Wire free Broadband - help!
Discussion
I have BT Broadband on my desktop via a Voyager modem. All is fine, but I have now bought a laptop and want to be able to surf at broadband speed in my living room without all the telephone wires everywhere. The desktop is upstairs in the spare room/office.
As a complete novice to this sort of thing, what do I need to buy or do?
If it's a long and involved response please email me via my profile.
Finally, I'm happy with BT so don't want to change ISP if at all possible.
Thanks
As a complete novice to this sort of thing, what do I need to buy or do?
If it's a long and involved response please email me via my profile.
Finally, I'm happy with BT so don't want to change ISP if at all possible.
Thanks
Wireless router plugged into the "modem" and a wirless network card for the laptop should be all you need ... laptop may have a wireless network card built in already.
Do you plug the modem into a network port on your PC or a USB port? If it's USB you might have a problem getting a suitable router ... there may be some available with a USB port, but I've not noticed one, but then again I haven't spent anytome looking for them either! If the modem plugs into a network port then you'll definitely have no problems finding a router.
The router will probably have four standard, wired network ports on it in addition to the radio stuff. This will let you plug your existing PC into it directly. The router will also act as a firewall, DHCP server and will probably support VPN too. All in all, from my limited experience I'd say there are quite a few benefits to having a router in addition to the wirefree features.
Do you plug the modem into a network port on your PC or a USB port? If it's USB you might have a problem getting a suitable router ... there may be some available with a USB port, but I've not noticed one, but then again I haven't spent anytome looking for them either! If the modem plugs into a network port then you'll definitely have no problems finding a router.
The router will probably have four standard, wired network ports on it in addition to the radio stuff. This will let you plug your existing PC into it directly. The router will also act as a firewall, DHCP server and will probably support VPN too. All in all, from my limited experience I'd say there are quite a few benefits to having a router in addition to the wirefree features.
I have a Voyager 100 USB ADSL modem, and the laptop is a Packard Bell Easynote 5280.
So if I have to change the modem and buy the various other bits, is it going to be expensive? Presumably a trip to PC World and suitable lightening of the wallet will get it all sorted inside a couple of hours?
So if I have to change the modem and buy the various other bits, is it going to be expensive? Presumably a trip to PC World and suitable lightening of the wallet will get it all sorted inside a couple of hours?
Yep you need to spend some money. It will be cheaper to buy on the net but if you can't wait then a trip to PC World should set you right (If they have it in stock).
My recommendation is as follows but everyone has a personal favourite. However the Linksys gear is very easy to setup compared to some of the others.
Linksys Wireless-G ADSL Gateway WAG54G - This will replace your existing BT Modem.
Linksys Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WPC54G - This will plug into your laptop's PCMCIA slot.
You will also need a Cat5 network cable and a network card for your PC if it does not already have one. You could just go for the cheapest at PC world.
>> Edited by apeebles on Wednesday 11th August 18:04
My recommendation is as follows but everyone has a personal favourite. However the Linksys gear is very easy to setup compared to some of the others.
Linksys Wireless-G ADSL Gateway WAG54G - This will replace your existing BT Modem.
Linksys Wireless-G Notebook Adapter WPC54G - This will plug into your laptop's PCMCIA slot.
You will also need a Cat5 network cable and a network card for your PC if it does not already have one. You could just go for the cheapest at PC world.
>> Edited by apeebles on Wednesday 11th August 18:04
I threw away (well, not literally) my "free" usb modem and bought an ADSL wireless hub from US Robotics.
It's got an adsl modem, a "801.11g" standard wireless access point and 4 ethernet ports. It's a doddle to install, and saves having two (or more) boxes hanging around. It's a 9106. I know several other people who have them (for running x-boxes on and suchlike) and it seems to be a winner. It also supports a few things that other similar boxes do not (so I'm told, to do with p2p sharing).
You'll also need a wireless (or wired) network card in each pc, or a usb dongle as others have already said.
It's got an adsl modem, a "801.11g" standard wireless access point and 4 ethernet ports. It's a doddle to install, and saves having two (or more) boxes hanging around. It's a 9106. I know several other people who have them (for running x-boxes on and suchlike) and it seems to be a winner. It also supports a few things that other similar boxes do not (so I'm told, to do with p2p sharing).
You'll also need a wireless (or wired) network card in each pc, or a usb dongle as others have already said.
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