i'm not really one of those people that know everything about computers and internet. ok so you go to the store, buy a wireless router, bring it home. then what. do you just hook it up. how does it work?
2006-09-01 05:37:08 · 6 answers · asked by soccerfan10td 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Routers provide an easy local area network of computers. This will allow for file sharing and printer sharing. A router can also be used to share the internet, when connected to a high speed internet service.
Wireless Routers are somwhat more troublesome than wired routers. So if the wire-run to the 2nd computer is close and easy, I recommend using that.
But if you want to go Wireless, make sure that one computer is wired to it, so you can easily check the network status and such. Be sure to use the wireless security features.
2006-09-01 05:41:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK - philosophically - IF you had cable modem coming into your house - it would come in from the wall and go into your computer.
Well.... with a router - it would come into the wall and go into your ROUTER. There's another place there to go FROM the router to the DESKTOP.
When it set up that way, roadrunner thinks that the router is a computer but it's not. The router's purpose is to take that signal and split it. A wireless router usually has at least 3 hard wired places (where you can actually put 3 wired computers into it - but then you'd have to all be in the same area) - however the ones that are wireless - will take that one signal from the wall - and also create radio waves (I believe) that laptop computers can pick up from their wireless cards.
I'm simplifing the explanation so you can gain the 'concept' of how they work. Most routers also have built-in firewalls and security codes that can be generated so your next door neighbor can't jump on your system without your permission.
The routers are really not meant for dial-up....even though I'm sure there's a work-around - it would be very slow.
2006-09-01 12:44:08 · answer #2 · answered by longhats 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A router is a bridge between two networks. When u buy a wireless router all u have to do is just plug in the internet cable to it, give power and insert the disk provided by the vendor..and follow the instructions on the computer...
First read the manual carefully and do exactly what it says..
Its not that difficult to configure the router.
2006-09-01 12:41:31 · answer #3 · answered by Bhima M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the wireless router, but the wired router I have is a LinkSys 4 port cable/DSL router, that let's me hook my computers (3) to the internet and each other, and we can all be on the internet at the same time :-).
The instructions that come with LinkSys routers are very easy to read, well written, and has pictures that really helped me, but it is very important to read the instructions first.
2006-09-01 12:47:06 · answer #4 · answered by imnotlisa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off most of these wireless routers are not called upon to do any routing at all so are misnamed. They use the ability to perform Network Address Translation in order to share one internet accessable IP address among multiple devices. A wireless router also incorporates a wireless access point allowing the shared internet ip address to be used by wireless enabled devices.
2006-09-01 12:43:17 · answer #5 · answered by Interested Dude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insert the power and then the ethernet cables. And VIOLA! you are done.
For wireless go to 192.168.0.1 in your browser and set it up.
2006-09-01 12:40:26 · answer #6 · answered by andrewbison 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