which router do i need?

Question

I've got a home desktop and a laptop. I want to buy a router so that both the desktop and the laptop can use the internet at the same time. Please help (I am currently using tiscali boradband as my network provider)

Answer 1

How to set up your computer for wireless networking in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314897
///

Answer 2

Need to know if you want wireless support on this router or not?

If your laptop is newish it probably supportes 802.11 (wifi), so you probably want a router with wifi capability. 802.11 has an alphabet of standards - 802.11a, 802.11b etc... Most likely your laptop supports 802.11b or 802.11g. If you get a router that supports 802.11g, it will also work with an 802.11b device(laptop), so get an 802.11g router.

If the laptop doesnt' support wireless you can purchase a wireless nic card that plugs into a slot in the side.

Most likely your desktop doesn't have wireless, but it has an Ethernet port. So the best thing to find is a router that supports both wifi and at least one "private side" Ethernet port. The router will have "public side" Ethernet port, probably labled WAN that plugs into your cablemodem/dsl modem.

The other thing you need is a router that will allow you to share a single IP address (from your Internet provider) to both of those PCs. This function is called NAT (network address translation). And you want some sort of firewall to protect you from hackers.

My suggestion would be the Linksys WRT54G. http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1149562300349&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper

There are similar products from Netgear.

Also, on the Linksys web site they have a section called the learning center. I'd recommend reviewing that, so you get an understanding of DHCP and the other alphabet soup of stuff the router will do for you.

Answer 3

I'm currently using a netgear. I have 3 desktops and one laptop using this router.. Works great.. See if Netgear is compatable with your network provider.. Not sure they make a big difference.