Wireless Router

My question has probably been answered many times but after a search I can't find the exact answer I'm looking for.

Cable Internet will be connected next Tuesday. I'm trying to get ahead. We have a home network, 2 PCs, currently using a cross/over cable. Both using Win XP Home.

So, my question. I have purchased a Wireless Router. I don't understand exactly how it works. Is that like common radio waves or is it straight line signal? Our home is partially underground and the interior walls are concrete. There is a lot of rebar there. So does the metal in the walls interfer with a wireless Router? If so, I'm in trouble.

I'm getting to old to climb around in the attic to string a new cable or I would have purchased a different Router.

Would someone enlighten me about this?

 

Mudd? Forgive me if I'm reading this wrong. You do have wireless cards installed in those computers?

The concrete and rebar won't be a problem...unless you're trying to get a connection outside?

*edit*
The wireless part is only between router and computers. Everything else is wired as it would normally be.

 

Daizy

Your answer prompted another question.

I have NIC (believe it's called) cards as we are sharing ICS and printer through a cross/over cable.

Now your question about wireless cards installed. I suppose not as there is a single connection for the cable to plug in.

Now where does leave me? I thought, that there was something like a receiver to plug into the connection that would intercept the singals from the Router for the Client PC.! Am I all wet with this?

If so, then I would be better off plugging the Cable Modem into a USB and continue to use the setup I have using the cross/over cable and forgetting the Router, is that so? Or maybe getting the other type cable from a Router (Not Wireless) and connect to the existing connection to NIC.

My Gray Matter hasn't crossed this information and it is worse than "Greek" to me. Guidance and/or suggestions are most welcome.

This is so elementary to those who know. But I'm not in that group.

 

A wireless router is a router that uses wireless connections to the PCs that are connected to it. So these PCs need to have wireless NICs (yes, that's what it's called) installed. The router itself connects to your modem using an ordinary network cable.

So you can choose either of the 2 possibilities you suggest yourself:

1) Connect one machine directly to the modem using a USB port and connect the other PC to the first one using your existing x-over cable and thus share the first machine's connection.

or

2) Get a standard (wired) router and connect each PC to that one...which will leave room for further expansion in the future, if more PCs are to be using the internet connection.

Personally I'd prefer 2) , although this will require that you invest in a wired router. And you don't have to have the connected machine turned on for the other to be able to access the internet.

 

Daizy

I'm getting there thanks to your information. Here's is what I think you mean. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

First a Wired Router. Connect the cable (not a cross/over) to the NIC on the Client PC and to the Router.

From the Cable modem to the Router and then to the Host PC.

So there is no network connected, just two PC connected to the Router from the Cable Modem. They offer up to 7 email address with the service. So Grouch could access her email and internet without dependence on the current Host PC.

I purchased a Wireless this morning. Haven't opened the box so it should be no problem exchanging for a Wire Router.

If you agree with this, will thank you so much for your information. If I'm still confusedl let me know. I'll pay the Cable people for doing it for me. They want $150 for complete setup.

Thanks Daisy

 

Right. Connect the modem to the outlet on the wall, then connect the (wired) router to the modem using a network cable, and finally connect each of the PCs to a port on the router. You will thus be able to connect to the internet with each of the PCs independently and will also have the possibility of running your own little Local Area Network (LAN) with as many PCs as the router has ports, should you choose to do so. But that's another story.. )

(In case the ISP uses "MAC address authentication ", you will have to clone the MAC address of the first PC connected to the router into the router - it's usually described in the router manual how to do that...not complicated).

 

Daizy

Got It!!

Bothers me that I didn't ask before I started buying things. No problem, they will exchange if not opened.

So away I go to the city to buy a Wired Router. Then get up in the attic (that is questionable) and remove the cross/over cable, replace it with a regular cable, tell the Cable Man that I will keep my $150, and live happy ever after!!!

Thank you Daizy. I didn't get into the PC arena until about 3 years ago. I'm old enough to have to have things crammed into my head where younger folks can just let it flow.

You and others on BBS are very helpful and save old geezers like me many dollars.

Hope your Christmas is the best ever.

 

You're most welcome! Happy to help.

Hope you have the very best holiday season as well!!

 

Mudd - you can sort of have the best of both worlds.

Modem to wired router and one PC using the same NIC as it has now connected to a port on the router/switch (that's what you'll have). And BTW - this PC will not be a 'host'. The router does that job.

2nd PC (if you want to go wireless with it) needs a wireless NIC that will transmit. Then you need a Wireless Access Point (WAP) that plugs into another port on the switch using a normal network cable and translates the wireless signal into something the wired device can use. The WAP can sit right next to the router/switch.

This way both your PCs can connect to the internet any time the router is plugged in (and 7x24 is usual) but there is no need to have PC-A turned on for PC-B to connect.

You can also work between the PCs for local files and printers and such like since the router/switch takes care of setting them up so they can communicate.

