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8407
December 16th, 2003 03:00
Do I need a wireless router?
I have 2 PCs in my home network that are connected to the internet via a cable modem and a 5-port workgroup switch, a Linksys EZXS55W. I decided to buy a router in order to (a) get more firewall protection and (b) allow me to add additional PCs, such as my work PC. I went to Best Buy and bought the Linksys Wireless-G WRT54G for $83 since I thought I may add a wireless PC in the next year. It also has 4 ethernet ports and a SPI firewall.
Question is am I better off being a cheaper non-wireless now instead of the wireless? If so, what you recommend? If OK to stay with the wireless, do you think the model I got is good, or will it be outdated by the time I am ready to expand?
My base PC is a Dell XPS T600, 384k Ram, wIn 98se. The other PC is a Dell Dim 1.2Ghz, 256k Ram, win Me.
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volcano11
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28K Posts
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December 16th, 2003 04:00
Question is am I better off being a cheaper non-wireless now instead of the wireless?
You would save about $30 if you went with a non-wireless router like the Linksys BEFSR41, but you would then have to turn around and spend the $80 again when you decide to go wireless. If you are thinking into the future, keep the wireless router and just use the 4 ethernet ports to share the internet connection and provide file and printer sharing.
If so, what you recommend?
Keep what you have.
If OK to stay with the wireless, do you think the model I got is good, or will it be outdated by the time I am ready to expand?
It's hard to predict the future in the rapidly changing world of computing. But, I don't see much changing in the next year or so.
Steve
TallTex
28 Posts
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December 17th, 2003 01:00
OK- thx. If I keep the wireless router, how do I set it up? Should I replace the switch that I am currently using? Any other issues?
I am also currently using ZoneAlarm as my firewall. Should I keep that or can I get rid of it?
volcano11
2 Intern
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28K Posts
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December 17th, 2003 01:00
Full instructions for setting up the router should come with the router. Since you won't be using the wireless portion of the router, configure it so as to disable the wireless access. Again, instructions for doing this should come with the router.
The router will protect you from hacker attacks from the internet, but most security experts would recommend that you run a software firewall like Zone Alarm because such a software firewall will also protect from trojan attacks that would occur if a trojan somehow gets downloaded to your computer and tries to send information out. The router would not protect you from such attacks.
Steve