Local Router - what exactly is one & which is the best?

oliveoil54

Hi
I recently applied for a post as a Teletech Agent mentioned in the most recent post of the month.

Their system checks your computer to see if it is compatable with their requirements. Can anyone advise how invasive is this check i.e. what can they view of my personal date?

Having done the check I got the message below, I have a 8mb (realistically more 2.5mb from our local rural exchange) broadband connection with Tiscali.

"You must have a local router between you and the internet to run the Workbooth Software. It seems that your IP Address is a direct connection to the internet. Either disable this connection, or place a router between it and the Internet"

What type of router do you think would be the best? I had a belkin wireless router previously, but took it back as I live in a stone cottage with fairly thick walls & the connection was always freezing requiring constant rebooting. Also I dont want to spend a great deal in case I dont get the job.

Regards Pat

bigdic

In my experiance Netgear are brilliant, very reliable and I've installed more than I can count. Just be aware that wireless is unlikely to be any better due to your thick walls.

Even if you don't get the job the router is a valuable security feature to have, I would never connect any pc direct to the tinternet without a router in between.

Good Luck

oliveoil54

Thanks for such a prompt reply. However, just had a quick look on PC World at Netgear routers and the choice is large, and am really not sure which type to go for? Can you recommend one?

Thanks Pat

espresso

oliveoil54 wrote: »

Thanks for such a prompt reply. However, just had a quick look on PC World at Netgear routers and the choice is large, and am really not sure which type to go for? Can you recommend one?

Thanks Pat

You could choose any of these routers.

oliveoil54

Again thank you for your quick reply but I have just looked at the routers and they are all wireless, as I said previously I had a Belkin long range router which continually crashed, PC World chap told me it was due to the thick stone walls in my cottage. Would you still suggest wireless?
Thanks Pat

espresso

Well choose one of these then if you don't want wireless.

oliveoil54

Great thanks very much, the prices look really good as well. Will check reviews and choose.
Many thanks
pat

coolhandjase

For reliability and ease of configuration, Netgear gets my vote as I've been using them for a few years.

coolhandjase

The DG834 would do the trick as it has a firewall built-in to protect you from the outside world as they say.....:T

oliveoil54

Thankyou all for your posts have actually gone for the DG834G, as this apparently gives me the facility to use both a wired and wireless router. Hopefully then my daughter can use it for her mac as long as she doesnt go to far from the router as the stone walls in my cottage dont allow easy transmission through them.

No doubt I will be back on if I have any problems with setting it up.
Thanks Pat