ADSL Broadband Setup Advice?

[Revenant]

Hi

Currently I'm using ADSL via Pipex via an Alcatel Speedtouch USB modem. I'm happy with this setup, especially as work pay for my ISP!

Having just bought a laptop for my g/f I'm not sure where to go from here in order to get that onto t'interweb. I use the internet all daytime and the laptop would be used in the evening/weekends - i.e. neither need to be connected at the same time.

Initially I had thought about getting another USB router, installing the software and then physically switching over the cable to the laptop when required. But then the question of getting a wireless router came up and I'm just not sure what is required.

The laptop comms hardware is:

# Networking - Network adapter - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n (draft), Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
# Wireless NIC - Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN

Any advice appreciated.

 

[gillywibble]

Seeing as you've already got wireless on the laptop, all you would need is a cheapish wireless router. Bear in mind the distance from where the laptop will be to the router and the number of walls/ceilings in the way. If too many, then it's worth spending extra on a MIMO or similar which will have a greater signal.

Otherwise get a basic router and continue to use your main PC through an ethernet port. A benefit of a router is that it is always on, i.e. no connecting to your internet connection.

Finally, make sure the router supports WPA2 encryption, isolate your MAC address (the settings for this will be in the router) and change the name of the network to something non-descript.

 

[Revenant]

Thanks Gillywibble

I understood everything apart from this:

Otherwise get a basic router and continue to use your main PC through an ethernet port.

I'm unsure as to what you mean by this? Do I simply connect my desktop to the wireless router via the ethernet port? or do I plug a card or something into the desktop's ethernet port that then comms with the router?

Before getting a wireless setup, can I still go with my first suggestion and attach the USB modem in order to register software & get updates, etc?

As an aside, I realise that having wireless always-on is a benfit but I've never found having to connect to be a time-consuming issue!

Thanks for your help.

 

[tolien]

A lot of laptops have problems with USB modems because of the power they draw, so while it should work your mileage may vary. You'll need to make sure you can drivers for it as well.

I'm unsure as to what you mean by this? Do I simply connect my desktop to the wireless router via the ethernet port? or do I plug a card or something into the desktop's ethernet port that then comms with the router?

The former.

 

[radderfire]

You could:

1) Buy nothing - If you have the install CD Rom for the ADSL modem, you can run that on the laptop, then when she wants to use her laptop you disconnect modem USB cable from your PC and connect it to her laptop.

2) Buy a wireless router, e.g.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-017-NG&groupid=46&catid=1012&subcat=

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-072-LS&groupid=46&catid=1012&subcat=

You use one of the ethernet ports on the router to connect to your PC. Your PC must have an ethernet card to be able to do this. If it doesn't, you could buy a wireless card for the PC.

Your girlfriend's laptop then just uses the wireless connection. Being able to use a laptop wirelessly is much more convenient IMO.

Rgds

Radderfire

 

[Revenant]

Bit of thread-necromancy here...

Ok, so I'm now at the stage that I'm still using my ADSL USB modem both for my desktop and sometimes for the laptop. But we could really doing with goign wireless now.

I don't *think* I have a ethernet card - I've not bought one and I don't think my ASUS P5W64 WS Pro mobo comes with one in built (confirm?).

So am I correct in thinking that I can;

1. get an ethernet card for my desktop:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-019-BE&groupid=46&catid=1002&subcat=1000

2. Get an ADSL2+ Router:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-022-BE&groupid=46&catid=1012&subcat=143

3. Then just use the laptop wireless connection and the desktop ethernet to connect the lot up into one big wireless bundle of communications!

Anything I've missed out?

I've gone for the same make of ethernet card & router to try & minimise conflicts. Would anyone recommend another pair? My ISP is Pipex (8Mb) and I use it constantly for home-working.

Thanks

 

[errata]

That board will have at least one ethernet socket on the back panel, no extra ethernet card is needed.

Other than that sounds fine, pc on ethernte, laptop on wireless (if the laptops near the router you could use an ethernet connection on that too but not as conveneient as wifi.)