Wired and Wireless together?

[TwoRails]

Hi All,

Helping someone via email. He is connected thru DSL hard wired to his desktop. He just purchased a new laptop that is setup as wireless. He also has a router from a previous two desktop hookup.
The question is: what is needed to use his laptop in a wireless config? Does he need to get a new modem and or router and change his desktop to wireless, or can he simply just get one adaptor to go into his hard wired router that will work with his laptop, leaving his desktop hardwired?

TIA

[Byte 2.0]

He could replace his router with a wireless model. Most wireless routers can 4 wired ports, plus wireless.

find how what DSL modem he is using, as long as it is ethernet, any wireless router should work.

[darkside]

if hes got a wirred router then hes going to need a new wireless/wired one + the wireless card to go in his laptop.

im not aware of any adapters that can be plugged into a wired roter to make it wireless but i could be wrong.

[Byte 2.0]

im not aware of any adapters that can be plugged into a wired roter to make it wireless but i could be wrong.

They do make wireless access points that can be connected to a wired router, however they are not cost effective for a small home network as they cost as much or more then a 4 port wireless router.

They are in my opinion only cost effective if you have a large 8 or 16 port router and need to add wireless.

[TwoRails]

OK, just to make sure I follow:

The adaptor idea is out and a new wireless router should support his exiting wired desktop and the wireless laptop (which has the ".g" standard I believe).

I'll find out what DSL modem he has and report back; all I know is it's thru Verizon.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by TwoRails I'll find out what DSL modem he has and report back; all I know is it's thru Verizon.

It's probably a Westell ethernet-compatible model, then, from what I've seen of Verizon modems. Best Buy has a Netgear 802.11g router on sale this week for $20 after rebates -- it's not the best deal I've seen on a router, but it's a good deal nonetheless. When you are (or he is) setting the router up, make sure you turn on WPA, because that would be the best method of security in this instance.

[darkside]

is verizon a cable company or something? (scuse my n00bness im stroight outta the UK)

most of the routers ive seen come with build in dsl modems anyway like my netgear dg834g, i recomend this one by the way, has wireless & wired functionality and has a nice setup on it, ive used linksys and there just not as good imo

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by darkside is verizon a cable company or something? (scuse my n00bness im stroight outta the UK)

It was originally a phone company (first called Bell Atlantic and spun off from AT&T when their monopoly was broken up in 1983), but now also provides cell phone service, DSL and a number of other services.

[TwoRails]

He just emailed me with the model info:

"westell model #C90-36R516-01 REV E"

[glc]

That's a straight bridge Ethernet modem - so any wireless router will work fine. I recommend a Linksys WRT54G. He will need to uninstall the Verizon connection software and set up the router for PPPoE.

Darkside - things are a bit different in the UK than here - you people have broadband companies that insist on providing USB-only modems, so you have a big market for combo modem/routers. Here, most companies provide Ethernet or dual mode modems, so they can be connected to a standalone "universal" router with an Ethernet input.

[TwoRails]

Thanks for all the help, everyone -- Just found out he picked up a D-link unit on sale for $30 after rebates. I have no idea at this time when he'll get around to installing it...