Re: Wireless Router and DSL

JAD wrote:
"Ed Cregger" <ecregger@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:rPUGi.62436$U24.57717@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Peter wrote:
In article <eN2dnbCcCq-EcnTbnZ2dnUVZ_uKpnZ2d@xxxxxxx>, billanderson601@xxxxxxxxx says...
I built a new computer around an Asus P5K mbo and with the leftovers and a cheap cheap case I put together a pretty nice spare computer using my old Asus P4C800-E mbo. Then I decided to be a nice guy and I offered the leftover to some friends. Of course they wanted it -- as a second computer they'll use with their DSL connection. That's when I realized I know nothing about networking computers -- and they don't either.

So I've done some Googling and I've come to the conclusion they'll need a router. I also think that since they plan to put the gift computer in a part of the house a couple of rooms away from their current computer (and DSL modem) they'll need a PCI wireless card.

So to help them figure out what they need to buy to make this work, I've gone to Newegg and selected a router:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16833124190

and a PCI wireless card for the computer:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16833124115

Now a few questions:

1) Are these two items a smart buy? Is there better, cheaper, easier to set up hardware out there?

2) Are these two items all that'll be needed to connect their new computer as well as their current computer to the Internet using their DSL modem?

3) I do have a bit of DSL experience from long ago, and as I recall my DSL modem worked pretty much like a dial-up modem. I wasn't connected to the Internet all the time as I am now with my cable modem. I could connect or disconnect at will with DSL. So I wonder -- does the connect command pass from a computer through a router and on to the DSL modem? Either computer -- the wireless or the wired computer -- will be able to activate the DSL modem through the router individually or simultaneously? I think that's how it should work, but I'm not certain.

A router need be setup only once by logging on to it and providing the username and password that the ISP requires in order to connect. Thereafter, the router can either be left on permanently. Which means it will stay connected to the ISP and any computers that are part of the network will also be automatically connected to the internet. Or, whenever the router is turned on, it will automatically connect to the ISP. No software is required on any computer that is connected to the router to allow it to connect to the ISP.

Obviously what I'm providing here is very basic info about setting up your router. Also there are such details as WEP/WPA encryption, SSID etc when using wireless, assigning IPs for each computer, etc, but basically the above info should at least get you started.


Then why do I have to run Microsoft Broadband Networking on all of my outlying computers to get my wireless system to work?

You have MSN for an ISP? DSL? The only ISP I know of, that will not function very well without the software (connection manager staus monitor etc), Is AO-Hell. Most are PPOE and can be accomplished with the firmware of decent routers.
Am I doing something wrong? My system works, but I'm all for simplification. Why run extra software if you don't need it?

Ed, NM2K



No, I used this with Charter Cable ISP and now am using it with Bell South DSL.

I'm not a computer whiz, so I could be taking unnecessary steps, etc. But this is how I have my WiFi/DSL set up running at the moment.

I'm using a Microsoft wireless router (older model) with a mix of Linksys and Microsoft USB adapters. I also have a couple of laptops with their own cards (one has a built-in card, the other utilizes a PCMCIA module). All get along now.

Only problem is I'm stuck using 128 bit WEP because the Microsoft components in my system will not handle WPA, or whatever that designator is, for more robust encryption.

Of the four systems that I can receive in my community, I am the only system running any encryption at all.

Ed, NM2K
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