Does a wifi router need to be connected to a primary computer permanently?

Question

Hi

I am planning to buy a wireless router, but am a bit unclear on one thing. Does the router need to be connected to a machine permanently i.e. is it mandatory to have the router always connected to one of the laptops/desktops physically (with the cable) all the time & only other devices excluding the primary laptop / desktop can surf wirelessly.

As I have only one laptop and I plan to surf web anywhere from in my home, if a primary laptop needs to be connected all the time to the router using a cable, it defeats the whole purpose of buying a wifi router. One of my friends has got a Belkin Router recently and it can connect to 4 other connections provided one of the computers is permanently plugged on to it.
If you are aware which router model will give me the functionality which I require (router throwing wifi signal without having been attached permanently to one computer) please let me know.

Thanks

Answer 1

No you do not need to have any computer physically connected to a wireless router. However you may want to weigh the consequences of allowing your wireless router to be administrated over a wireless connection. Personally I would only admin my router from a physical connection to the router and disconnect the physical connection when I don't need to admin the router. Bit of pain but don't have to do it to often. Also make sure you use WPA instead of WEP. WEP is easily cracked for WI-FI.

Answer 2

The router doesn't require a permanent physical connection to any computer, just your dsl/cable modem.

Initially you connect the router (via a regular CAT5 cable) to a computer to configure it, because you need to enter the information for your Internet connection and wireless settings. Once that's done, you don't need the wired connection anymore, unless you reconfigure the router in the future.

You can even allow administrative logins to the router over a wireless connection (although that's realy asking for trouble, so I wouldn't recommend it)

Answer 3

Unless you need your router to go through another computer - to say reach a particular area of your house - there is no reason to have a pc permanently connected to it for others to surf. Any wireless router will meet your need. I just recommend one with more than one antenna for good coverage. Your router must be permanently connected to your modem and a power source. With those connected and setup properly you will be able to connect as many wireless devices as you need to - none which need to be permanent.

Answer 4

The answer to your question is no. This is how the setup goes. The Wifi router is going to connect to your DSL or Cable modem allowing you to surf the internet anywhere in your home. You can get the Linksys WRT54G router where you will get a Wifi and ethernet connection.

Answer 5

A router, as quickly as set up, will initialize without desktops related, and can be utilized with in simple terms one (the place it grants in simple terms a sprint greater junk filtering whilst in comparison with hooking up direct to an ADSL or cable modem). i don't know of any cable-modem routers even with the undeniable fact that, a minimum of no longer interior the united kingdom the place the only criminal determination is what the corporate grants, this is distinctive someplace else. except the gadget does have that ability, then you definately want the cable modem related to the router.

Answer 6

it doesn't need to be connected to a PC to surf the web on a un-wired computer. Any router will work but, i prefer linksys. I've had one for over a year and, it works great.