Hey I guys I have a question that I'm not too sure how I would word to google. What I'm looking for is kind of like a wireless router that you could connect directly to a cable modem without the need of a regular computer. So essentially I could plug the ethernet cord from the modem directly into the router which could then broadcast a wireless signal that a laptop could pick up to connect to the internet. I obviously don't have too much experience networking (outside of a few basic Linksys routers) so this may be a pretty stupid question but does a device like this exist (I'm sure it does)? If so, do you guys have any specific recommendations?

10/4/2007 7:16:36 PM

Quote :

"What I'm looking for is kind of like a wireless router that you could connect directly to a cable modem without the need of a regular computer."

huh? isn't that how all wireless routers work?

10/4/2007 7:27:10 PM

I was for some reason under the impression that most of them have to be connected to some kind of base computer to configure? I guess that was just the one or two that I have messed with.

[Edited on October 4, 2007 at 7:30 PM. Reason : ]

10/4/2007 7:29:50 PM

i'm no networking expert but you should be able to configure the router with any computer (laptop or desktop), just install the software

the router isn't connected to any machine, just the modem, hence it being a 'wireless' router

10/4/2007 7:31:57 PM

and this kid is an AE grad

watch out NASA, better not let anyone on anything this kid designs

10/4/2007 7:37:46 PM

do space shuttles have power cords?

10/4/2007 7:46:07 PM

^^Well since you are obviously an expert in aerospace engineering and what we do at NASA, perhaps you would care to enlighten me as to what wireless routers have to do with aerodynamics, aerospace vehicle structures, or any type of stability or control. I told you that I don't have much experience using routers, things that may seem trivial to you aren't to everyone else. I'm sure that if you had a question about boundary layers or laminar flow, you would ask someone. There is no need to be a dickhead.

[Edited on October 4, 2007 at 8:07 PM. Reason : ]

10/4/2007 8:07:47 PM

any wireless router will do this as far as i've seen

to configure these routers wirelessly you need to look in the manual and find the address it gives you and put that into your browser (http://192.82.0.0 or some generic linksysrouterconfig.com). this lets you put in the password and all the normal stuff. before config it'll come up as a default wireless router with no security when you search for networks.

10/4/2007 8:36:07 PM

i'm sure what he means is have a little bit of common sense.

10/4/2007 9:54:15 PM

^ bingo

what does a wireless router do?

it routes packets or info wirelessly to clients...what there makes you think that you need a wired client?

[Edited on October 4, 2007 at 10:32 PM. Reason : 

10/4/2007 10:17:02 PM

Any off-the-shelf wireless router will do. You can go get yourself a Belkin, Linksys, D-Link...whatever, they're all the same. No software to install, though many come with some crap, you just plug your cable modem into the WAN port on the back, power cycle it, connect to the AP wirelessly, and that's usually it. If you want to connect physical links, they all come with 4+ port switches on the back too.

If you want security or to change SSID, settings, etc., you can go into your browser once you're connected and put in the router's private IP - this is different for each one, but it's detailed in the user's manual.

10/5/2007 12:36:28 PM

Wraith, you can configure the wireless router from the Laptop, just as you have done in the past from a desktop.

generally the IP address is 192.168.1.1, and you use the default password to access.

the only problem is, once you set encryption (WEP, WPA, or whatever) on the router, your laptop will no longer be able to access configuration until you set the key correctly on your Laptop wireless settings.

if you get completely locked out, just do a hard reset of the router (typically a tiny button on the back somewhere) and clear all the settings on your laptop.

and yes, Afficionado is being an asshole. Ive known EE's (in the civil power distribution arena) who didnt know much about wireless networking. so fuck him.

10/5/2007 1:17:34 PM

^had the same problem, if the security key between the wireless connection and whatever computer you're setting up isnt the same, wrong, doesnt work, etc. you get locked out. Best to set up the wireless software information and key system hardwired with just an ethernet cord to the computer. Unplug the cord, check wireless status, nogo, plug cord back in, figure out some more, repeat till it works. If its unsecured you're usually good from the get-go and just plug the router into the modem, but then you get random people using your wireless internet looking at pr0n and cheez doodles.

10/5/2007 2:02:12 PM

just use the laptop hardwired to configure the wireless router. Once u configure your router, unplug the ethernet cable from the laptop, enable the wireless card on the notebook and connect to the router and enter your info. Just make sure if you create a passphrase or key, copy that part to a text file on your laptop so you can copy/paste into your wireless card settings. No point in doing a hard reset cause you can still connect to the router using a cable.

10/5/2007 2:30:37 PM

for what it's worth, wait until a buffalo router goes on sale at circuit city for $25 (or $30 for the high-power version), flash with tomato, and you'll be golden

10/5/2007 2:32:12 PM

seriously, buy this: http://tinyurl.com/37l73o

10/6/2007 8:38:06 PM

Quote :

"affiliateid=k9470"

hahahaha gg

10/6/2007 8:41:41 PM

oops...ben's bargains link

10/6/2007 9:37:17 PM