I think you're confusing 'router' and 'crappy USB modem'. Routers don't rely on a connection to the PC to provide internet access, crappy USB modems do.


Originally posted by NUCAD
Either im going daft or your bored !!!!:suspect:

The former. :wink:

My set up is as follows:

Cable Modem plugs into Netgear Wirless Router.

Pc has wireless usb network adapter,laptop has wirless network card.

pc and laptop can be in any room,,simple setup no complications,no wires,no hassle.

Stop
Just a word of warning! Most people seem to assume that you are getting ADSL is this correct?
Carry on

Smartest way to do this... Get a wireless router that can be left out without having to leave a computer on.

Why? Simple..
- Most routers will come with a firewall that should help protect you against people trying to access your machine/network.
- You can leave your router on and turn your PC off without affecting anyone elses access to the net.




For Cable modems (eg: Telewest supplied broadband) you should buy a Wireless Cable Router eg:
Linksys WRT54GS-UK (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?product_uid=63763)
Because a cable modem will invariably provide you with an ethernet port (ie: network cable socket) you just need to connect it to the WLAN port on the router.



For ADSL broadband (ie: over your phone line) you can either:

1. Buy an ADSL router being careful to check that your chosen model actually has an ADSL modem built into the unit (many don't so be careful!)
For example you might want something like this.
Linksys WAG354G-UK (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?product_uid=94178[/url)

OR...

2. ...if you have an ethernet port on your ADSL modem (unlikely in my experience, they are usually USB connectors only) then you just need to buy a router like the one for a cable modem.


Usually you'll need to go with option 1 though as most ADSL modems are USB only.




Common features
In both cases (be it ADSL or Cable broadband) you also want to be sure you get the following features:
- WPA encryption supported (WEP is a waste of time)
- Some form of firewall (check reviews) built into the router itself
- Ease of setup (again check reviews) as you'll want to be able to administer this yourself.
- Range of the wireless unit (check reviews to see what sort of signal strength you can get from a unit and think carefully about the structure of your house/building).
- Reliability (some units are known to have issues with random lock ups, requiring reboots and likewise some of these issues have been resolved with firmware updates*)


I can't stress enough how important it is to do your research on your chosen unit so you know what's involved in setting it up, what resources exist for resolving configuration issues BEFORE you purchase it... I base this on experience where people have bought the cheapest unit and found instructions confusing, couldn't get support and wasted a lot of time and money trying to resolve it... Prior planning does save a lot of time.

Lastly be sure to secure your unit so that you don't end up sharing it with the freeloaders out there (just read this forum) who are quite willing to use your net connection or hack your network...

Oh, and don't be afraid to ask for help again




*firmware is the programming code that a router will contain and this controls how the unit works. There are usually plenty of guides on the manufacturers websites on how to update it.

Originally posted by jennifer
Please no jargon speak plz! I understand i have to get a router??
Apologies if I've used a lot of jargon in my reply but there's really no way around it... You'll need to know what terms/names/labels are used to know what to look for...

I also dont have a laptop that has a card slot for a wireless adaptor, but im assuming i can still use the broadband connection via a wire??
I missed this earlier so here's a couple of suggestions..

1. You can always get a USB wireless adaptor pretty cheaply so wireless is still possible.

2. If you're using a network port (ie: over a wire) you would still need a network socket or again a USB LAN (Local Area Network) Adaptor.


Hope that covers the bases that I missed..

Originally posted by Lurch
I think you're confusing 'router' and 'crappy USB modem'. Routers don't rely on a connection to the PC to provide internet access, crappy USB modems do.




The former. :wink:

Just to join in on the little debate going on here, I think you are getting very confused Lurch.

Not all routers come with modems, in fact the basic ones don't. So if you are using one of these please explain to me how the networked user can surf the internet when the computer that has the modem is switched off ;)

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Just to join in on the little debate going on here, I think you are getting very confused Lurch.

Not all routers come with modems, in fact the basic ones don't. So if you are using one of these please explain to me how the networked user can surf the internet when the computer that has the modem is switched off ;)

ffs, I give in.

What is a basic router? I think you too are getting confused between hub and router. If you have a router you don't have PC's switched on to access the internet.

Consider me officially resigning from bothering anymore, you can all **** off and sort yourselves out as you all know more than me.

Originally posted by Lurch
What is a basic router? I think you too are getting confused between hub and router. If you have a router you don't have PC's switched on to access the internet.

I am talking about a hub, switch or broadband router yes. None of which have a modem, you still need a modem to connect to the internet. I believe it is also possible to have the modem plugged into the back of the router.

However the person is best of buying a ADSL router with modem included.

Originally posted by Skatiechik
I am talking about a hub, switch or broadband router yes. None of which have a modem, you still need a modem to connect to the internet. I believe it is also possible to have the modem plugged into the back of the router.

However the person is best of buying a ADSL router with modem included.

Basically what you're saying then is you have no idea what you're on about but you're trying to tell me I'm confused.

A hub is not a switch, neither of them are a router and a router isn't a hub or switch.

If you are using a hub or switch to connect machines together then that is nothing at all to do with routers.

If you are using a router to connect PC's together with a USB modem in one PC then you are clueless ****wit.

If you have a router with no modem then it doesn't mean it's a basic router, it just means it hasn't got a modem.

If we could all get the confusion between router and hub\switch out of our heads then we don't need to resort to childish name calling, (which I am happy to start on if anyone else comes along and joins in another one of these pointless threads).

For the record, I know how a network works, I know how routers, hubs and switches work. I don't need someone who has no idea about any of the above to tell me what they think may be correct.

Thankyou.

