Wi-Fi Modem

[Guest Killian]

I've just ordered an SP5 off of phones2udirect and it looks like I could be waiting a while before I actually receive it so thought I'd start looking into Wireless modems. At the moment I have to use a really long ethernet connection to connect my pc to my broadband modem downstairs. Beings as the SP5 has Wi-Fi I thought it would be a good idea to get a wireless modem and install a card in the PC so I don't have this stupidly long wire running all through the house, plus I can check my mail on the phone meaning I can laze around even more!

Anyone know a good modem to get, one that works well plus will be good for my SP5?

Any advice would be great.

Cheers

[Guest rsearley]

It sounds as though you have a broadband router if you are using a network cable..

so you could just purchase a Wireless Access Point and plug that into the router

i use a Lynksys WAP54G even thgough the SP5 is only 802.11b not G it works fine, and allows me to use the pc at 54mbps

the router supports both WPA and WEP encryption, and was fairly cheap

your next option is to get a wireless router, i like the vigor range as it has a good firewall, anti-dos attack protection, and also has inbuilt vpn if needed, not cheap, but very good

But there are plenty of cheaper devices on the market, and most should be suitable

I've just ordered an SP5 off of phones2udirect and it looks like I could be waiting a while before I actually receive it so thought I'd start looking into Wireless modems.  At the moment I have to use a really long ethernet connection to connect my pc to my broadband modem downstairs.  Beings as the SP5 has Wi-Fi I thought it would be a good idea to get a wireless modem and install a card in the PC so I don't have this stupidly long wire running all through the house, plus I can check my mail on the phone meaning I can laze around even more!

Anyone know a good modem to get, one that works well plus will be good for my SP5?

Any advice would be great.

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Guest Killian]

Thanks for the info, I have no idea what all the encryption means though. I think my main concern is if I get a Wireless connection, will it slow down my internet or does it still browse at the same speed?

As for having a router, I don't think it is but I could be wrong. Maybe its not an ethernet lead that I have, it could be a cross over cable. I'm pretty sure its a modem though.

Hope you can help again, I don't know much about how a computer works, I just know how to find my way around on one! Thanks for the help anyway

Dan

[Guest Killian]

Hasn't anybody else got a Wi-Fi connection who can lend some advice? I don't want to just hit the highstreets with no clue as to what I'm looking for :cry:

Your help will be appreciated guys!!!!!!

[Guest Kallisti]

Hasn't anybody else got a Wi-Fi connection who can lend some advice? I don't want to just hit the highstreets with no clue as to what I'm looking for  :cry:

Your help will be appreciated guys!!!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd just go to ebay and find the cheapest wireless access point that I could and plug it in. Probably a netgear. They're not great, but they usually work. Or maybe 'often' :) In these circumstances, should be OK though.

[Guest kam_]

I'm asuming you have ADSL..

Some basic things..

There's 2 main frequencies in use. 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz. There is less interferance on 5Ghz, but the equipment is more expensive. The 3 types are as folows:

802.11a - (5Ghz) max speed 54mbits

802.11b - (2.4Ghz) max speed 11mbits

802.11g - (2.4Ghz) max speed 54 mbits (but some routers use 2 channels and advertise 108mbits.. more later)

5Ghz has less interferance but isn't an option for you because the SP5/8310 only works with 802.11b. So be careful and don't buy an 802.11a only router!

The newer routers do a, b and g, so you can use b for your phone and a or g for your PC to get the faster speed. But again they will be expensive compared to buying a 802.11b from ebay.

BUT before you get carried away with the speed remember your internet is probably only 512 kbps (1/2 mbit) or maybe 8mbit if you're on bulldog or something. So even with 11mbit wireless you won't see any improvement at all.

The only time it would be worth it is if you had a network at home and wanted to transfer stuff between PCs on the network.

I really don't suggest bothering with the 108mbit routers, they need the same brand cards, and there is often too much interferance to use both channels properly anyway.

