Wireless Router Questions

Jason1 · 05-29-2005, 11:30 AM

Im thinking about getting my brother a wireless router for the impending release on online enables NDS games. I saw this deal for a Linksys one in today's Best Buy ad for only $4.99, after mail in rebates. its is 802.11B.

I believe this is a link to it: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051384294158

Sounds too good to be true, so I wonder, what is better with ones that are 802.11G? Another little quesion, will I have to be constantly switching the ethernet cord from the router back to my computer when I want to play DS games and go back to going online on my PC? Also, will this affect my internet speed on my PC at all? I could of course go with one a little more expensive, would this one be any better?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1069299971409

It would only be 20 bucks after the rebates, so If it would actually be better Id of course be willing to spend more. So if someone could clear this up a bit for me, that would be great thanks.

Teuthida · 05-29-2005, 01:09 PM

I have that Linksys 802.11B one. 802.11G depends on your current type of connection. As of now I doubt G would be very useful. Maybe in a few years. You wouldn't need to switch any cords around to play DS. The router would pick up that a wireless device is using the connection. No idea if it would slow down your speed. Highly doubt it though.

gekko · 05-29-2005, 01:11 PM

802.11b runs at 11Mbps. 802.11g was the new standard, fully backwards compatible with 802.11b, and runs at 54Mbps.

As for switching ethernet cables, no, that defeats the purpose of having a router. A router splits your internet connection between multiple devices. It will have 4 ports on the back, an uplink port, and a WAN port (though, the new Linksys 802.11g one I bought didn't have an uplink port anymore).

Uplink is used when you want no networking done at all. So if you connected it to your modem, your modem would read that you have say 3 computers hooked up to it. It's good when you're connecting to another device, if you have multiple routers and hubs. It also disables port 1.

WAN is what you're looking for. Connect the WAN port to your modem. Connect all your devices to 1-4, as well as setup the wireless network, and you'll be set. Everything will be on a LAN, and everything will have access to the internet at the same time.

My recommendation? Get the 802.11g since it is faster. Will you need 54Mbps online though? Of course not. But I have no experience with D-Link, so personally, I'd buy the Wireless B. Another option, get the 802.11b for right now, $5 is change, and wait for the prices to drop and then buy one that support 802.11a/b/g. 802.11a is still 54Mbps, but operates at 5.0Ghz instead of 2.4Ghz so the signal is a little better. That way you have better support for future devices, such as the wireless adapter for Xbox 360 which supports a/b/g, any laptops you buy (Think Different), and who knows what Nintendo and Sony will use.

P.S. - If you get the LinkSys, don't install any of their software, despite what they may want to convince you, it's not necessary (they don't even make it for Mac). Open your web browser, go to http://192.168.1.1 user: *blank* pass: admin and go from there.

Jason1 · 05-29-2005, 01:36 PM

Cool, sounds easy enough. I think I'll go ahead and get that linksys one and go from there.

Null · 05-29-2005, 03:00 PM

hmm. 802.11g is in the best buy sale ad for 49.99

Happydude · 05-29-2005, 06:34 PM

i got 2 of those D-Link ones, and i couldn't be happier

we got 2 ISPs and have 5 PCs at home and a laptop, so we needed 2 routers...they work great and no speed difference between having an ethernet cable and a wireless connection...at least no noticable difference.

i've always used D-Link (about 4 years) and have never had a problem...so i would personally recommend the D-Link and since it's a G you won't need to buy another one for a long time.

Crash · 06-02-2005, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danchastu

I have that Linksys 802.11B one. 802.11G depends on your current type of connection. As of now I doubt G would be very useful. Maybe in a few years. You wouldn't need to switch any cords around to play DS. The router would pick up that a wireless device is using the connection. No idea if it would slow down your speed. Highly doubt it though.

since I believe no one has a connection that runs 11Mbps.... a G router is overkill unless you are linking 2 or more computers together

get the $5.00 router

Null · 06-02-2005, 09:10 AM

yes, if you recently got a head injury and your brain no longer functions, get a $5.00 router.

where was a 5 $ one ever mentioned anyway?

Jason1 · 06-02-2005, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Null

yes, if you recently got a head injury and your brain no longer functions, get a $5.00 router.

where was a 5 $ one ever mentioned anyway?

In my initial post, first thing. Normally 60 bucks, but 55 bucks worth of mail in rebates. And yes, thats the one I ended up getting. I probably wont set it up until DS goes online, no real point in it.

Null · 06-02-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason1

In my initial post, first thing. Normally 60 bucks, but 55 bucks worth of mail in rebates. And yes, thats the one I ended up getting. I probably wont set it up until DS goes online, no real point in it.

ahhhh ok. sorry then crash

i dont really consider that a 5 dollar one tho. hehe.

i'd of still went with a g one tho, but that could be because i hate rebates, half the time they dont work, and the other half it takes a year to actually get the money.

The router should work out well for ya tho.

Jason1 · 06-02-2005, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Null

ahhhh ok. sorry then crash

i dont really consider that a 5 dollar one tho. hehe.

i'd of still went with a g one tho, but that could be because i hate rebates, half the time they dont work, and the other half it takes a year to actually get the money.

The router should work out well for ya tho.

Every time Ive used rebates theyve worked...I mean yea sometimes its a few weeks before you get the money back, but ive never had an advirtised rebate actually NOT work....

Null · 06-02-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason1

Every time Ive used rebates theyve worked...I mean yea sometimes its a few weeks before you get the money back, but ive never had an advirtised rebate actually NOT work....

i've gotten some that have been really good. and gotten them in a few weeks.
others like best buy, i've actually got one back over a year later. i had no idea what it was for at first. and to read thro it.

then theres been 1, i had for a virus program, and it said mail in the front cover of an old version for proof. so i did that. i got a letter back saying they couldnt do it cuz i didnt enclude my email (which they did NOT ask for on the rebate itself) so i said fine, gave em the email. i got another letter back saying they need proof of a previous copy..... When i already mailed them the front cover of an old version!
so i snaped the CD in half, put it in the letter and mailed it to em.

havnt heard anything from them again oddly..... hrm...

MasterMind · 06-02-2005, 06:31 PM

Like someone else mentioned, if you plan on doing any wireless networking between computers, I would suggest the 802.11g. Otherwise the b would suffice for just internet connection.

And rebates have always worked for me as well.