School me on home wireless network

[Jay5.9L]

Just got a fancy new TV with internet apps and I want to set up a home wireless network. We have a Comcast modem/digital phone box wired to our desktop in the office. What do I need (wireless router, etc.) and what/where is a good place to get it? Unfortunately one of the neighbors took the name "Boats and Hoes" so I need to think up a new name

 

[TRNDRVR]

I just did the same thing. I moved my router from the desk area to the TV area. 50" plasma plugs directly into router, ran an Ethernet cable to the upstairs and plugged internet capable DVD/blue ray player into that. Put a wireless card into desktop and rely on wireless for my laptops.

Streaming Netflix is cool!!!

 

[Rusted]

you will need the wireless part of the puzzle. This is what I have and what I would suggest, but there are lots of good options and others may suggest others.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

you will need to wire it up so it goes something like this:

comcast coax -> comcast modem/phone box -> wireless router -> your network

From there all of your computers, wifi devices, etc will all be able to connect to the common network.

You can always use the name "Hoes with Boats", that should keep them thinking


Edit: $50 for a WRT54GL is about as low as you see them. I would not pay much more than that for one since you can pretty much get then anytime for $50. The newegg price shows $70 until you add it to your cart.

 

[Jay5.9L]

Thanks for the info. I assumed it was something like "comcast coax -> comcast modem/phone box -> wireless router -> your network". How fast is wireless now compaired to wired?

 

[DOSS]

I will suggest you turn off your SSID broadcast.. much harder to crack a wireless network that isn't screaming that it is there

 

[Jay5.9L]

I goggled SSID broadcast and it sounds like good advice!

I have a few more questions after reading a few wireless routers articles. My tv says it has 802.11n. Should I pay a more and get a N router? Also, should I get one with a Gigabyte port to connect to the desk top?

 

[DOSS]

Get the N router for sure.. I think it it a noticeable difference (especially with the netflicks).. gigabyte port... I could live without it but if you have the spare $$ why not

 

[TRNDRVR]

I goggled SSID broadcast and it sounds like good advice!

I just googled it too. How do you shut it off?

 

[DOSS]

In your router you should have a little checkbox that says turn off broadcast .. you will then have to manually enter the SSID into your wireless devices and have it connect even if it is not broadcasting ...

 

[Jay5.9L]

gigabyte port... I could live without it but if you have the spare $$ why not

Will I see a speed increase if I got one or is the standard Comcast/home PC not able to utilize the higher speed?

 

[Caleb]

Get the N router for sure.. I think it it a noticeable difference (especially with the netflicks).. gigabyte port... I could live without it but if you have the spare $$ why not

So you're telling me you have faster than a 100mb internet connection?

If you do the one Rusted linked to, make sure it's THAT one. The WRT54G isn't the same as WRT54GL. The GL is a lot nicer unit. I always have issues with the WRT54G after a few months of use (even with open source firmware on it). If none of your devices are "N" capable, then you'll need to make the decision of wanting to spend the extra on N. N is faster and has a better range, but both devices have to support it to take advantage of it.

 

[Chevycrew]

I have been looking into this too, for our wii.

WRT54GL

From nintendo:

Our experience has shown this router to possibly be incompatible with the Wii Console

 

[Caleb]

I have been looking into this too, for our wii.

WRT54GL

From nintendo:

Our experience has shown this router to possibly be incompatible with the Wii Console

Good info to have, but that would be an problem with the Wii not following industry standards.

 

[Chevycrew]

I have been looking at the Linksys - E2000, but not sure if its worth the extra $

 

[DOSS]

So you're telling me you have faster than a 100mb internet connection?

no I didn't.. but file transfers between systems on the same network at Gigabit rock

 

[Caleb]

Get the N router for sure.. I think it it a noticeable difference (especially with the netflicks)

no I didn't..

You sure you didn't say that N helps with downloads???

but file transfers between systems on the same network at Gigabit rock

What kind of systems? You do realize that most systems will never touch a gig port, right? Infact most home systems won't even max out a 100mb port. However, you've bought in to the propaganda most companies want you to believe, so kudos to them.

Not to pick on you or anything, but most people have a false sense that their gig network is screaming fast, when in reality its no faster than their 100mb network was. Your network is only as fast as the slowest bottleneck, which is often your hard drive's i/o. I've had many debates about this at work with designer's that think they need a gig port (at the time, gig ports were expensive) and it wasn't until we started graphing their ports to show them they weren't even touching a 100mb port capacity, did they finally start to believe us (like us geeks have any idea what we're talking about ).

 

[gijohn40]

most of your wireless runs at 54 mbps which mean you will be able to transfer file from one device to another at 54 mbps... now with all your devices running at 54mbps back and forth to each other.... in an idea world you will be ok... but now look at your internet connection... I have seen some 40 megabyte connections but nothing faster in the residential side of the house.... so here you are screaming at 54 megabytes yet your internet connection is only 40 at most... so with that knowledge.. would you like to spend extra money on an N system that allows you to run at upwards of 104 megabytes when your internet is limited at 40?

I always laughed at people that would go out and spend hundreds of dollars on high speed routers yet they are with qwest on a 1.5 megabyte dsl line....

if you want to run cables to all your stuff I have an 8 port switch that runs at 100 mbps that I would be willing to sell you for $15... here is a pic of it...

 

[gijohn40]

the advantage of a wired network compared to wireless is that some pervert can't sit out in his car in the street linked to your wireless network downloading kiddie porn.... of which they can trace back to your router... so you have the chance of getting busted for it!

Security is a nice thing...

 

[Rusted]

I have been looking into this too, for our wii.

WRT54GL

From nintendo:

Our experience has shown this router to possibly be incompatible with the Wii Console

I use a WRT54GL with a wii and have had zero issues

 

[Chevycrew]

Thanks!