Joined: 04 Aug 2006Posts: 32Location: London (Paddington Exchange)
Hi all,
I have zero experience on networking since until today I have only had a desktop PC connected to the internet via a USB modem and tomorrow I am getting delivered a new laptop. This will be my first experience with wireless networking or as a matter of fact with networking in general and at this point you may have guessed that I truly need plenty of help on the topic.
I currently have:
- A Dell Dimension 4500 desktop PC on Genuine Windows XP Home Edition (original CD without any Service Packs although software upgraded to SP2 via online updates).
- Connect to internet with Orange internet broadband (8Mb package, getting at times download maximum speeds up to 6.5 according to speedtest.net) through the Thomson Speedtouch 330 USB modem.
- My PC does NOT have a PCI LAN Ethernet card or anything else to connect via a RJ45.
Tomorrow I will get delivered a:
- Dell Inspiron 1525 laptop with OS Windows Vista Home Premium.
- Has a Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45) and 56K Modem (RJ11)
- The Wi-Fi option I chose is: Intel Pro/Wireless Next-Gen Wireless-N 802.11 a/g/n Mini Card Wireless.
Amongst other things, what I would like to do is being able to share the intenet with both my PC and the new laptop. To start with, I believe I need a few more accesories/peripherials in order to do that and this is when I start to get confused. I think these items are:
1) A Wireless modem-router (the "all in one") with N technology.
1a - I mentioned the N-Wireless to get the best possible wi-fi on the new laptop. However, I live in a small studio and perhaps a G+ or Mimo modem-router would be enough to do the work. If so, would a G+ or Mimo modem-router work with the N-wireless card on the laptop?
1b - I would like to coneect the modem-router WIRED with the desktop PC and WIRELESS to the laptop. Would this be the right thing to do?
1c - Do I need to buy a wireless modem-router compatible with windows Vista? Desktop Pc is on Windows XP and laptop is on Windows Vista!
1d - Finally and probably most important of all, which brand do you recommend in terms of compatibility with Orange BB and performance? Belkin seemed to have good reviews, D-Link perhaps, Netgear or any other...? Orange wants to tie me up on a 12 month contract if I want to get their Livebox and I definately don't want that to happen. I don't mind at all paying for my own modem-router and I'd rather get this choice as I might be changing homes in less than a year.
2) A 10/100 RJ45 Ethernet PCI card adapter for my old desktop PC.
2a - would any brand do such as PC Line, Netgear, or any other you may want to recommend?
2b - would a Gigabit card be necessary in order to get the best of the N-wireless connection with the new laptop?
2c - I don't know if the Gigabit 10/100/1000 PCI card is intended only to transfer files much faster and this card has nothing to do with broadband speeds. Is this right?
I have read lots and lots for the past two weeks on this helpful forum as well as elsewhere and I think I got the wording right on the above. However, I am fully aware I am a complete newbie on the subject and would truly appreciate any support and ideas you wish to share.
Joined: 13 Aug 2006Posts: 1689Location: Marylebone Central London
Hi javinlish,
javinglish wrote:
My PC does NOT have a PCI LAN Ethernet card or anything else to connect via a RJ45
You will need to buy one and install it you can get one for around £12 or if your not comfortable installing one you can buy an ethernet adaptor like the one here
1a = Almost all are compatible
1b - Yes
1c - Almost all compatible if not a firmware ugrade will sort that.
1d - Ive used a few different routers, in my opinion a Netgear router would be your best option as its very easy to use and configure my recommendation would be a DG834Gv3, DG834PN (RangeMax Mimo) or DG834GT (which ive been using for the last year) wireless range on all Three are excellent. the DG834N is "N" but "N" wouldn't be absolutely necessary all are compatible.
I'm sure others will give a few recommendations.
2) Yes
2a Any brand will normally do.
2c It shouldn't have any effect on your broadband speeds.
I think ive covered it
_________________ ex Freeserve/Wanadoo/Orange Blog
Joined: 04 Aug 2006Posts: 32Location: London (Paddington Exchange)
Hi stevelondon,
Thanks a mill for such brilliant explanation. I will go for the Ethernet PCI 10/100 card which will save me from using an extra USB port, I'm somehow confident I should be fine installing it.
Regarding the modem-router, I will follow your good experience with the DG834GT and will look for it.
If you don't mind me asking, I've just thought on something else which has to do with the firewall.
Going through several reviews I've noticed that many routers have firewall or even double firewalls included (still have to check if that is the case with the Netgears you mentioned).
Would this mean that by buying a router with firewall I would not need to have installed any sort of firewall software for either the PC or the laptop therefore having just an antivirus software on both machines would be enough?
Joined: 13 Aug 2006Posts: 1689Location: Marylebone Central London
Although the router firewall is good i strongly recommend a software firewall on each PC something like Free Zone Alarm will be adequate and of course antispyware Free AVG or the like.
Hope this helps
_________________ ex Freeserve/Wanadoo/Orange Blog
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