Note that your crossover cable won't be needed. You will need two 'normal' network cables regardless of whether you decide to have both PC connect wired or decide to have one wireless since the WAP uses a normal cable - at least I think it does.

 

Newt

Newt, thanks for the explanation. Your advice in the past has been most helpful as this is also.

I think after considering everything, I will forget the wireless and go for a Wired Router. Considering this, below is what I think I will have. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

PC- A will have the Cable Modem and Router nearby. Cable Modem line to Router and to PC-A. Then a cable from the Router to PC- B. The sharing of printer and files will be retained. PC-B will be able to access internet and mail without PC-A being on.

I know your reply answered all the questions for somebody that knows this, but doesn't apply to me! I've got some of it, still not sure.

Does what I wrote in the third paragraph even closely resemble what you meant?

It is a 24/7 deal. Just for the information, the Company gave me the Cable Modem and two months of service and an installation kit free of charge to do everything myself. This small community is swamping them with requests and they have called in people from the neighboring cities to help out. Dialup is so poor here that the offer of Cable Internet was an instant success. Price is $39.95, which will be $.55 less than what I am paying for a dialup and a separate phone line. Can't beat that.

 

Mudd,
What model router did you purchase?
My money says your unit will do both wireless and wired.
You can locate your cable modem and router near one PC and conect to that PC wiired. Then connect to the other PC in the house via wireless.

 

PC- A will have the Cable Modem and Router nearby. Cable Modem line to Router and to PC-A. Then a cable from the Router to PC- B. The sharing of printer and files will be retained. PC-B will be able to access internet and mail without PC-A being on.

Exactly correct.

ssmith10pn probably had it right about the device being built to accept at least one wired device as well as wireless. So here is my take on the wired vs. wireless for your situation.

Wireless 2nd PC:
- No wire needed so you avoid that hassle.
- WAP and wireless NIC needed so that's an expense.
- Wireless is slower than wired. I think 11Mbps is about tops. Still, your modem/internet connection will be under 1Mpbs so no performance problems there and the speed is fine for printers. Slower with file transfers than the 100Mbps you could run with all wired but how often do you transfer large files.
- Wireless is shorter range than wired in most cases and you can get interfearence from cordless phones at times or other items in the house.

Wired 2nd PC:
- Wire has to be run and in most cases, you'll need to have the wire run and ends crimped on. You can get pre-made cable of 50-100 ft and 100ft should run you under $10 (maybe as low as $5 if you mail order). Otherwise you need to have someone run it and put on the ends since it needs a special tool and isn't the easiest thing to do unless you have experience.
- If you want to move the PC, you have to move the wire with it.
- Unless you run the wire over an electrical house wire or a fluoro light fitting, you should not have problems with the signal.
- The network card in the machine now will work fine so no new one needed.

This company will furnish 50, 75, 100 ft patch cables (ends already molded on) for $3, $4, $5.

 

ssmith10pn - Newt

I have returned the Router for refund. No problem as I had not broken the plastic around the box. It was Taiwan made, forgot the name.

So as I got the OK from Newt on my guess on how to hook up, I eventually will do that.

First, I'm going to try to just connect the Cable Modem to my unit by a USB. We have our machines networked now with the cross/over. As I'm the one that leaves the PC on all day, I'm asuming that the network we have with ICS will also connect Grouch. Will get a second email address for her. Maybe this will work.

If not, will do the Cable thing through the attic. Got lucky on this. I bought two Dell machine at the same time. Told the ordering clerk that I wanted all the necessary cables and whatever Network the PCs together and the cable would need to be 75ft. When all arrived, the cable was not a cross/over which is what I needed. Called them and they said they did not have cross/over cable in stock and to just keep the one they sent without charge.
Had cross/over made up. Newt - The prices you referred me to could make a grown man cry. I paid $55 for a 75ft cross/over cable from a local PC shop. PC guys must live well here!!

Thank you Newt and all who assisted with information. Just waiting for Tuesday for the hookup with Cable. This 28,800 dailup is going to be history. What a fine "Christmas Present" this will be.

 

Mudd - keeping the direct connection between you and your sweet wife (grouch indeed ) and connecting to the modem via USB then using ICS will work OK if you have good luck with the USB networking. Some folks do and others don't and I've never really been able to figure out the diffrences.

If it doesn't work OK for you, nothing lost and you can always switch over to the router/switch.

note: tell Mrs. Mudd she can send the cookies to the address I gave her.

 

Newt,
Just to get ya caught up on wireless technology they are up to 108 Mbps on wireless.
The latest trick is 802.11G and they spread out the connection to 11 simultaneous connections on all of the channels.

http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=6

 

Thanks for the info. That's one heck of a speed up. Glad to hear it.

You know, I think one of the best ways in the world to stay up to date (or reasonably so) is to post something wrong on here. Thats one thing I love about this forum.

 

Amen my Brothea!!