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Looking at wireless routers

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Giles Barskins, Mar 13, 2008.

  1. Giles Barskins Gems: 6/31
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    What should I take into account when looking at buying a wireless router?

    I have a laptop with a wireless card and a desktop with no wireless capability.

    We don't do a lot of downloading. We stream TV shows every once in a while, but otherwise our internet usage is for general surfing. It seems that internet speed can be limited by the router, even if my ISP provides faster service.

    What security measures are available out there to make sure our home network won't get hacked or opened to bad guys?

    Any help would be appreciated.
     
    Giles Barskins, Mar 13, 2008
    #1
  2. Merlanni

    Merlanni Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    You decide to do it on a special moment. The standard si about to change. do not get alarmed, all the current devices will work just fine. For a few years the manufactures are trying to come whit a new standard called N. the old standard has the letter G.

    What has that to do whit the basic user? Data transfer speed and stability. The problem is that the standard is not out of development just yet. A few tips: Make sure that the router and receivers are of the same brand, and same productline. Avoid the B and C brands until the standard is well set. Everybody claims that it is safe, but users will always be beta testers. Good brands I know: Netgear, Linksys

    Or if the current standard is good enough, the G models are almost on sale.
     
    Merlanni, Mar 13, 2008
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  3. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Pretty much any wireless router you buy today will have everything you need and a standard set of security protocols you can choose from (setup info's in the manual). So it all boils down to what you need (i.e. how many ports and whether you need a printer server functionality too; some don't have it). I got mine (MSI) 2 years ago and I'm still happy with it. Unless you need something outside of the standard set of features, you can really make your pick going by the price only, because more or less all brands provide a consistent level of quality.
     
    Taluntain, Mar 13, 2008
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  4. chevalier

    chevalier Knight of Everfull Chalice ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    I know this isn't the kind of advice you're looking for, but I strongly suggest considering traditional cable connection. You don't need to worry about causing health problems, your connection will not be disturbed by any devices and so on. I've had a wireless router in my house for a while now, because of the Wi-Fi card onboard of the laptop, but I've decided to switch to cable connection as soon as possible. I can still keep the wi-fi capability for emergencies (a USB external card works well for a LAN party, for instance).
     
    chevalier, Mar 14, 2008
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  5. Disciple of The Watch

    Disciple of The Watch Preparing The Coming of The New Order Veteran

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    I second that.

    With proper equipment, cabled connections are faster and much less of a pain to configure.

    We did wireless back when I was taking my PSD, and it was one of the worst headaches I ever seen in my entire life.

    Ethernet cable is cheap and easy to make.

    I have a wireless card in my laptop, but I've deactivated it.
     
    Disciple of The Watch, Mar 14, 2008
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  6. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    If cable is an option, it's a no-brainer to go for that over wireless. It's always less problematic and more reliable. Wireless comes in handy where/when getting a cable connection is impractical (like having to drill through several walls and channelling a lot of cable) or if you move around the building with the laptop and don't use it in only one fixed location. And it doesn't cost you anything to set it up, so it's not that bad of an option overall.

    We've been using it around the house for a laptop for nearly 2 years and haven't had any problems with it after the initial setup (which didn't take that much work either). The signal strength varies, but that's because the router is previous generation and has about 10x smaller wireless range than anything you buy today.
     
    Taluntain, Mar 14, 2008
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  7. Giles Barskins Gems: 6/31
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    I've never heard of any health problems related to wireless networks. Of what do you speak, exactly?

    The major reason why we're going wireless because we have a 1 year old. Need I say more?
     
    Giles Barskins, Mar 14, 2008
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  8. Taluntain

    Taluntain Resident Alpha and Omega Staff Member ★ SPS Account Holder Resourceful Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!) Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!) BoM XenForo Migration Contributor [2015] (for helping support the migration to new forum software!)

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    Some people believe that they are harmful, same as cell phones. But nothing on this subject has ever been proven conclusively. I think that wireless has been around for long enough now that any ill affects of it would be noticeable if there really were any. The current official scientific and medical position is that WiFi/WLAN is safe.
     
    Taluntain, Mar 14, 2008
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  9. Merlanni

    Merlanni Veteran New Server Contributor [2012] (for helping Sorcerer's Place lease a new, more powerful server!)

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    The reason for changing to the N standard is the claim that it is as fast as the fixed cable. Bold to say the least, but it looks like they might do it. wireless 100m/bit second. Wow. But how fast is your connection? Do you need 100 m/bit Combined whit the 3 transmitters receivers for stability I tend to say go for N. But which one? The risk of problems is real.

    How much time do you have? This week, next month? I can suggest something, but that would be based on information from sites or magazines.

    Third option is through the power socket.
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2008
    Merlanni, Mar 14, 2008
    #9
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