Wireless advice needed.

[trackrat]

I have just had an extension built and want to use my netbook in there, I use it at the moment hard wired to a router, which is connected to my cable modem.
A few questions.
1/ What is the best wireless router to go for.
2/ It needs to have a port to hardwire my main computer.
3/ What sort of protection do I need to stop anyone piggy backing my connection.
4/ How easy are they to set up.
5/ Or would it be better to keep my original router and go with a home plug set up.

Thanks for any help.

 

[tolien]

1) It depends on the price range and feature set you want. The Linksys WRT54GL is popular, but doesn't do 802.11n and seems to have issues with Virgin Media's 50Mbps service.

2) I've yet to see a wireless cable router that doesn't have a built in switch with at least one (and typically four) ports.

3) Strong encryption and a sensible passphrase is plenty - WPA2/AES and a fairly long passphrase with mixed case alphanumeric and symbols won't be broken anytime soon. There are other options like MAC address filtering, hiding the SSID and messing about with the router's DHCP server but the extra security (if any) is overweighed by the hassle they cause.

4) A modicum of common sense and the ability to read and it should be obvious enough to set up. Consumer routers are fairly idiot proof, and should come with a manual of some form to step you through the process.

5) Maybe. Homeplugs will likely be faster but tie you to a power socket. How fast the wireless would run will depend rather on how far you would be from the router, what materials are between you and the router, other wireless networks and sources of interference and just about anything else you can think of.

 

[trackrat]

Thanks for your very comprehensive answers.