[SWLUG] wireless router advice

[Chris King]

On Thu, September 2, 2010 18:35, Matthew Moore wrote:
> On 02/09/10 17:30, Neil Jones wrote:
>> I am currently connecting my machines through a router that has no
>> wireless capability.
>> I want to retain this but ad wireless capability for a laptop.
>> Despite my email address I connect to the internet via VIRGIN MEDIA's
>> cable system
>> at home.
>> Does anyone have any advice? I don't want a router that combinees a
>> cable modem in it just a plain
>> wireless router that retains the wired capability.
>
> I guess that you just want a plain ole wireless AP then?  If you already
> have a router, you just need a wireless access point.  You can keep the
> old router.

Adding an AP to the network is simple enough, but it's another box and yet
more cabling.

> I quite linksys kit (you'll hear lots of people slag of or big up pretty
> much any brand).  So this should do:
>
> http://www.ebuyer.com/product/45025

I'm not a big fan of Linksys kit, having had several of their switches
fail on me. Also, be aware that Cisco are declaring end-of-life for some
Linksys product ranges - this has mostly affected VoIP kit so far, but I
suspect they'll do the same to older networking kit.

> If you need a router as well, then something like this:
>
> http://www.ebuyer.com/product/52244

That wouldn't work for Neil, as he's on Virgin Media cable - the WAN
uplink has to be Ethernet to connect to the Virgin-supplied cable modem.
(Nobody sells routers with built-in cable modems in the UK)

I've noticed various places dropping the prices of older (but still
supported) NetGear routers:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NetGear-WNR2000-100UKS-Netgear-WNR2000-Wireless-N/dp/B001E1SRZE

This would replace Neil's existing router and provide wireless
connectivity in a single box. It supports 802.11n wireless networking, as
well as the older 802.11b/g standards.

Argos have started selling them for £39.99:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/9255131.htm

I've bought one of these to set up a wireless network at a friend's house
- nice little piece of kit at that price.

> Or you could buy a USB/PCIMIA card for the wireless.  I would research
> that more carefully as that sort of thing can be tricky on linux.

Card manufacturers have a nasty tendency to change chipsets during the
production run of a specific device, which makes Linux support a bit
tricky. When looking for a suitable card, don't rely on older reviews or
workarounds.

Chris

-- 
Chris King
http://www.csking.co.uk/