Originally posted by Lurch
Basically what you're saying then is you have no idea what you're on about but you're trying to tell me I'm confused.

A hub is not a switch, neither of them are a router and a router isn't a hub or switch.



Would you kindly point out to me where I said they were the same thing? I said I was talking about them in terms of networking, as that is what they do they all three can network pcs together albeit in different ways of course and different functionality.


Originally posted by Lurch
If we could all get the confusion between router and hub\switch out of our heads then we don't need to resort to childish name calling, (which I am happy to start on if anyone else comes along and joins in another one of these pointless threads).

I am afraid the only person who seems to have resulted in name calling is yourself.

However this still brings me back to the point regardless of networking or not, you still need a MODEM to connect to the internet. ;)

Originally posted by Skatiechik
Would you kindly point out to me where I said they were the same thing? I said I was talking about them in terms of networking, as that is what they do they all three can network pcs together albeit in different ways of course and different functionality.

Consider the point missed completely. They are different things and they don't network PC's together.

Originally posted by Skatiechik
I am afraid the only person who seems to have resulted in name calling is yourself.

I know, that's exactly what I said.

Originally posted by Skatiechik
However this still brings me back to the point regardless of networking or not, you still need a MODEM to connect to the internet. ;)

Who said we didn't?

I'm not even going to bother anymore. Consider this my last ever post on this forum.

Only 1 person in this thread has resorted to swearing and abusive language (even with the asterisks and abbreviations).

This thread was started by someone who just wanted some help but didnt want bombarding with jargon and foul language and abuse hence my line of simple questions.

Just for clarification one of the companies i own and manage installs networks and custom computer equipment and the original post was aimed at a non computer person to try and understand her needs. Not to put the networking gurus to rights.

I will be reporting this thread to the moderators for Sheffield Forum and I am sure they will take a dim view of LURCH and his ways of offering his UNWANTED abusive vulgar advice.

Justification being that he thinks he knows better is not reason enough for the amount of abusive language.

NO-ONE SHOULD ENTERTAIN ANY FURTHER COMMENTS FROM SUCH AN ABUSIVE USER.

As I don't expect you to reply again as you have now left (Oh goodbye by the way ;)) I will have the final say :P

This is taken from a website that I have just googled

Hubs, switches and routers are all devices which let you connect one or more computers to other computers, networked devices or to other networks. Each has two or more connectors, called ports, into which you plug in the cables to make the connection.

For the record I don't know that much about networking to talk in abbreviations (NAT, etc) or understand what each protocol means and I never said I did.

However I did understand where NUCAT was coming from. You still need a modem to connect to the internet ;) not all broadband routers are sold with modems. So the person needs to make sure they purchase a ADSL router with a modem incl. to make life simpler. The terminology 'Basic Router' is fine for a user who is not familar with the internet and networking in my opinon, it differentiates the differences between two different routers which in my opinion is all you need to know.

Just a point of note...

The terminology used for routers, switches, hubs, is so badly abused by the manufacturers and retailers themselves that it becomes very difficult to provide the sort of definitive "This is what it means and does" that would be ideal.


Given that this thread is about helping someone with minimal terminology and trying to keep things in laymens terms this whole debate about what constitutes a router or not is pointless in this particular thread.

However, as a constructive suggestion, can I suggest a seperat thread with a full blown terminology lecture on the differences between a switch, hub, router... I'm sure it'd be appreciated by someone and wouldn't resort to name calling, etc...

Thanks...

Oh great, you've managed to managed to get rid of one of the most educated forummers in networking! Lurch was one of the gang members that always helped out, even if the thread spanned 10 pages, or so, he always ensured that he got to the bottom of things.

That's one off the list of 'I've forgotten what to do in Dreamweaver list'.

S'pose I'll have to be the one to recommend the Netgear wotsit.

;)

:)

I'd also state my support of Lurch here, he does know what he's talking about. However I would reiterate my first post.

Jennifer do you know what sort of broadband you are getting ie is it ADSL or cable?

If it is ADSL which is probably likely then buy a Router with integral ADSL modem. You can find quite a few at place like Maplins & PCworld. Many of them come as packages with wireless network cards.

You can then use an ethernet cable to connect the laptop that is not capable of wireless and use the wireless cards in the other computers.

Once you have purchased the equipment let us know and we can 'post' you through the next steps.

Mod. Note

OK folks, please calm down.

Tempers seem to be getting rather frayed around here which is a shame as I'm sure everyone is trying to help.

Please don't get abusive. Nucad - how Forummers respond to Lurch is up to them. Things have got rather hot tempered here so I think a cooling off period for all is the best bet.

Let's focus on finding a solution to the problem expressed by the original Poster. Lurch has provided a lot of help to a lot of users on numerous occasions - I for one will be extremely sad to see him leave the Forum.

Joe

He may well have helped every single user but thats no excuse for the vulgarity and direct abuse expressed on this thread.

NONE of the posted comments justified this kind of reaction.

Im very surprised at your comments.
You are almost condoning this kind of abuse yet directly tell me what to say and do because i offer sensible advice to avoid this user ???

As if Lurch helping people in the past AT ALL justifies his language on here. There are many people offering sound advice without the abuse.

We are all trying to achieve a common goal although i would very much doubt with the way this thread has gone the original user will review the information.

Nucad,

I am saying to people 'Calm down and chill out'. People on here are adult enough to take on board what Lurch says if they wish to, and ignore him if they don't want to.

I've not seen anything on this thread that I would really call abuse - just seems to be people getting very agitated.

I'm just suggesting we chill out and get back to the issue of the question at hand. Isn't that what we all want here? Please just let it drop.

Joe