Buying First Router - Advice

suarve · 3 Jan 2008 at 18:47

Hi all,

I need a bit of advice on what router to get, I'm on 8 meg ADSL. I need:

To connect my main from upstairs
To connect my xbox 360
Connect a x2 laptop downstairs
A possibly a third pc downstairs

The laptops downstairs belong to my parents and they both want wireless connections to the internet. I planned to connect the PC mentioned via wired connections. Are there even routers that have a combination of connections?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

EDIT: just remembered we have a USB printer downstairs - its doesn't have an Ethernet port. It there any way to have this as the print server without another PC being constantly turned on?

box · 3 Jan 2008 at 20:06

What you want to look for is an 'ADSL Modem Router'. These devices will plug straight into your phone line and in most cases include an array of connectivity options. Most modern routers will give you at least 802.11g wireless (that's 54Mbps) as well as a built in 4-port ethernet switch. These will tend to be in the £35-45 bracket.

You mention the printer...I believe a few companies make routers with built in USB ports for connecting devices such as printers. Can't think of any off the top of my head but its worth a look. Alternatively, you can buy a print server for your printer - this will consist of a small box with a USB port on one side, and either an aerial (for wireless) or an ethernet port (for wired) on the other. These will set you back about £40.

Hope that's of some help. Of course what you could do is phone up your ISP and threaten to leave...they'll almost definately offer you a free router.

tolien · 3 Jan 2008 at 22:38

Just be warned that if you get a free router from your ISP it'll invariably not be the best router in the world and make sure you don't get stuck in a 12 month (or longer) contract for the sake of a router that's worth about £10.

suarve · 4 Jan 2008 at 16:42

Tolien said:
Just be warned that if you get a free router from your ISP it'll invariably not be the best router in the world and make sure you don't get stuck in a 12 month (or longer) contract for the sake of a router that's worth about £10.

nar, going to do my homework and buy a decent one for myself

suarve · 5 Jan 2008 at 12:45

Right, have been looking around and the Netgear DG834N seems to get good reviews everywhere.Just wanted to check a few things before buying:

- If I put the router downstairs in a 2 story house, will I be able to get a decent signal upstairs for say gaming and general use?
- Can i set a single computer to only have access to the web configuration interface?
- If a laptop has a "wireless LAN aerial" will this be picked up by the router?
- As this router is ADSL2+ compatible, will it work ok with my internet (ADSL Max 8Mbps)?
- Again a noobish question, I currently have an RJ11 - RJ45 cable from my usb modem to the phone socket. Will i need a different cable?
- As i have never used a router before, is the setup painless?

Thanks for any advice

Furton · 5 Jan 2008 at 13:20

I've always been told to be a router higher up in the house as it's a better signal all round the house, however the only way your going to know is by trying as each house is different.

Most routers have a password for the admin screen, so make sure your the only one who knows the password

If the laptop has a wireless card and the signal is good enough then yes

Will be backward compatible with your current ADSL line

The router will come with the correct cable

Setup is usually done with a CD

However, unless you have N capable network cards in your set up I would go for the DG834G (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-017-NG&groupid=46&catid=1012&subcat=143)

A great router and saves you a load of money.

box · 5 Jan 2008 at 13:36

If I put the router downstairs in a 2 story house, will I be able to get a decent signal upstairs for say gaming and general use?

For gaming...probably no. General use...possibly. As Furton mentioned, each house is different and you will never be completely sure until you try. How old is your house? What is the composition of the walls? Older houses have thicker walls and are generally rubbish for wireless anything. Having said that, going up through two floors is pushing it a bit on any wi-fi config (except maybe N).

If possible, you might want to consider wiring your modem to be placed on the first floor, as this will be in even reach of both floors above and below.

If a laptop has a "wireless LAN aerial" will this be picked up by the router?

The wireless device in your laptop will be one of two standards - 802.11b, or 802.11g - this will be inscribed somewhere on the device. While both standards will work with the router, 802.11g has a significant speed and performance increase and so it would be worth upgrading if the laptop only has an 802.11b card.

As mentioned, for your purposes the DG834G would be better suited. Unless you are using wireless N devices (802.11n), which are very new, the abilities of the DG834N would be wasted.

suarve · 5 Jan 2008 at 14:01

Thanks for replies.

My house only has two floors in total - downstairs/upstairs, not a third floor. Does this change any of the advice given above?

The only reason i chose the named router is as for £90 I can get the router with a free rangemax usb adapter

As for the alternative router suggested, I may aswell stick with the original. I mean if its backwards compatible it can't hurt.

Also, the wireless aspect was mainly going to be for the two laptops downstairs - so for 99% of the time they'll be on the same level as router (downstairs). I was going to run a cat 5 cable upstairs to my main PC.

Deleted member 64478 · 5 Jan 2008 at 14:27

suarve said:
Thanks for replies.

My house only has two floors in total - downstairs/upstairs, not a third floor. Does this change any of the advice given above?

The only reason i chose the named router is as for £90 I can get the router with a free rangemax usb adapter

As for the alternative router suggested, I may aswell stick with the original. I mean if its backwards compatible it can't hurt.

Also, the wireless aspect was mainly going to be for the two laptops downstairs - so for 99% of the time they'll be on the same level as router (downstairs). I was going to run a cat 5 cable upstairs to my main PC.

Aslong as its N standards you won't have ny problems with wireless. I did a 3 floored house not so long back and it was fine, Strength was good and still could transfer data fast.

If you are going to get wireless make sure you get N standards otherwise you will run into problems.

suarve · 5 Jan 2008 at 15:04

Also, does anyone know how long the included ADSL cable from router to phone line is?

$anch3z · 5 Jan 2008 at 15:19

usually about a metre maybe 1.5m

suarve · 5 Jan 2008 at 16:11

Say i wanted to add a usb printer to the wireless network (with the above router) would one of these work. However it seems silly paying for 4 port switch, as this isn't needed. Can someone recommend a device that literally connects a usb printer to a wireless network?

Thanks

Skyboat · 5 Jan 2008 at 17:03

andr3w1984 said:
Aslong as its N standards you won't have ny problems with wireless. I did a 3 floored house not so long back and it was fine, Strength was good and still could transfer data fast.

If you are going to get wireless make sure you get N standards otherwise you will run into problems.

Is 802.11n really that much better over 802.11g then? Got any more info on it?

To the OP: for what you need, my ASUS WL-500g would be perfect, would do everything that's required, however it's discontinued now, the latest one they do is the WL-500W for ~£70 and comes with 2x USB ports now instead of just 1 as well as everything their older models could do too using the newer 802.11n standard.

m_cozzy · 5 Jan 2008 at 17:34

Skyboat said:
Is 802.11n really that much better over 802.11g then? Got any more info on it?

I tested a pre N device a good few years back now. With the standard G access point I could walk to the front door of our office before the signal went.
With the pre N I was out the door & halfway down the road, at least another 200 metres before connectivity dropped.
I was very impressed

box · 5 Jan 2008 at 21:51

suarve said:
Say i wanted to add a usb printer to the wireless network (with the above router) would one of these work. However it seems silly paying for 4 port switch, as this isn't needed. Can someone recommend a device that literally connects a usb printer to a wireless network?

Thanks

The 4-port switch looks like a good deal. Anything else you buy will be a similar price, so it's almost as if you're getting a switch chucked in for free

But if you really don't want it...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-055-LS

Buying First Router - Advice

Deleted member 64478

Deleted member 64478