Wireless network and ADSL router question NB, sorry and thanks.

[dralex]

I was going to put this in the lounge, but it doesn't seem that appropriate. I've just got a laptop for work and also bought a wireless Belkin router at the same time and was told I don't need a network card on my desktop PC. The problem is that my ADSL modem has USB connection and has no way of connecting it to the router. What is the best solution? Do I need a network card for my PC which will then connect to the router and will this then share the broadband connection into the back of the desktop via the USB port.

Thanks.

Alex

 

[Gunfleet]

Are you sure you can't connect the modem to the router by usb?

 

[dralex]

There are no USB sockets on the router ( i'm pretty sure anyway but will double check).

 

[Gunfleet]

Mine (a Belkin) does have, which is why I asked. It's how I connect them.

 

[duncan]

hmmmm

line -> ADSL modem -> desktop via USB -> router via ethernet -> laptop via wireless
however yes you will need an ethenet card in the PC and the PC will have to be on and connected for the wireless network or internet connection sharing to be active.
better to get a new modem with both ethernet and USB so that you can connect to the desktop via USB and the router via ethernet and the line will be live to both machines (and any others that you subsequently aquire) seperately. not that much more than a card and worth the money as it makes everthing so much simpler on set up too.

real experts may well add to this very basic view.

 

[iwharrier]

You have two choices. First, install network card in your desktop and connect to the ADSL Router with an RJ-45 patch lead. Second, install a wireless card (or wireless USB) into your desktop and setup up a wireless connection.

Hope this helps.

Ian

 

[dralex]

Thanks Duncan- I was hoping you or Brendan were out there today.

 

[oldharry]

The PC needs some means of connection to the Belkin if USb is not available. Cheapest way is to install a network card in the PC, and have a cable link to the router. The Laptop then has to be configured to access the Internet connection in the PC, which is not easy. I used software which effectively made the laptop a 'remote slave' to the PC which meant each laptop keystroke was transmitted to the Pc and the response transmitted back - a delay of up to 1.5 seconds - quite unpleasant to work with. There may of course now be software that gets round this.

The most viable solution I found was to have an integrated Wireless router modem. This still needed a cable connection to the PC to access it to set up the wireless etc, so still needed either a USB or Ethernet cable, but it works fine (most of the time!), allowing full internet connection sharing, and effectively giving the laptop its own internet connection.

The whole thing can be a nightmare as different makes of modem and routers do not necessarily work with each other.

 

[dralex]

I don't want to appear too thick here, but will one of the combined ADSL modems and wireless routers do the job and will my Virgin Broadband accept a new ADSL modem in place of the Alcatel one it was supplied with?

I really appreciate the replies.

 

[fireball]

if your on adsl then yes, you can use any ADSL wireless router/modem with your connection - you don't have to use the cheapy USB one supplied ...

If you do go down the wireless router/modem route then you will need some sort of network card for your PC - it could be standard wired or wireless - your choice!

 

[simonfraser]

Hi dralex,

yes, your last suggestion is the best, modem/router/wifi all in one

lan card in the main pc connect this to the router

then wifi cards on the others, you laptop has a wifi link build in i think

if you leave the router on, you can access the net without your main pc


the type of internet connection does not matter, the router can be set up to dial/use whatever you have

Simon

 

[dralex]

Thank you all- your replies have saved me a huge amount of time.

Virtual beers to you all.

Alex

 

[BrendanS]

You set up the wireless connection as a network, so the laptop connects to a network, not as a slave. The software to do this comes with the wireless cards, or as part of later operating systems. No need nor reason for laptop to be slaved on any wireless network

 

[Gunfleet]

Your answer baffles me. I don't think you need a pc attached to them at all. I have the modem and the wireless router in a cupboard and no pcs attached to them. Admittedly I did need a pc attached via an ethernet cable to set them up, but that took five mins. One PC is in the garden shed/office, the other in the living room. Nothing is cabled.

 

[oldharry]

Sorry if I have confused you - setting up the laptop as a 'slave' was the first way I tried it - and although it worked, it was to all practical intents unuseable. Only mentioned it, because thats what it seemed you might be trying to do....

And as you found - you needed to do the initial set up via an enthernet cable. You obviously got there ahead of me!

I will shut up and go back to antifouling my boat /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif