wireless router=?

Question

My roommate has high speed sympatico connection for his 5-yr. old Sony Vaio desktop. I'm 2 floors above him looking to connect to the internet wirelessly. What should I buy? I've been told to buy a 'wireless router' that would connect to his computer. He does have a 'wireless network setup wizard' on his computer so I assume his comp. isn't too old for this kind of piggybacking arrangement. Any general suggestions, or recommendations as to what I kind of routers are good?

Answer 1

Try to get one that you can detach the antenna from, so that you can attach an external antenna to it. Since you are two floors away, attaching a directional antenna would help. Aside from that, any of the home routers are good (Netgear, Airlink, etc.) - but of course get at least the 801.11g type, not the 802.11b.

I presume you realize that you need to place this router down by his high-speed modem, like this:
internet-->modem-->router-->computers

So on your computer you will also need to add wireless capability if you don't already have it. So, in ADDITION to the router you need to buy either a card you install n the computer, or else a USB adaptor that you plug into one of the external USB ports on your computer.

Answer 2

A router really has nothing to do with the computer, so you should not worry about compatability issues. A router is a stand alone device that does not require and software interaction.

This will be your physical connection:

-Cable from the wall to your broadband modem
-Ethernet cable from your broadband modem to the WAN Port of the wireless router
-Ethernet Cable from the routers Ethernet Port #1 to your roommates computers ethernet port

-Install the wireless Adapter in your computer

Now two floors is alot for a wireless signal to get to so if you have problems getting a signal to your computer then purchase a high gain directional antenna and point it in your computers direction.