IT tech stuff modem router question

[kieran]

Hi, before I go and join a computer forum I thought I'd ask here first, I have just ordered a d-link wireless router (Dir-655) now currently I have an old speedtouch USB dsl modem but I need to get a dsl modem that can connect to the router using an ethernet cable. I naively assumed there would be lots of good modems out there, seems not? any recommendations and could I use a combined modem router as a modem only to connecct the d-link router to the internet?

Thanks!

Kieran

[Phil H]

So, at the moment, you have:
Internet --(DSL)--> Modem --(USB)--> Computer

You want add wireless - which most people do by buying a combined wireless/ethernet/DSL gateway thing, but you have a wireless router that connects to everything and does everything.

In theory, you can go:
Internet --(DSL)--> Modem --(USB)--> Computer1 --(ethernet)--> WiFi router --(802.11)-->Other stuff
You can do that by setting up two network connections on Computer1 and enabling "Internet connection sharing". I've done this on XP - Vista, I don't know. Bear in mind that if Computer1 is not switched on then nobody has internets.

You're probably right that you can go:
Internet--(DSL)-->Gateway--(ethernet)-->Wireless router--(WiFi/ethernet)-->Computers
Configuring it to do that would be down to the D-Link router config - it may be fiddly.

Oh, and to answer your actual question, a quick straw poll of people I know with this stuff shows Linksys to be the make that gives the fewest problems.

[kieran]

hi Phil, Marco, thanks for the replies. I spent ages online checking out various websites/forums for a good wireless router and settled on the D-link DIR-655 but this is a router only and the connection to the internet must be by ethernet cable not USB. I am getting my broadband over the phone line so I need to connect the internet to the router by some method. I was going to do:

Internet --(DSL)--> Modem --(ethernet)--> WiFi router --(802.11) --> Computer + Other stuff

Tis would require buying a modem, but there does not seem to be (m)any good dsl modems out there for this set-up so I was wondering if I could do:

Internet --(DSL)--> Modem router --(ethernet)--> WiFi router --(802.11)-->Other stuff

This would require buying a (cheap) basic modem router. But I am interested in Phils suggestion of:

Internet --(DSL)--> Modem --(USB)--> Computer1 --(ethernet)--> WiFi router --(802.11)-->Other stuff

As I would not need to buy anything else, as I have a USB modem and could use the PC for Computer1. Our PC is about 5 years old with Windows XP home edition and for example has only USB 1.1). Is this hard to set-up, and what sort of minimum specs would the computer need?

[EdO]

Keiran, I've been using a netgear DG834PN for the last three years with no problem. Picked it up from PC world so if there was a problem I had someone to shout at.

It's adsl modem/router, with four ethernet 10/100/1000 ports and wifi which sounds like it meets with your requirements. It has a web interface like most of these devices which is fairly intuitive.
Not sure what the general consensus is on netgear stuff but it's done a job for me.

[Ivor]

Get yourself a combined Wireless Router and simply connect your computer to it via either ethernet or wifi:
Another vote for the Netgear kit. e.g. DG834G

[code]
Internet --(DSL)--> RouterModem -- (Ethernet) --> Computer1
\-- (802.11) -->Other stuff
[/code]

[Elliot M]

i would also cancel/return the order and get an all-in-one.

if you need to in future you can add extra wired switches and wireless access points.

i also have an dg834g, but aren't they only wireless-G and 100 Mbit ethernet - ie a bit slow and out of date? or is price increase for Wireless-N and 1000Mbit substantial?

mine keeps failing to assign IP addresses so might have to bin it anyway...

[Elliot M]

ivor, looking at your website your home network is jut a *bit* more complicated that that

[Ivor]

[quote="Elliot M"]ivor, looking at your website your home network is jut a *bit* more complicated that that

[Will]

you can also get 3rd-party firmware for the DG834G which adds extra geeky functionality

is there a genuine need for "n" speed and more than 100 Mbit/s ethernet?

[EdO]

Ivor, are you still using mod_throttle ?

[Antloony]

Why don't you forget wireless and run CAT5E gigaspeed cable all over your house.

[Elliot M]

@marco: latest Netgear firmware, last 3 updates haven't fixed it

@will: firmware: Tomato/DD-WRT or whatever it's called? Thought that model wasn't compatible - what's the link?

@will: not sure, yes; backups are slow enough already.

[Will]

think it might be this one - can't remember as i have a DGN2000 now

http://dgteam.ilbello.com/

[kieran]

Well, I have kept ther DIR-655 for now and a d-link modem should be on the way,hopefully I will be putting it together over the weekend, I will let you know how it goes. I went for an n router as hopefully it will last a few years and I would guess that devices will emerge to exploit the extra capabilities in the coming years.

[Snoop Doug]

i prefer to write letters to people, s'easy