Wireless router help?

Question

My kids all want to be on the net at the same time and i am sick of cords running through the house. I am dumb.... If i buy a wireless router do I have to change my broadband plan from ADSL to wireless? Do i have to buy a new modem or does the router come with it? I am in Australia - any suggestions on the best to buy.THNKS

Answer 1

What you will need is a wireless router to connect to your ADSL modem and a wireless network adapter for each computer you want to connect to the router wirelessly.

Your connections would look like this:
-Phone line into DSL Modem
-Ethernet cable from DSL Modem to rhe routers WAN (Internet) Port

Then after configuring the router to connect to your ISP you would install the wireless Network adapters in the computers and away you go.

I always recommend D-Link products myself because of there user friendly setups.

Top of the line:
Router: http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=530
Desktop Network Adapter: http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=531
Laptop Network Adapter: http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=532

Good but Cheaper units:
Router: http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=6
Desktop Network Adapter: http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=12
Laptop Network Adapter: http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=1&pid=11

Answer 2

You won't have to change your broadband plan. You will need to buy the wireless router and a wireless adapter card for each computer. You should not need to buy a new modem.

Your router can connect to the modem via an ethernet cable. This should be the only cable you need and it can be a really short cable if you want to keep the router near the modem.

You can purchase wireless-g or wireless-n technology. If you have a small house or apartment, wireless-g should be okay (it's cheaper too). For a bigger house, wireless-n is the way to go. It has more 'power' so to speak.

You can also mix and match. I have a big house, so I have a wireless-n router, but the adapters in my computers are wireless-g.

Shop around for the best deal on this equipment and find sites that have user rankings so you can read what other people thought of the product.

Answer 3

No all you need is a wireless router you connect your current ADSL service to the "Internet/WAN" (Wan stands for Wide Area Network) port of the router and then you have wireless within your house. You still need to keep a DSL connection to the internet.

You can pick routers with modems in them although I would just get a Cable/DSL router which should just connect up to your current modem and work.

Most folks will tell you to get a Linksys or DLink brand.. but personnally I like the Buffalo Routers with High Output -- better range and more stable as far as I am concerned. They are available in Australia too.

Answer 4

All you need to buy is a wireless router.
The router will come with a small cat5 cable(network cable)
Plug the cat5(cable coming with the router) to the back of your ADSL modem and you should be fine.

Make sure the PC or laptop are coming with a wireless card.
Most laptop are built-in with a wireless card. If your PC does not carry a wireless card buy a USB wireless card.

I will recommend D-Link routers as they are user friendly.

If you need help during the setup email me.

Freddy
http://www.online-computer-repair.biz

Answer 5

Logically you would only need to buy a wireless access point [shouldn't be router] and connect it to the existing ADSL router. This is the simplest way to do it and the most cost effective! When you order your ADSL access point [shouldn't be router] ensure you mention the type of your existing ADSL router just in case. What you need is to place the wireless access device immediately after the ADSL router instead of the computer(s).

Answer 6

All you need to do is buy a wireless router. I recommend Linksys because it is easy to set up and their support desk is very helpful. When you set it up however, be sure to secure it so that only those with a password can access so others aren't hogging up all your bandwidth. Good luck!
www.linksys.com

Answer 7

If the kids both use laptops that have wireless capability, then you should be fine with just getting a wireless router http://www.digitalhome.com.au/Computers_Networking_And_Internet/Networking/Wireless_Routers

If the computers don't have wireless capability (they are desktops with no wireless adapter) then you will need to get USB wireless adapter, as well. http://www.digitalhome.com.au/Computers_Networking_And_Internet/Networking/Wireless_Desktop_Adapters?sort=Price+Ascending