Next about encryption. There are 2 common types you'll see.

WEP: The older standard, which comes in 64bit and 128bit(stronger). This has been shown to be weak and pretty easy to break. So i suggest you stay away from WEP only routers if you can.

(For those interested, it uses a flaw introduced by the developers modifying the standard MD5 and breaking it! It requires 5 mins to 2 hours of traffic from the target system to break)

WPA: This is newer and hasn't be shown to be breakable. For this you use a text 'password'. Make sure its something long and hard to guess!

(For those interested, WPA can be brute forced by capturing a single packet. This makes it more suseptable to offline dictionary attacks. Its even more vital that you don't use a short or guesable word)

Why should you care about encryption? Well if you don't someone could sit outside your house and use your wireless for free. Your neihbours could too.

Whats worse tho is that typically firewalls don't block your local subnet. In english, that means that the person using your wireless could quite easily get into your computer.

Some people say oh i lock to the MAC address - in english they lock the wireless to the serial number of the wireless card on your PC or phone. So only the serial numbers u put in the list are allowed. This does prevent someone from using your internet, but it doesnt prevent someone from capturing your network traffic and with it any passwords you may be typing!

Next.. do you want a adsl wireless router or an access point?

It depends! Your modem may have a USB connection or a Ethernet one:

If its USB then go for the ADSL Wireless Router, with a wireless card for you PC.

Basically you'll be replacing the modem you have.

If it's ethernet, you can get an (wireless) access point. The modem will plug into the (wireless) access point.

But these days access points are getting rarer. There are so many more ADSL wireless routers out there you may find one of those cheaper than the access point alone!

Bottom Line:

Your modem is USB?

Get a Wireless ADSL router that supports 802.11b and WPA encryption

Also get a wireless card for your PC which support 802.11b and WPA encryption

Your modem is Ethernet?

Buy a Wireless Access point that supports 802.11b and WPA encryption

Also get a wireless card for your PC which support 802.11b and WPA encryption

BUT you may want to just get the ADSL router if it works out cheaper.

[Guest Killian]

Now thats what I'm talking about!!!!!

Thanks for that Kam, I think I actually understand it now. I prefer the idea of replacing the modem, an access point sounds good but if its going to cost more then theres no real point to it is there........... Its christmas so I'm kinda a little skint!

I use an ethernet to connect to the pc, but I know the modem does support a USB connection aswell. I don't know if it means anything but the wire that comes from outside into the modem is a big thick white one and then there are two other open slots, the USB connection and an ethernet one.

I'm going to go for the ADSL router I think, will have a look on ebay to see how much there going for.

Thanks again Kam

Edited December 17, 2005 by Killian

[Guest Alex_le_brit]

Killian, one thing you might want to check, and that's your ISP's latest offers, as sometimes you can find they'll happily sell or rent you a wireless ADSL router.

I'm currently with Wanadoo in France, and for a measly £2 equivalent per month I get what they call a Livebox, basically an ADSL wireless router thingy (sorry I'm not so good on the techinical side. Now OK eventually I'm probably going to be shelling out more for the thing than if I'd bought one on e-bay, but it does mean I get tech support and a guaranteed 24 hr replacement service and a slightly gormless bloke on the end of a telephone hotline in case anything goes pear shaped.

Oh and the current French ones also have a bluetooth connection (I'll work out a use for that one day) and sundry things for VOIP telephony using a standard telephone handset etc.

Well worth a look and the great advantage is that if you tell the person what you want it for and it doesn't work, you can then send it back and not pay a penny (well here you can anyway)

[Guest Killian]

Got a little problem.............. I've been doing a little research on all the information you gave me and I hit a dead end............ I don't have ADSL......... I have cable!!!!

Its a 1mb connection, as its not ADSL does any of the info you gave still have relevance? If you could get back to me then that would be great, just got to try and find another way around I spose :)

Tis the season to be jolly

:cry: