Question about setting up a wireless network

Verted · 13 Jun 2006 at 23:12

At the moment, I have a broadband modem, supplied by Telewest, which plugs straight into my computer (Running Linux) via an Ethernet cable. I soon plan on getting a laptop, and I intend to share this internet connection with it, wirelessly. I dont want to have to install a wireless card into my pc. Is it possible to plug the modem into the router, and then plug the router into the pc, still via an ethernet cable (so that I can carry on using the internet on my pc as normal, without changing any settings)? What kind of router can someone reccomend for this? Also, will this kind of setup mean that my PC has to be on for the wireless network to run?

Also, how do you go about encrypting the wireless network, so that it is not open to others. Does every router come with this supported?

tolien · 13 Jun 2006 at 23:23

Verted said:
Is it possible to plug the modem into the router, and then plug the router into the pc, still via an ethernet cable (so that I can carry on using the internet on my pc as normal, without changing any settings)?

No reason why you couldn't.

What kind of router can someone reccomend for this?

Any "cable/DSL" router, ie one without a modem. Search, or at least more detail (ie budget), is your friend.

Also, will this kind of setup mean that my PC has to be on for the wireless network to run?

Nope.

Also, how do you go about encrypting the wireless network

Mostly, RTFM.

Does every router come with this supported?

To some extent, yes. Most should support at least WPA now, and if it doesn't it isn't worth bothering with.

Verted · 13 Jun 2006 at 23:37

I'm sorry to ask stupid question, but i'm new to this.

What is RTFM?

When I said, what router would you reccomend, I meant specificly. Any particular brand, and model most ideal? I'm looking to spend around £50. Can I get a decent router for this? Whats the difference between a £50 router, and a £200 one?

tolien · 13 Jun 2006 at 23:42

Verted said:
What is RTFM?

Read The Manual.

When I said, what router would you reccomend, I meant specificly. Any particular brand, and model most ideal? I'm looking to spend around £50.

I meant specifically, use the search function. Your question isn't exactly rare...
That said, Linksys WRT54G/GS/GL?

Whats the difference between a £50 router, and a £200 one?

Quite a lot. Whether it's anything you need to care about remains to be seen.