Wireless Router, Which one?

angela2095 · 29 November 2005 at 2:37PM

Hi, Been looking through Ebay, need a cheap router. I have NTL broadband via a little modem, looking to share internet connection with a computer upstairs. Will this router do the job? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NETGEAR-MR814-v2tw-802-11b-Wireless-Router_W0QQitemZ5836299980QQcategoryZ86765QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Thankyou.

espresso · 29 November 2005 at 2:49PM

More or less any wireless router would do what you want but make sure that your little modem has an Ethernet RJ-45 connector on it. I believe that the later NTL ones do, but not sure about the older ones!

angela2095 · 29 November 2005 at 3:17PM

Hi, Thanks for the reply. Had a look and there is a slot with ENET on it, is this what you mean?

MoneyMonkey · 29 November 2005 at 3:30PM

I would concur with espresso. That router should be fine, and ENET sounds like the ethernet port to connect it to.

It is worth pointing out that the router in question is only an 802.11b standard wireless connection. This just means that it is not particularly fast for the wireless bit. This might not be a problem for you, and since most wireless cards are backwardly compatible, it should still work.

MM.

gavinp · 29 November 2005 at 3:56PM

angela2095 wrote:

Hi, Been looking through Ebay, need a cheap router. I have NTL broadband via a little modem, looking to share internet connection with a computer upstairs. Will this router do the job? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NETGEAR-MR814-v2tw-802-11b-Wireless-Router_W0QQitemZ5836299980QQcategoryZ86765QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Thankyou.

If you can afford a slightly more expensive model, the K-Corp KLG575 gets very good reviews and the one my parents have lives up to the hype:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-IN-BOX-KCORP-11g-108-Mbps-Wireless-Router_W0QQitemZ5833088232QQcategoryZ45000QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is also suitable for NTL/Telewest (and ADSL if you have a separate Ethernet ADSL modem).

Thanks

Gavin

Sput2001 · 29 November 2005 at 4:13PM

It is worth pointing out that the router in question is only an 802.11b standard wireless connection. This just means that it is not particularly fast for the wireless bit. This might not be a problem for you, and since most wireless cards are backwardly compatible, it should still work.

The 802.11b standard is still faster than most broadband connections, so for most people it won't make any difference in terms of internet surfing & email downloading. If you're regularly transferring large files between computers on the same home network then a faster connection might help, however.

wolfman · 29 November 2005 at 5:13PM

gavinp wrote:

If you can afford a slightly more expensive model, the K-Corp KLG575 gets very good reviews and the one my parents have lives up to the hype:

I'll second the KCorp. It won a PC Pro labs test back in July among routers triple its price. It's not the best looking router around, but it just works, very solid. I've not had a single problem with mine.

I've got a Netgear DG834GT, Draytek Vigor 2600+ and the KCorp KLG575. I've actually been very disappointed with Netgear's more recent products. Won't be buying another in a rush. The Draytek is great but costs over £100. The KCorp produces a similar kind of quality to the Draytek, and for only £30.

The only thing to watch with the KCorp is that they've discountinued the model. In fact they've cut any form of technical support too. Hence the great price. It's solid router though, so you shouldn't or won't need any firmware updates or tech support. A great buy.

wolfman · 29 November 2005 at 5:20PM

NickMidgley wrote:

The 802.11b standard is still faster than most broadband connections, so for most people it won't make any difference in terms of internet surfing & email downloading. If you're regularly transferring large files between computers on the same home network then a faster connection might help, however.

Take note though. That's effectively if you've got a perfect signal. ADSL is generally hitting around the 2Mbps mark nowadays.

802.11b should be ok, depending upon the signal you get. But for example I've got 8Mbps ADSL and only get 60% wireless signal where my computer is. Hence if I was on 11Mbps 802.11b I'd be getting around 6-7Mbps which would be less than my ADSL speed.

Just something worth considering.

fbrj · 29 November 2005 at 7:33PM

angela2095 wrote:

Hi, Been looking through Ebay, need a cheap router. I have NTL broadband via a little modem, looking to share internet connection with a computer upstairs. Will this router do the job? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NETGEAR-MR814-v2tw-802-11b-Wireless-Router_W0QQitemZ5836299980QQcategoryZ86765QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Thankyou.

I too have NTL cable broadband and also have the KCorp 575g, which I bought about 3 weeks ago.....it's an excellent piece of kit with good encryption/security facilities too.

It was a good spot by gavinp to find one on ebay....they are sold out at all other www retailers I've looked at. I would snap one up asap! Although not being the most technically minded.....I managed to set it up ok [desktop pc - which has an ethernet connection from the KCorp router - and 2 wirelessly connected laptops] and even transferred files from pc to laptops and enabled the laptops to use the printer attached to the pc!!

smudge78 · 30 November 2005 at 11:04PM

right i am a newbie can someone confirm if having a wireless router jobby increases your broadband speed or not? Confused as they say 108mps etc on most of them, i may be being thick but i need to know as i could do with boosting my broadband speed. Oh I am with NTL so if you know of the best one to get that would be handy. thanks.

VinceWear · 1 December 2005 at 12:45AM

Hi Smudge78. This is not my particular area of expertise but I hope this is valid information...
It's my understanding that it will NOT increase your broadband speed at all. The 108 mbps you mention is the MAXIMUM speed it can transfer data, but this is subject to any 'bottlenecks', such as the speed of your broadband connection, the number of devices sharing the connection wirelessly through the router at that moment in time etc. etc.
The beauty of a router is that you can share a broadband connection between several computers at once, and share information between connected computers too.
Some people rely on routers with a firewall built-in, and dispose of their software firewall which can affect your connection speed (so getting rid of a software firewall may increase speed a tad), but this option would require careful setting up of your firewall-router to ensure adequate security.
But in answer to your question: if you just have one PC (desktop or laptop) connected to your broadband connection, you won't suddenly get a 108 mbps connection I'm afraid.
This information is to the best of my knowledge, but hopefully better minds than mine will come along soon...

Wireless Router, Which one?

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