How easy is a wireless network to set up?

[Greig]

I really need to get a wireless network, what I want is the router to be connected to the pc by cable and have 2 laptops and 1 other pc wireless.

Is this easy to do without being a computer wizz?

Also can anyone advise on what kit/make to buy?

Thanks

 

[autolycus]

Do you have a broadband non-wireless router already?

If so, then all you need to do is buy a wireless access point and add this to your existing network (plus do a bit of config).

If you have no router at present, then the best bet is an all-in-one wireless router. Something from the Draytek Vigor series would be my recommendation. These routers do pretty much everything, and work well straight out of the box whilst still being highly configurable by those who have more "advanced" needs.

Dave.

 

[confused]

pretty easy, what connection do you have ? ADSL or cable? that will determine the type of router you need. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, that said, there is some budget wireless equipment available from belkin, linksys and dlink which is decent enough for SOHO use, though I personally dont like dlink.
What operating system is on each? Do the laptops already have a wireless card? I prefer a PCI wireless card for your desktop pc but there are some 1/2 decent usb devices available now if you would rather not go tinkering in your pc, there are some kits available that give you a router and a card or two also.
Its easy to setup, a little less easy to setup properly.
But like most things, anything is easy when you know how !
Not sure how much I'll be on over the weekend but I'll help out if poss, post nack details of the above questions first and we'll go from there, there are plenty of techie people on here so you will get sorted easily enough I would have thought.

Regards

CALV

 

[confused]

autolycus posted whilst I was typing my message!
I would say even if you do have an existing router, that it would be easier and not at all much price wise to replace your existing one with a wireless router, the reason being, there is then one less device on your network, therefore one less to configure, and one less to cause problems.
I've never used a Draytek so cant say if they are good or bad. Please be careful using one straight out of the box, you need to configure security both for access to the routers config pages and your wireless at the very least.

CALV

 

[Greig]

Thanks guys at the moment I just have a normal usb modem for broadband through plusnet. Both the pc's and laptop are all windows xp.

 

[confused]

I assume plusnet is ADSL since I dont recognise the name as a cable provider but I may be wrong, does the usb modem plug into the phone socket?
Does your pc have a network card ?
Do your lappys have wireless cards?

CALV

 

[Deleted member 3454]

Is this easy to do without being a computer wizz?

It's very straightforward.

When I set mine up I went to PC World, told a member of staff what I wanted to do and they asked me a few relevant questions (e.g. what ISP provider I used and that helped them with which type of router I needed). I also needed a wireless card for my laptop as it isn't wireless enabled - check whether you need the same sort of thing for your laptops and PC.

The actual set up was straightforward and simply a case of following the instructions that came with the router.

One thing I would advise is make a note of all the settings - you may need them again later.

 

[Greig]

I assume plusnet is ADSL since I dont recognise the name as a cable provider but I may be wrong, does the usb modem plug into the phone socket?
Does your pc have a network card ?
Do your lappys have wireless cards?

CALV

Yes its ADSL plugs into the phone socket. Both laptops are wireless enabled built in but the pc is not.

:? :?

 

[confused]

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/852034

should do you fine, comes with a usb adapter for your pc that has no wireless. (how far away is it? I'd cable it if at all possible) As for setting up, PLEASE make sure that you set security up, if the instructions dont mention this - some do, some dont, then please ask.

 

[autolycus]

Ok. You definitely need the all-in-one router/wireless combo then.

No further hardware needed for the laptops.

PC will need either a wireless network card or (preferably) a basic PCI 100Mb Ethernet card so you can use a wired connection between PC and router. Try Maplin for the card. Shouldn't cost more than £5 - £6 for a bog standard one.

For the router take a look at:
http://www.dsl-warehouse.co.uk/product.asp?pr=VIGOR2800G

This is the latest version of the Draytek one I use.

Out of the box it has all the required inbound ports blocked on the firewall. So no complex config needed there.

Can't remember how secure the wireless side of things is by default, but would suggest you ensure that:

1. SSID broadcast is switched off once everything is working. This stops people seeing your network in their list of available networks.

2. Enable encryption to "scramble" data going between the laptops and the router.

3. Enable MAC address filtering so only your own devices are allowed to connect.

I can explain any/all of the above as and when the time comes if you need me to.

HTH,
Dave.

 

[confused]

Double check your pc make sure it doesnt have onbard lan, as mentioned, a PCI card will cost you about a fiver, this will probably be based on the realtek 8139 chipset. Not as easy to "fit" as a usb device but would definately be my choice if the physical location of the pc in question)
I had a look at the link posted above, the spec of that router seems decent, that said, it may (will) have features that you will never use such as VLAn and VPN (I'm dubious actually about the performance of these features on a device in this price range but I have never used one so wont comment)
Disabling the SSID is a good idea, all your machines are running XP so I would use at least 128 bit WPA - deinately not WEP. Mac address filtering is also a good idea in some cases, I wouldnt have said it necessary in your case but it wont harm.
You also need to disable WAN access to the router (probably disabled by default) and put a password on it.

As you can see, you already have 2 similar but not 100% identical suggestions, there are lots of ways to do things, some right, some right-ish and some totally wrong, get your equipment, and have a go, then post back if you either get stuck or want more advice.
When setting up initially, use a pc with a hard wired connection, then setup the wireless without security initially and one laptop, then the next, and so on.

CALV

 

[Coding Monkey]

Setting up a wireless network? Oh, it's as easy as replying to a PM

 

[KM-Tiger]

3. Enable MAC address filtering so only your own devices are allowed to connect.

I'd second Draytek, their routers are excellent, if a little expensive. You rarely hear much about them, as they give virtually no problems.

MAC address filtering is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. MAC addresses are passed in plain text and can be read and spoofed. As confused has already pointed out encryption, preferably WPA, is the only way to properly secure the connection.

 

[Urban Space]

Networking's not too bad! I saved myself 70 quid through fiddling around with it myself instead! How can people charge 70 quid to stick some wires in?

Have a bash yourself!

Liam

 

[confused]

who charges £70 ? I wouldnt !
as for "networkings not too bad", the average home network, with the advent of windows XP is indeed much simpler than it used to be, however I think you use the term a little loosly. my idea of a network is usually more than a couple of windows XP systems "joined together"

CALV

 

[Urban Space]

I know! It's rediculous! It took me a while to do, having to sort out all the files and folder access and stuff, but I wouldn't pay £70 to have it done! It's all part of the experience!

Liam

 

[confused]

just be careful, I know I keep saying this, but security is very important, even local security, even for a home network, if you just create open shares on your drives or filders its asking for trouble, not necessarily from external intruders, but kids tend to play too !

CALV

 

[Urban Space]

Yea, I'm not that bad lol! I know not to share the drive root :lol!

Liam