routers

[_paralyzed_]

so I need a router to get me back up and online. I need one ethernet out (desktop pc) and one wireless out (laptop). I have comcast cable DSL.

Anything I should know?
Are the cheap flea-bay ones just as good as say a linksys?
Anyone have one for sale?
Will this replace my cable modem, or work inline with it?

As always, any help is appreciated. My time online is still very limited, so I will check and reply to this thread as much as I can. Peace.

[Arct1k]

$40 free shipping

Work inline with cable router..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833122016

[PedeBasher]

That Netgear is very nice. I run all 6 of my Macs on it and it nearly never fails. Very much worth the money.

[BrianG]

I tend to like Linksys stuff as they are made by Cisco, which is a leading company for business network devices. I have an older version of this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124010

It has an access point for wireless and 4 ports for 10/100 ethernet jacks, similar to the netgear model that Arct1k posted.

Whatever you get, be sure to change the default password! You wouldn't believe how many people don't change that and are easily hackable. And, activate WEP at the very least on your access point. And activate MAC address filtering.

I personally have two routers, one wired and one wireless. The wired one has a more robust router function, while the wireless has, well, wireless capability. So, the wired router handles the hardware firewall/router/switch functions, while the wireless one has DHCP disabled and functions just as a wired switch/WAP. So, I have 7 wired ports and WAP (one port is used for uplink).

[Arct1k]

Hide your SSID to and set to only if you can...

As soon as you have a B device on your network everything runs at that speed.

[BrianG]

Even if you "hide" your SSID, hackers can still get it. Just takes a minute longer.

[Arct1k]

Ahh but in that minute I can load my shotgun... ;)

It would stop me driving by your house with my ipod in search of a free internet connection.

[BrianG]

TBH, the only reason why I run wireless is because we're not sure where my son's PC is gonna stay, so it's hooked to a USB wireless device until we know where it's gonna be. To be safe, it's best to just shut the WAP off.

[_paralyzed_]

I can't just plug it in and hit a button?

I'll try to do everything you guys said. It's over my head. I'm not computer smart. I'll have the comcast guy walk me through it. They'll answer any tech question as long as you start with, "I have comcast and......." Of course that's after half an hour on hold, but that's what speakerphone is for.

[rawfuls]

Man, this is funny.

My brother bought a Belkin after he fried a router, when he plugged in the modem's power plug into the Linksys router, instead of the correct power...
We were offline for 2 days.

http://www.betterbuyelectronics.com/...lusrouter.aspx

Works really well, any Router will work, but if you're using wireless, you'll need to protect your wireless with a password :P

[TDC57]

For what it worth Sir..

I have Blekin and love it!, it actually works for just about everyone on my whole block.. My neighbors love it (so they tell me!)

Glad to see / hear your back on line Harold.. We missed you!..

[jayjay283]

I have the Belkin also with the 2 antennas and the 4 ports. I have a larger WIFI hot spot than Starbucks, the kids from the neighborhood can use it with their PSPs and Ipods from 2 houses down. My nephews sit in the backyard on their Ipods playing games and surfing the net, couldnt figure out why I lagged so bad till one of them told me those new Ipods have internet wifi capability. I thought it was just an MP3 player with video. Now I have to turn the WIFI off all the time so they dont stay up all night surfing porn.

[BrianG]

I tried to place my WAP where I could get decent access speed (at least as high as my Net connection supports, so ~1Gb/sec) with the least amount of range outside the house. So, it sits in my basement pretty much dead center of the house. Range extends a little beyong the short dimension of the house, but only ~20 feet. I also had to fiddle with the antennas to help keep the usable range in the house as much as possible. This means the antennas are sitting horizontally so more of the range goes "up" than "outwards". All I have to do now is keep potential hackers out of my attic and off my roof.

Then, to keep people honest, I enable WEP and use MAC address filtering. Both of these can be hacked through, but that won't be your typical weekend surfer, but usually someone who is trying to do something malicious. The only downside to MAC address filtering is having to log into your WAP, viewing the list of in-range devices, and allowing applicabale devices.

The first thing EVERYONE should do is change the default password on their router. It's amazing how many people don't do this. Then, there are guides out there (or even the CS for your router/WAP) that explain how to make your network more secure.

Next, EVERY computer should be running antivirus software and spyware/adware software, and each should be actively running (not running only when the user decides to do so). Then, everyone should run a decent firewall. The one that comes with WinXP works, but barely. A better one should be used IMO. These three items are bare minimum IMO to help keep crap off your computer.

And for you MAC/Linux fanboys: Yeah, you don't have to worry about some of this... for now. It's only a matter of time your OS is targeted as much as Win OS's are.

[TDC57]

Originally Posted by jayjay283

I have the Belkin also with the 2 antennas and the 4 ports. I have a larger WIFI hot spot than Starbucks, the kids from the neighborhood can use it with their PSPs and Ipods from 2 houses down. My nephews sit in the backyard on their Ipods playing games and surfing the net, couldnt figure out why I lagged so bad till one of them told me those new Ipods have internet wifi capability. I thought it was just an MP3 player with video. Now I have to turn the WIFI off all the time so they dont stay up all night surfing porn.

Sounds like we have the same on Jay..

Does your look like this ??

[jayjay283]

Yup, Thats my free neighborhood wifi offering system. Works great with my PS3 lol

$40 for comcast
$60 for Router
Neighborhood kids sitting on the lawn Playing video games off my WIFI = Priceless