Yes, you need a wireless network adapter in the laptop if you want to communicate wirelessly to the 2091. If you connect to the 2091 with an ethernet cable, you're no longer wireless, but you will be able to access the internet.
Note that the 2091 is a combination ADSL modem and wireless router, only supports 5 attached devices and is locked to BT. If you think 5 devices may not be adequate for future expansion you may want to consider getting just an ADSL modem from BT and getting a brand name router from a local electronics store. Linksys, Dlink, Belkin and Netgear are all good brands. Make sure the ADSL modem can connect to the router using an ethernet connection. Many in the UK cannot. And if you ever want to acquire internet service from a vendor other then BT you would need a new router.
The 2091 is a standard 802.11g router, so virtually any 802.11g wireless network adapter will communicate with it. All the previously mentioned name brands offer them. Note that you only need a standard 802.11g wireless network adapter. Stay away from any wireless network adapter advertising speeds greater than 54Mbps. You would be wasting money and they may not be compatible with the 2091.
You have not mentioned which model of Dell laptop you have. Some have the capability for an internal wireless network adapter, using the laptop's mini-pci slot. If your laptop has an internal mini-pci slot and you want to use it you should contact Dell to purchase a Truemobile adapter. Stay away from the Intel internal adapters as these forums have reported many problems with them.
I have been unable to find much information about the 2091. BT seems to keep a user manual well hidden. Assuming the 2091 works like any other router, it will assign private IP addresses in the same subnet to any device attached to it, regardless of whether the attachment is wired or wireless. Therefore, yes, you can connect one PC wired, using the ethernet port in the 2091, and the other wireless. Both PCs will participate in the same homogeneous network and will be able to perform File and Printer Sharing and access the internet simultaneously.
_Paladin
795 Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 20:00
scottemsden,
Yes, you need a wireless network adapter in the laptop if you want to communicate wirelessly to the 2091. If you connect to the 2091 with an ethernet cable, you're no longer wireless, but you will be able to access the internet.
Note that the 2091 is a combination ADSL modem and wireless router, only supports 5 attached devices and is locked to BT. If you think 5 devices may not be adequate for future expansion you may want to consider getting just an ADSL modem from BT and getting a brand name router from a local electronics store. Linksys, Dlink, Belkin and Netgear are all good brands. Make sure the ADSL modem can connect to the router using an ethernet connection. Many in the UK cannot. And if you ever want to acquire internet service from a vendor other then BT you would need a new router.
The 2091 is a standard 802.11g router, so virtually any 802.11g wireless network adapter will communicate with it. All the previously mentioned name brands offer them. Note that you only need a standard 802.11g wireless network adapter. Stay away from any wireless network adapter advertising speeds greater than 54Mbps. You would be wasting money and they may not be compatible with the 2091.
You have not mentioned which model of Dell laptop you have. Some have the capability for an internal wireless network adapter, using the laptop's mini-pci slot. If your laptop has an internal mini-pci slot and you want to use it you should contact Dell to purchase a Truemobile adapter. Stay away from the Intel internal adapters as these forums have reported many problems with them.
scottemsden
36 Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 20:00
_Paladin
795 Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 20:00
scottemsden,
I have been unable to find much information about the 2091. BT seems to keep a user manual well hidden. Assuming the 2091 works like any other router, it will assign private IP addresses in the same subnet to any device attached to it, regardless of whether the attachment is wired or wireless. Therefore, yes, you can connect one PC wired, using the ethernet port in the 2091, and the other wireless. Both PCs will participate in the same homogeneous network and will be able to perform File and Printer Sharing and access the internet simultaneously.