Wired Network, Best Router?

Jo4

albertross wrote:

A wireless router is neater and safer (provided that you encrypt it).

How do you encrypt it?

Kilty_2

Internet Connection Sharing is a mess at the best of times.

A 2 or 4 port wired router (ADSL if it's phone line based broadband and not cable) would do the job and they are cheap as chips now since everyone's wanting wireless.

https://www.ebuyer.com you'll get a router and the required cabling there no problem.

Jo4

ormus wrote:

if you go down the netgear wireless router road, then you will also need a wireless card for the 2nd puter. assuming its a desktop pc and it hasnt got one?

most new lappys have them already built in.

I thought it being wired would be easier for Mum and Dad to use. Also the price of a wireless card and a cable would be similar.

murphy61

the other great thing about router v crossover, is that the router (if it's ethernet, which is better than usb) stays on 24/7 and reconnects automatically if it does go offline. So your mum and dad would have no diffs about connecting, just switch on either or both pcs and you're online.

ormus

http://www.pcbest.com/tech_stuff/cat5_cable.htm

albertross_2

Don't let this scare you off..

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471408&postcount=37

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=2471410&postcount=38


It looks more complicated than it is.. The essence is that you put a password on the router config screen, and tell that to the wireless PC, it can either be done using the installation CD, or by going to a web address in IE..

Wireless routers are wired as well, so you only need one wireless adapter for the remote PC

The advantage of a router over crossover, is that the built in NAT functionality acts as an excellent firewall. With Crossover, you are relying on windows software to protect you, a router lessens the load on the PC.

Jo4

ormus wrote:

the lan port is the local area network port.
its shaped rather like a large/ish telephone socket.
most puters for the last 6 ish yrs or so have one.

It's a bit wider though, isn't it? My laptop has 2 lan ports as far as I know. Dads computer is about 7 or 8 years old and I don't think it has a lan port, so what happens next if it doesn't?

ormus

albertross wrote:

A wireless router is neater and safer (provided that you encrypt it).

safer? exactly how?

if i have 2 puters in my house connected with a lan cable, how can anyone else access my system?

but if you have a wireless router, i could sit outside your house and possibly access your system!

albertross_2

lan cards cost about a fiver from ebuyer.

ormus

Jo4 wrote:

It's a bit wider though, isn't it? My laptop has 2 lan ports as far as I know. Dads computer is about 7 or 8 years old and I don't think it has a lan port, so what happens next if it doesn't?

get a pci lan card. dirt cheap. ive got one here free for you!