When Buying A Wireless Router?

Question

I thought that when buying a wireless router all i had to do is get a wireless router, ethernet cord, and wireless adapter

When buying a wireless router, what do i need to get.

My nephew said i would have to get a card to which i would be able to use the wireless router for his computer. If so, is it easy to install, do i still need to get an adapter, and how much does the card cost.

Another thing, if i get a wireless router that states 35% faster, does that mean it will increase the speed of my modem, or just the receiving speed of the secondary computer.

One more thing, if a friend of mine, got a notebook, could he get connected to my wireless router if the card is installed. Also would he have to also by an adapter.

To see what i mean, you can probably find it at walmart.com which is where i will be buying the items.

Answer 1

All you need is to buy a router and an adapter. A card is the same thing as an adapter. They even make USB Adapters. If your nephew wants to get online, buy him a wireless adapter. Don't get this at wal-mart, go to like Best Buy or Circuit City. They will know MUCH more about wireless networks then wal-mart. Also, if someone got a notebook, they most likely do not need you to buy an adapter because they should come with one installed in the notebook already.

Answer 2

First of all, there's never been an A+G router, ever. A was the first wireless protocol, and has been completely abandoned for years now. The first B routers also included A, but that was also a few years back.

All G routers also can communicate with B cards. Also, there is an extremely new protocol, N, that is up to 6 times as fast as G. It isn't cheap, but it's also 3 times as fast as non-wireless, so it's something to look into. Most people today buy either 54 Mb/sec. G or 108 Mb/sec. Super G, which is slightly more expensive than G, but is also twice as fast.

The speed of your router only applies to how fast your router communicates with the computers that are communicating with it. How could it make your internet connection faster? By the way, if you're only wanting to give multiple computers internet access, through your DSL or cable modem, just stick with 54 Mb/sec G, since it costs the least, and is roughly 10 times as fast as your cable modem or DSL connection.

If you're also going to be sharing files between the computers, or sharing drives over the network, you'll probably want to invest in a MIMO router and NIC's (Network Interface Card). That will alleviate dead spots, and will give you maximum performance, no matter where in the house the computer is located.

Oh, and definitely get a PCI card for the desktop computers, and a PCMCIA card for the laptops. You'll not only get much better performance, they are less trouble, from my experience.

Answer 3

First, Alchemist is giving bad info. The following link will take you to the Linksys web page that shows they offer an A+G router.

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416939789&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

Secondly, "B" was the first Wireless format not "A".

Thirdly, Don't waste your money on buying a "N" router. The protocol has not been finalized yet and NONE of the manufacturers have said that once the protocol is finalized their products will work with it.

Buy a "G" wirless router, they are all backwards compatable with "B", they are reasonably inexpensive and will not be outdated for another 3-4 years. Buy a router with ethernet ports also. This way one system can be hardwired to the router for configuration and maintenece (firmware upgrades) and the rest of your systems can be connected wirelessly. You may also need to look at extended range antenna and or a wireless repeater if you want to have a good signal through the whole house. I would reccomend buying Linksys. They are owned by Cisco and Cisco makes 90% of the products that connect the Internet together.

I don't mean to be rude but I can't sit by and see completely erronious info being passed as the gospil.

Answer 4

First off, there are different wireless formats. Wireless A and G are the two most common. Also, you need a wireless reciever for the computer(s) you want to connect to the internet. So the reciever's format has to match the router's. In the example of the A and G formats, you can buy a A+G router that will handle both types.

As for the reciever, there are many different kinds. One of the easiest to use and install is the USB type, but there are other kinds as well. If you don't have much techno know how you should probably stick with the USB style.

As for your friends notebook, as long as his reciever matched your router's format, they will be able to connect to your internet.

Answer 5

You need the wireless router to enable your network to be wireless and to broadcase the Internet signals in your area.
Then your computer needs a receiver which is the Wireless capability or the Card. Most of the new laptops have the buit-in wireless card and capability, but if yours does't then you need to have a external Wireless card as well.
The speed of the router does not increase the speed of your modem and it is all about the speed of data transmission between your computer to the Router and to the modem and VS.
And at last, basically there is no limitation of how many computer can connect through a wireless router .. the more computer the slower speed .. that's all about it

Answer 6

All you need is the wireless router. You have to buy wireless cards for all the computers you want to receive the connection i recommend that you keep the modem and the router at one desktop and have the other desktops wireless so you have to buy one less wireless card it is pretty easy i set one up my self and it only took me about an hour. You friend could connect if his notebook has a wireless card built in to the notebook. The card cost about 40 dollars and the router 50

Answer 7

Go to Fry's and get the Netgear 802.11v2 54 Mbps router and adapter. Cost you about $50 for both.

Answer 8

dont go to walmart.. thats where idiots shop.
Go to Comp USA or Best buy.
Walmart will sell you something stupid.