Router Help

By *John*
in Smart Home, Network & Security

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*John*

Posted
Posted

Hi Everyone!

I have 2MB/Sec Broadband/ADSL

I have 3 Computers:

1) Computer 1 - PC - Runs on Windows XP Pro SP2

2) Computer 2 - PC - Runs on Windows XP Pro SP2

3) Computer 3 - Laptop - Runs on Windows XP Pro SP2

I want to enable all three computers to connect to the internet at the same time.

I'm going to buy this router: *****Clickety*****

I take it the first computer plugs straight into the router? So nothing extra needed?

For the second computer to connect i'm going to get this: *****Clickety*****

For the laptop to connect i'm going to get this: *****Clickety*****

My question is, how will all this work? Will the first computer (The one plugged straight into the router) need to be on, and sharing its connection for the others to connect?

Is is possible for both computers to be off, and the laptop be able to connect?

How does a router work in practice? Will the laptop just be able to be turned on, type in the username and password, and connect, without the need for the other 2 computers to be on?

Thanks in advance!

John

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Experienced

bsquirle

Posted
Posted (edited)

Well,

A router needs to have modem to connect to the internet.

An ethernet modem.

Plug that one in the router, configure and your router has internet access.

(EDIT: use the WAN port)

Configuration can be done from a computer which is connected to the router using a wire.

(EDIT: on a LAN port)

Set up the internet connection, configure the DHCP server and configure the wireless (speed, channel, ssid and key)

Then you go to the other, wireless computers set it to connect to your ssid with the correct key.

Then they are able to connect to the network.

Set all computers to get an IP and the DNS from the router, and eveyone will be happily surfing the net.

On how to configure the router, I suggest you download the manual (maybe even before buying it) and take a quick read.

To have internet, the modem and the router have to be on (and ofc the computer on which you want to work :p)

No more need for the username and password of your internet connection after you've configured the router on any computer.

Edited by bsquirle
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*John*

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  • Author
Posted
Well,

A router needs to have modem to connect to the internet.

An ethernet modem.

Plug that one in the router, configure and your router has internet access.

Configuration can be done from a computer which is connected to the router using a wire.

Set up the internet connection, configure the DHCP server and configure the wireless (speed, channel, ssid and key)

Then you go to the other, wireless computers set it to connect to your ssid with the correct key.

Then they are able to connect to the network.

Set all computers to get an IP and the DNS from the router, and eveyone will be happily surfing the net.

On how to configure the router, I suggest you download the manual (maybe even before buying it) and take a quick read.

To have internet, the modem and the router have to be on (and ofc the computer on which you want to work :p )

No more need for the username and password of your internet connection after you've configured the router on any computer.

Thanks for the reply! :yes:

So the router i've selected doesnt have a built in ethernet modem?

And the ethernet modem and router is kind of a mini computer then? Once i've told it what to do, it connects and then stays online 24 hrs a day 7 days a week until a computer tries to use the signal?

Thanks very much again! :D *thumbs up*

John

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*John*

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Posted
By ehternet modem he means your DSL modem. It must be a ethernet not USB.

Also, you get what you pay for with belkin. I highly suggest you go with linksys. Otherwise it looks like you got it right.

And yes, all the computers can be off and your laptop will still connect.

Thanks for your help Sub! :yes:

This is the current DSL modem: *****Clickity*****

Will that work with the router?

Also, does belkin suck then? :blink:

John

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Grand Master

j.r.l.

Posted
Posted

By ehternet modem he means your DSL modem. It must be a ethernet not USB.

Also, you get what you pay for with belkin. I highly suggest you go with linksys. Otherwise it looks like you got it right.

And yes, all the computers can be off and your laptop will still connect.

You should go with Linksys / DLink routers, they go for cheap but they're pretty good. Linksys has problems with BitTorrent but that can be fixed.

The router is like a computer that keeps your connection so when you turn your computer on, it will automatically be connected (assuming the NIC supports DHCP and that it tries to get an address from the DHCP server/router when booting). It should work out of the box without too much configuration.

