Wireless FAQ sticky?

Jeff Lynne · 5 Jun 2009 at 19:18

Is it still relevant considering it was posted in 2004?

Apologies for starting a new thread but the last post was 18 months ago so fear my question will get lost in it!

I've just bought a new laptop which has wireless connectivitiy on it and was wondering that if I bought this would I just connect it to my current router in a daisychain (is that right?) and be able to connect the laptop wirelessly?

I really am a noob :eek:

tolien · 5 Jun 2009 at 19:54

That would replace your cable router altogether, if you're on cable.

For a little more cash, you could get a WRT54GL, which is a much better router. Alternatively, you could add a wireless access point (or another router) to the router you have.

Jeff Lynne · 5 Jun 2009 at 20:04

Thanks for that, I should probably add that I have two PC's and my xbox360 currently using my router and they aren't wireless. Is the new wireless router that I should buy pretty much the same as I already have but witht he added bonus of the thing sticking out of the top (tech term!) which will connect to my wireless laptop?

I reckon it's probably best that I go into a shop and have a look at a physical specimen!

Jeff Lynne · 5 Jun 2009 at 20:07

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-052-LS

This one?

I think it's sinking in how these things work, theres very little difference to what I have!

Why is the one that you've pointed out better than the cheapo one that I found? Whats the difference and am I likely to notice it?

tolien · 5 Jun 2009 at 20:19

Jeff Lynne said:
Is the new wireless router that I should buy pretty much the same as I already have but witht he added bonus of the thing sticking out of the top (tech term!) which will connect to my wireless laptop?

It doesn't have to have antennae to be wireless; it'll have a wireless card inside and probably a different firmware version but yeah, fundamentally they're the same.

Jeff Lynne said:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-052-LS

This one?

That's the sausage.

Why is the one that you've pointed out better than the cheapo one that I found? Whats the difference and am I likely to notice it?

It does a whole load of features like QoS, and you can install non-Linksys firmware that'll add yet more features, as well as improving the range. It'll probably be more stable too.

Jeff Lynne · 5 Jun 2009 at 20:50

tolien said:
It does a whole load of features like QoS, and you can install non-Linksys firmware that'll add yet more features, as well as improving the range. It'll probably be more stable too.

Well I'm quite happy to use the benefit of your experience and buy that one then.

When I get it will it be a simple case of plugging everything from the existing LAN into the new one, rebooting the cable modem and plugging in?

I've had real connectivity issues lately and it's horrible when the internet doesn't work!

tolien · 5 Jun 2009 at 20:53

Yes, you should just be able to switch them about. The longest part will be getting the cable modem to play ball (but that's hardly difficult).