Hey all. I maybe moving house soon and it will be time to setup a small network for two computers. One will use wireless and the other Ethernet (Ethernet one will be used for gamming wow and other games). I am with Virgin Media and intend to stay with them. For this it would be great to get some useful help on the best cable routers. I can find lots of information on ADSL routers but not cable. Computer Shopper had a labs test this month on routers but yet again they where all ADSL. I know Virgin will probably supply there own but I have no idea how good that is and would rather go with one thats known to be very good. Any suggestions/links would be great. On another note. I have never set up a small network and have a few questions. Im presuming the main Ethernet cable that comes from the Virgin Modem then goes into the cable router. Then the router is rdy for wi fi.. If I want a hard connection to my pc I will need a smaller Ethernet cable to go from the router to my PC. Does anyone have links to a decent supplier of Ethernet cables that are rdy to connect from router to PC?. Finally, will the hardwired connection perform as well as a connection going straight from the modem into the ethernet slot on my pc. Im guessing yes but thought Id ask. Any advice and links would be great. Also info on if the routers are easy to set up etc. I am using Windows Vista Lee
Sounds like you dont know an awful lot about networks - even the basics. If i was you id just stick with the one supplied by virgin as you dont strike me as someone who needs anything other than access to the internet. hell i have the virgin one as my network is only my PC and my girlfriends so dont really need anything else. Its not the best router but it certainly does the job for avg joe bloggs. The reason you wont find cable routers is because technically they dont exist. Its just called a router. ADSL routers are simply normal routers with an in-built ADSL modem. The Cable modem connects to the router on the "WAN" port and all other devices connect on "LAN" ports usually 1-4 or over Wi-fi. As for cables they will usually i know i did receive 1 with the modem and 1 with the router this allows 1 device to be hardwired. The router will need configuring for Wi-fi and its best to use the disc thats supplied if your unfamiliar with manually setting up a router. It will take you through all the stuff you need including setting up wi-fi and security. The hardwired connection will perform the same as plugging directly into the modem in real terms.
Adding to Adams post, setting up this kind of network is relatively easy but can be a bit confusing if you have little knowledge. We all started somewhere and this is a good network to learn from. I run exactly this network, I have a cable modem supplied by virgin media, that is plugged into a router via a short ethenet cable. The router does both wifi and wired routing, so I knocked up three cables using a crimper, cable and plugs bought from tlc, google cat5 pinout to workout howto prepare the cables. There are three pcs plugged in via ethernet and many wireless machines. Routers are all setup by accessing them via a browser, just type the address in the URL bar, this is where you setup wep security etc for the wifi. Its really quite simple, just take it a stage at a time.
if you go with virgins 30mb or 50mb service the modem router will be an all in one unit. have one myself they are made by netgear. as for quality its better than my old topline netgear router. as for ethernet cable send me a pm and i will send you some. just let me know the length
Hey man. Thank you for your response. Hehe Im just being mega cautious asking the most basic questions. I dont trust myself with my pc lol. Yeah I actually didnt know the Adsl part was just in a normal router. I just went by the reviews saying ADSL routers and never looked into it until now. I should know that. Does that mean all those routers in the magazine are capable for what I need.. Does the Virgin router have things like QoS?. Though would I need QoS considering the speed of Virgin broardband . I mostly play WoW (Yes geek sigh lol). My mother would use her laptop for only general browsing. Thanks guys. Im guessing it will be Virgin Media 30mb. Lee
everything you will need is in the new virgin superhub which you would get free with 30mb and 50mb package. has all the settings you need.