Router Help

Smyddy · 28-03-2008, 06:22 PM

Good-day Guys

Looking for a little advice on routers. At present I have 2 pc’s both running windows xp and both broadband running through a Belkin 4 port cable/dsl gateway router. I have just inherited a laptop Mac-Book Pro OS X (leopard) and would like to run with wireless so I can use the laptop wherever.
Can I simple change the existing router for a wireless version with a couple of cable ports so I can retain my existing pc’s wired.
I had considered the Belkin N1 wireless router – is it just a simple change over as my computer tech level is not quite the numptie standard - - but not too far above

donkey42 · 28-03-2008, 08:23 PM

there are two main ways to go, either (as you suggested) or you can simply add a wireless AP like this but it is probably cheaper to just get a new router, because, your current router may need upgrading anyway

BTW: what is your budget ?

Smyddy · 28-03-2008, 10:29 PM

Hi Donkey 42

Don't actually have a budget - - it's on the company, although it's at home I use it for company stuff also

The reason I quoted the Belkin is I have had no problems with the existing ethernet one and always go by the evil one knows

Anti-Trend · 28-03-2008, 11:05 PM

I'd say it depends on whether or not this is for corporate/office use, or for home use. If it's for home use, any router that supports WPA2 will be fine, IMHO. If for office use, I'd say the best scenario from a security perspective is to segment off the wireless network so that wireless access doesn't gain you LAN access to potentially vulnerable Windows boxes. That probably means building or buying a router with a segmented DMZ, then putting the WAP on that segment.

DaRuSsIaMaN · 30-03-2008, 06:59 PM

In short, yes, you can simply get a new router that is wireless. Yes, the wireless router will also have ports (almost always 4) for wired connection. So you will be able to have your other computers hooked up just as you do now, AND you'll be able to use your laptop wherever the wireless signal can reach.

However, it might not necessarily be a simple changeover, as routers are a rather difficult topic, IMO. With a wireless router, you have to worry about the additional setup of the wireless network. Router manuals also seem to often be rather skimpy on information. Therefore, it might be somewhat of a hassle setting one up and getting it to work. It depends. Maybe it will be easy if you set it up with all the minimal/default settings and don't worry about understanding everything.

28-03-2008, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink) Top
Smyddy Geek Trainee Join Date: Mar 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 3 Status: Offline	Router Help Good-day Guys Looking for a little advice on routers. At present I have 2 pc’s both running windows xp and both broadband running through a Belkin 4 port cable/dsl gateway router. I have just inherited a laptop Mac-Book Pro OS X (leopard) and would like to run with wireless so I can use the laptop wherever. Can I simple change the existing router for a wireless version with a couple of cable ports so I can retain my existing pc’s wired. I had considered the Belkin N1 wireless router – is it just a simple change over as my computer tech level is not quite the numptie standard - - but not too far above

28-03-2008, 08:23 PM	#2 (permalink) Top
donkey42 Paranoid Geeky Geek Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 34 Male Posts: 5,826 Times Helpful: 309 My Mood: Paranoid Status: Offline My Computer	there are two main ways to go, either (as you suggested) or you can simply add a wireless AP like this but it is probably cheaper to just get a new router, because, your current router may need upgrading anyway BTW: what is your budget ? __________________ GRUB manual \| Google Linux \| Distrowatch \| Linux Chix \| Kubuntu \| My Mini City

28-03-2008, 11:05 PM	#4 (permalink) Top
Anti-Trend Nonconformist Geek Join Date: Oct 2003 Age: 27 Male Posts: 4,882 Times Helpful: 538 Status: Offline My Computer	I'd say it depends on whether or not this is for corporate/office use, or for home use. If it's for home use, any router that supports WPA2 will be fine, IMHO. If for office use, I'd say the best scenario from a security perspective is to segment off the wireless network so that wireless access doesn't gain you LAN access to potentially vulnerable Windows boxes. That probably means building or buying a router with a segmented DMZ, then putting the WAP on that segment. __________________ See My Desktop \| Try Linux \| Install Linux \| Visit My Server \| Support Hardware Forums \| Easily rip DVDs in Linux \| Remember Everything

30-03-2008, 06:59 PM	#5 (permalink) Top
DaRuSsIaMaN Geek Comrade Join Date: Nov 2003 Age: 22 Male Posts: 754 Times Helpful: 12 Status: Offline My Computer	In short, yes, you can simply get a new router that is wireless. Yes, the wireless router will also have ports (almost always 4) for wired connection. So you will be able to have your other computers hooked up just as you do now, AND you'll be able to use your laptop wherever the wireless signal can reach. However, it might not necessarily be a simple changeover, as routers are a rather difficult topic, IMO. With a wireless router, you have to worry about the additional setup of the wireless network. Router manuals also seem to often be rather skimpy on information. Therefore, it might be somewhat of a hassle setting one up and getting it to work. It depends. Maybe it will be easy if you set it up with all the minimal/default settings and don't worry about understanding everything. __________________ Ignorance is bliss. Oedipus ruined a great sex life by asking too many questions... "So, got any kids?" - Stephen Colbert My computer is not much to brag about, but I shall do so anyway. AMD 1800+ Athlon XP..............SoundBlaster PCI 512 ASUS A7N8X..........................WD 80GB ATI Radeon 8500....................WinXP Pro

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28-03-2008, 10:29 PM	#3 (permalink) Top
Smyddy Geek Trainee Join Date: Mar 2008 Gender: Male Posts: 3 Status: Offline	Hi Donkey 42 Don't actually have a budget - - it's on the company, although it's at home I use it for company stuff also The reason I quoted the Belkin is I have had no problems with the existing ethernet one and always go by the evil one knows

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