Setting up home wireless network
 

So, I'm taking the plunge and have ordered cable internet service.

I bought a cable modem and wireless router at Best Buy. The router is a Netgear WGR614.

My reading of the set-up material is that I need to have one computer conected to calbe modem and then to the router by ethernet cable. Is this so for all wireless routers?

I had envisioned having the cable modem connected by cable to the router, and then that the router would broadcast to all three computers in the household. Can this be done with some routers?

Thanks for any help.

Best wishes,

Teacher49

I have a Siemens router and the setup is as you describe above with cable modem connected to the router by cable and the router then broadcasting to all wireless computers (as well as a couple of computers wired to the same router).

Exactly. Your new wireless router should have at least 2 or 3 "wired" jacks in the back to connect to PC's that are sitting in close proximity. Even those can be done wirelessly, your option (but then of course you'd need to have a wireless card or adaptor for each PC accessing the router wirelessly)

incoming cable
|
! coax cable
|
cable modem
|
| ethernet cable
|
wan port \
---------WGR614 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz wireless computers
Lan ports /
| | |
wired computers (if any)


You do need to connect a notebook or another computer to a LAN port on the router to configure it initially. You can't do that using wireless. The instructions are pretty clear. You just connect to it using your web browser and typing in http://192.168.0.1 which is the default IP address for the LAN side of the router.

The router has a 'wizard' interface (via the web browser) which is usually good enough for configuring it. If you need to choose a WEP key for your wireless encryption, there's an online wep key generator that you can use to generate a random key: http://www.andrewscompanies.com/tools/wep.asp

You'll need to record the WEP key somewhere and use it on the router's wireless configuration page and on each computer with a wireless interface. A USB flash drive comes in handy for that.

Don't forget to change the default password on your router.

-David

Thanks, all, for the confirmation. I was hoping it was just for set-up, but that was not clear. The difference to me is that I want to put the router on the middle floor of a 3 floor house - two computers on the lower floor and one on the upper, but no computer on the middle floor itself.

David, I will keep your post handy for the tips on WEP and as a reminder to change the password.

Best wishes,

Teacher49

Newer wireless routers should support the more secure WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). Use that instead of WEP.

Also, change the network name (SSID) to something incomprehensible (I just use a random sequence of letters and numbers) and set the router so that it does not broadcast the SSID. This makes it more difficult for outsiders to find your network, but comes at the cost of you having to manually enter the SSID on your other computers which you will connect wirelessly to your network (though you'd only need to do this the first time).

One last point, remember to change your WEP/WPA passkey, SSID, and Administrator password periodically. (I should follow my own advice!)

FewMiles..

SSID broadcasting can't be turned off on some models, so you might also consider restricting the network to certain MAP addresses you have selected.

FWIW, we have our wireless router in the basement and have no problems connecting all over the house, even at the other end of the building. I guess ideally you would place it in the attic, but the reality is that you might be very happy with a down-and-dirty installation in your basement right beside your circuit breaker box (where there is probably also a couple of power outlets).

Good luck.
Rita

The best physical location of the wireless gateway changes depending on what kind of antenna it has. Different antennas have differently shaped areas of space that they cover. The type of antenna on the box that you purchased looks like it transmits a signal up and around it, and not so much down. So, if you put it in the basement, it would give you good coverage for the 3 levels. If you put it on the middle level you would probably want to have the antenna parallel to the floor to get good coverage both above and below, and if you put it on the top level, you'll probably want to have the antenna pointing down.

These links might be helpful:

http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101318.asp
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials...le.php/1144391

The connection is only needed for setup. You may find that the coverage you get is pretty decent no matter where in the house you locate the router. I much prefer having one machine wired to it this way you can set it up and change settings much easier then if you disable all the wireless connections or whatever by mistake.

I love my wireless network. I've had to switch channels a couple of times because I was getting some interference from other networks in the neighbourhood. I work from my home office half time and I love sitting out on the deck and working. Unfortunately, that's not often enough in this neck of the woods. :)

nice fast easy security
 

this is a nice and fast easy security. MAC address spoofing is certainly possible, but most people will move on.

This also keeps speed at max, WIFI WPA will slow things down a bit.

remember though, there are differance between ACCESS And ENCRYPTION. MAC address filtering just keeps people OFF your network and usually then OFF our WAN and LAN. Good stuff,

ENCRYPTION scrambles the data traveling THROUGH THE AIR and thus makes it more difficult for anyone to SEE what you are trafficing (passwords, email, etc) and keeps your data secure.

So, if ACCESS restriction is paramount, then MAC address filtering is fine, simple and fast.

If DATA INTEGRITY is paramount, then you have to go WPA or some other airborne security and encryption route

You're welcome :)

My router is in an inaccessable location. (That's where the prior owner had it, and that's where I put mine.) I have nothing hardwired to it either.

-David

I actually used to just not broadcast the SSID as my only security, which worked fine until a couple of guests were unable to connect to the network without having it broadcast.

So, now I broadcast it, but turned on MAC address filtering.

By no means flawless, but it's not like they couldn't get all my porn online themselves anyway. :)

You've got yourself a very good router ! I had a couple of older routers but recently bought the WGR614v4. This one is much better that the previous. It is far more stable and the transmision speed looks better. you only need to attach a computer (by wire) for the router's setup process and to change any settings afterwards. After the extremely easy set-up process you can have ALL your computers wireless.
Just one recommendation: check from time to time for firmware upgrades for the router.
Enjoy !
Nick :cool: