Cable Wireless router.

PaulJM

Hi all,

Thought I'd post the question here - the dedicated sites are a bit scary for a layman!

I need a replacement wireless router for a VM fibre line.
I'm currently using a Belkin N1, but it's old, and the Android phones don't really like it - they need a static IP (which I've done) which then kicks off our work laptops which use VPN tunneling for work, cos of an IP conflict...ANYWAY!

I would like one that isn't Belkin, because of the above, had the potential to share the printer (it's quite and old Cannon, so no wireless, but it's blummin great so it's staying!), as that gets bulky to get off the shelf, connect it up, etc, and a router that's reliable.
Don't want to spend loads, but up to £100 would be ok - we use it for work, pleasure, uni and school, so there's no point in scrimping.

Any ideas?

Scho

I have a Billion BIPAC 7800N and can't recommend it enough.
It takes both a WAN connection (Virgin!) and is an ADSL modem so will work with whatever ISP/method you choose to connect to the internet in future. I think these go for about £110 but very future proof and give good wireless coverage. Plus its got a fairly easy and basic setup screen, but the advanced features still give you all the advanced control you need to sort out fixed IPs etc (although a little vague at points I admit).

Worth a look if nothing else.

PaulJM

Thanks - it looks great.
Does it have a USB port? I'm imagining that I'd be able to stick my printer or/and external HD if there is one..but I can't imagine it'd ever be that easy.

Scho

Nope sadly not. One of my few gripes as well!
You can find cheapish network adapters for connecting USB devices onto networks but they obviously need to be on all the time to be accessed or switched on for use. And by the time you've done that you may as well have dragged the laptop with you and plugged it in anyway.:rotfl:

If you can save a bit it might be worth considering getting a NAS or a home server eventually, that could then hold files centrally on HDDs, stream content around the house and be a print server all in one. That's my next project as well if my other half will let me!

PaulJM

Ta!
I was considering the home network stuff...but it started to hurt my head.

I've asked a number of people, who came up with loads of different solutions. One person even re-cabled their house. Hmm.

It got so complicated that I decided I'd just stick the printer in the USB port

Scho

Funny how often sometimes the simple solutions work best!
Could always run a CAT5 around the outside of the house?

PaulJM

Scho wrote: »

Funny how often sometimes the simple solutions work best!
Could always run a CAT5 around the outside of the house?

Dunno if my cat1 would like that. She hates other catz.

sonstream

PaulJM wrote: »

Thanks - it looks great.
Does it have a USB port? I'm imagining that I'd be able to stick my printer or/and external HD if there is one..but I can't imagine it'd ever be that easy.

if you have a computer thats always turned on just keep the printer plugged into that and share it so all the users accross the network can print on it (will need to know what operating system the pc will be using to tell you how to do it) and all the laptops/pc's on the network will have to set it up but it's not that hard cheaper than buying a print server ! HTH

sonstream

Scho wrote: »

If you can save a bit it might be worth considering getting a NAS or a home server eventually, that could then hold files centrally on HDDs, stream content around the house and be a print server all in one. That's my next project as well if my other half will let me!

i have a western digital 2tb worldbook 2nd edition has a media server built in that streams flawlessly to any dlna equipment tv, xbox ect.. also have a bit torrent client and runs itunes server has a usb port but is only for adding an external usb drive for either adding storage or copying files over to it.

PaulJM

sonstream wrote: »

if you have a computer thats always turned on just keep the printer plugged into that and share it so all the users accross the network can print on it (will need to know what operating system the pc will be using to tell you how to do it) and all the laptops/pc's on the network will have to set it up but it's not that hard cheaper than buying a print server ! HTH

Nah use 2 work laptops and a home one. All get chucked over the place.

closed

put the phones mac address in the belkin, and reserve an ip address further up the 192.168.2.x scale for it, so it doesn't conflict.