Author Topic: Stupid router question...  (Read 434 times)

Offline megadud

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Stupid router question...
« on: August 16, 2006, 03:26:02 AM »
I don't know much about routers but i hav a question, stay with me. I have a computer up stairs and a computer down stairs.

The one up stairs has the modum and i have a router connecting ethernet cords to the down stairs computers. The problem is i have a huge hole drilled in my floor with wires running everywhere.

My question is if i get a wireless router would i still need to run the cords to the other computers or can i some how get them connected wirelessly through a WIRELESS router? Not sure what i need or how it works.

Thanks, The DuD :aok

Offline eagl

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Stupid router question...
« Reply #1 on: August 16, 2006, 03:44:56 AM »
If you have a wireless router, then you can connect multiple computers "wirelessly", that is, "without wires", if they have "wireless" network cards.  They replace the "wire" with an "antenna".

:)

Just busting your chops a bit, but yea, you can create a wireless network just like any wired network if you have a wireless router and each computer you want to hook up has a wireless network card.  You can still hook up some of the computers with wires too, since that results in a faster and more reliable connection.  You just have to get the right wireless network card for each computer you want to connect wirelessly.

A tip - buy wireless cards from the same company as the router.  If you use a d-link router, get d-link wireless network cards.  Same goes for linksys, netgear, etc.  Each company has proprietary extensions to the wireless protocol that makes it's routers work best with their own network cards, so you can usually get a little better connection if you use all the same brand wireless gear.

Make SURE you encrypt your wireless network using WPA encryption immediately upon setup and change the router password before you even hook it up to the internet.  If you don't, you're pretty much inviting anyone with a wireless network card to enter your network and mess around with your computers.
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Offline Ghosth

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Stupid router question...
« Reply #2 on: August 16, 2006, 07:28:25 AM »
Warning, generally speaking a wireless network is not as fast, and won't move files as quickly.

Its also about 100x easier to get into, so make sure you set up your passwords & security correctly!

Offline megadud

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Stupid router question...
« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2006, 05:48:04 PM »
Thanks for the help. I need to hook 2 computers up wirelessly and the others can use the wires with the router i have now.

How do i set it up? How do i encrypt? With the router i just hooked up the wires and everything was peachy. I am going to buy linksys, is that a good one?

Thanks, DuD :aok

Offline DREDIOCK

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Stupid router question...
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2006, 05:52:44 PM »
I prefer hardwires over wireless.

Question. Why didnt you just run the wires through the walls as opposed to drilling a hole in your floor?
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Offline eagl

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Stupid router question...
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2006, 07:05:20 AM »
linksys is fine.

The router should come with instructions on how to get into the setup, and from there it's a matter of finding the setup page that says encryption, turning it on, and entering in a passphrase.

Linksys website should have setup instructions too.
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Offline megadud

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Stupid router question...
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2006, 06:48:54 AM »
ok thanks alot for the help. :aok