It's safe to turn off all your computers and you will keep the connection so it's like a semi static IP :) Look at the attachment, this is how you should plug everything.

LAN = Local Area Network (your three computers + router)

WAN = Wide Area Network (the internet, your modem)

post-55871-1142458251.gif

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*John*

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You should go with Linksys / DLink routers, they go for cheap but they're pretty good. Linksys has problems with BitTorrent but that can be fixed.

The router is like a computer that keeps your connection so when you turn your computer on, it will automatically be connected (assuming the NIC supports DHCP and that it tries to get an address from the DHCP server/router when booting). It should work out of the box without too much configuration.

It's safe to turn off all your computers and you will keep the connection so it's like a semi static IP :) Look at the attachment, this is how you should plug everything.

LAN = Local Area Network (your three computers + router)

WAN = Wide Area Network (the internet, your modem)

WOW, thanks for all the help guys! A big thumbs up to you all! :yes:

Looking at *****THIS*****

It seems that I dont need a seperate modem?

All the best to you all! And thanks again!

John

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embj

Posted
Posted

Thanks for your help Sub! :yes:

This is the current DSL modem: *****Clickity*****

Will that work with the router?

Also, does belkin suck then? :blink:

John

Belkin does not suck. I have used several Belkin routers over the years. On my network, I currently have a Belkin 802.11g and Belkin 802.11b that I bought about 2-3 years ago. They both have been very good, and the signal strength is good, too.

Before I had the 2x wireless routers, I had a Belkin 4-port wired router. It worked great, too...I've had that one on the network for about 4-5 years. I just disconnected it last week whenever I upgraded to a new 16-port switch.

So, I'd say that pre-N modem/router combo that you have picked out is a great choice. I'm sure it's a bit pricey as I remember how much just the router cost when it first came out last year. There are cheaper solutions if you don't want the speediness of the pre-N.

However, I would recommend that you just get the pre-N router (not modem/router combo) if BT will exchange the modem that you currently have for free. The reason I say this is because if there is ever any problem with the modem, you'll be able to exchange it for free. They might not even support modems that you bought from some other place. It'd be cheaper to just get the pre-N router, too.

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Grand Master

TurboTuna

Posted
Posted (edited)

Frist off, your from the uk. Most of what these fine people have posted, althought correct, is rubbish. You can pick up a Modem/Router for around ?30 quid! try www.aria.co.uk. i often use the safecom models they have for basic router functions and no complaints. If you want to go Wireless then i would go with Linksys. A decent Linksys wireless router/modem will set you back around ?65.

Hope that helps

edit: Heres a network diagram for what your looking for. Its rubbish but was the best i could find short of getting out visi;);)

broadband_router_1.png

Edited by simpleyred
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Grand Master

j.r.l.

Posted
Posted

Frist off, your from the uk. Most of what these fine people have posted, althought correct, is rubbish. You can pick up a Modem/Router for around ?30 quid! try www.aria.co.uk. i often use the safecom models they have for basic router functions and no complaints. If you want to go Wireless then i would go with Linksys. A decent Linksys wireless router/modem will set you back around ?65.

Hope that helps

edit: Heres a network diagram for what your looking for. Its rubbish but was the best i could find short of getting out visi;);)

broadband_router_1.png

Thank you for saying what I say is rubbish:rofl:l: j/k

He's right, but where's the modem in there? 65 pounds for a router? That's a lot... $131CDN to be exact... and the WRT54G costs $65 her:p:p 32 pounds for you;);)

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Grand Master

j.r.l.

Posted
Posted (edited)

Most routers here include DSL modems as the majority of modems given out via ISP's are usb. The Prices i quoted are MODEM/ROUTERS meaning they are AIO solutions

Depends where you live. Personally I don't know of any ISP that uses USB modems. I would never use a USB modem myself, simply because ethernet is much faster and much more reliable. Here's a dirty comparison http://compnetworking.about.com/od/broadba...eminterface.htm

Besides, I don't live in the UK

Edited by AresXP
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