Router Question

[desaw]

Hello,
I'm thinking of buying a wireless router...

Does the PC require some kind of receiver?
If it does, how does it connect, USB?
Does it come with the wireless router I buy, because none of the pics show receiving devices, just the router and an RJ-45 cable.

Thanks.

 

[ProcalX]

A wireless Router does not require you to have it connected to your computer for power.

You will receive:
The Wireless Router
Software
Power Cable

You merely plug the Power cable into the Wireless Router, and its on :)

I have one myself, this is how mine is set up and used:

I have my Wireless router in my bedroom, all Normal computers in the house (mine, my brothers, sisters, dads, & servers) all connect to the Wireless Router via Cat5E (network cable).

So the Wireless Router is exactly the same as the a normal Switching Hub (network hub) for connecting computers together using network cable, however i use the Wireless part of the "Wireless Router" for use with 2 Laptops (which means my father & myself can work or use are laptops anywhere in the building without network cables).

All you'll need to do is connect your Wireless Router to it's power cable so it's turned on, & read the manual.

Basically the router will connect all computers/laptops together in one network whether they are connected via network cable or Wirelessly, you'll need to read the manual because the Wireless Router will come with an Admin panel, which you can access using your web browser, just read the manual and it will explain :)

 

[matttibb]

Thanks Procal, that's quite helpful as i'm considering buying one so my mum and step-dad don't keep using my computer to go online and can use there own! So if i got a wireless router could I have my computer, my step-dad's computer and my mum's laptop online without using any cables? (Maybe cables for one of the computers wouldn't matter) Cheers, Matt

 

[desaw]

Thanks for all the information!
But, Im still having problems understanding how the PC will recognize the wireless router if there is no physical wire connecting the PC to the wireless router.

An example is my wireless mouse and keyboard. They require a receiver that I plug into a USB slot on my motherboard. Is there a receiver that must be plugged into the PC so the wireless router can communicate with the PC?

Thanks again.

 

[Fred]

Yes, you will need a wireless networking card in your pc in order to "see" the wireless router. Just make sure they are compatible.

 

[matttibb]

Surely the card would come with the router?

 

[desaw]

By compatible you mean; if the router is 802.11g, then the wireless NIC card in my PC must use 802.11g?

 

[Anti-Trend]

No, any 802.11 will be backwards compatible. It's just that if you are using a card which has a slower throughput than your router, you won't get the full potential out of your connection. Then again, you rarely do with wireless anyway. :p

 

[Big B]

Surely the card would come with the router?

Nope. There are some basic home networking kits that come with a couple of cards and the router/switch, but most of the time, it's the router and power adapter and manual.