Can desktop act as "wireless" router?

On 2/7/2011 9:02 PM, wrote:
wrote:

At a minimum, having a standalone router would eliminate the need for
the desktop to be always up, making heat and noise, just for your net
connection. I see that you intend run that PC 24-7 anyhow, but having a
small, dedicated device seems to be very efficient.

Also, I'm not sure how many connections you can have through a single
wireless card on the PC. The router can have many connections as you
would ever need. If you want a third device on the network, you'll have
to do more setup to make that happen, if it's even possible.

well I did NOT say it was a good idea.... only hat it
was something I wanted to "consider"

It now sounds like a good wireless router makes better
sense

given that... WHICH wireless router to buy for
streaming Netflix and such?

I've really not had problems with any router I've ever purchased. It
took awhile to get the latest D-Link dialed in, but it's spinning like a
top now.

For the budget conscious, I've bought several of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833180060

wrote:
Rather than buying a stand alone wireless router....can
a person just configure his desktop with wireless card
to ACT as a wireless "router" and save some desk space
if short on space?

I understand your current resources to consist of -1- cable modem
presumably with ethernet connectivity -2- laptop with ethernet and
wireless capability both -3- a small living area as well as little
desktop space

You are considering adding a desktop to the mix and so you need a local
network which you would like to be wireless and wired.

'Everyone' does that by acquiring a wired/wireless router to connect
that to the cable modem's ethernet. Doing it some other way is not
sensible/practical.

Depending on how things are laid out, the location of the cable modem is
typically close to where the cable comes into the residence, and the
location of the router is often close to the cable modem, but it doesn't
have to be that way. You can have lots of cable distance and sufficient
ethernet distance to position things how you like.

The benefits of the small little router are that it is an economical way
to have a lot of different functionality in a single unit which doesn't
use much juice and is typically left on all the time.

--
Mike Easter

John wrote:

You can buy a cable modem that will also broadcast WIFI from the cable
company

Are these combo "cable modems" and "routers a good
idea?

Or still best to have separate units?

me privacy.net wrote:

John John nowhere.com wrote:

You can buy a cable modem that will also broadcast WIFI from the
cable company

Are these combo "cable modems" and "routers a good idea?

My 2-Wire HomePortal 1000 has worked well for many years, as a DSL
modem and home WiFi in one. Unless you see lots of negativity, I
would assume the combination works well. Read reviews. And
especially if you are easily confused, the combo might be less of
a hassle.

If I were still confused, I would ask in a cable modem group,
either on UseNet or on the web. Typical cable modem users would be
the most knowledgeable about which equipment works well.

Good luck and have fun.
--




















Or still best to have separate units?


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From: me privacy.net
Newsgroups: alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
Subject: Can desktop act as "wireless" router?
Date: Tue, 08 Feb 2011 13:54:00 -0600
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On 2/8/2011 1:54 PM, wrote:
wrote:

You can buy a cable modem that will also broadcast WIFI from the cable
company

Are these combo "cable modems" and "routers a good
idea?

Or still best to have separate units?

Outside of the technical aspects, I don't like modem/router combos. I
prefer to have my home network established and just plug the appropriate
modem into it for my provider. For example:

I'm currently shopping for a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem to get ready for
IPv6. Motorola makes one that looks good, the SB6121, and it retails
for about $100. For an extra $35, I can get a unit that combines a
DOCSIS 3.0 modem with a Wireless-N/Gigabit router. Even though I
already have a Wireless-N/Gigabit router in place, it's attractive to be
able to simplify my network some with that combo unit.

The downside, however, is that if I were to go to a different provider,
like DSL from my telephone company, I would not be able to use that
combo unit as a gateway router.

Maybe if I could get a unit that was DOCSIS 3.0 + whatever the
current/next DSL standard is + Wireless-N + Gigabit, I would consider
it, but it just seems easier to work out a local area network with the
capabilities I want, and a single, simple, ethernet connection to the
appropriate provider-approved modem.

On 9/02/2011 6:54 AM, wrote:
wrote:

You can buy a cable modem that will also broadcast WIFI from the cable
company

Are these combo "cable modems" and "routers a good
idea?

Or still best to have separate units?

I prefer to have separate units. Until recently, my cable company
supplied modem was doing a reasonable job and had been for something in
the order of 10 years. They recently did some cable network upgrades and
sent me a new modem gratis. So, in a dozen years, I've had 2 modems and
6 routers. 4 of the routers have been wireless, the first couple were not.
Had I opted for the modem router combo, my upgrades would have entailed
ditching the lot each time. I am soon to upgrade to a new router and it
will need to be wireless N capable and have Gigabit as well. The modem
will remain undisturbed during this upgrade and will probably be in my
service 10 years hence.

Krypsis

On 9/02/2011 9:48 AM, Grinder wrote:
On 2/8/2011 1:54 PM, wrote:
wrote:

You can buy a cable modem that will also broadcast WIFI from the cable
company

Are these combo "cable modems" and "routers a good
idea?

Or still best to have separate units?

Outside of the technical aspects, I don't like modem/router combos. I
prefer to have my home network established and just plug the appropriate
modem into it for my provider. For example:

You work in the opposite manner to me. I prefer to leave the cable side
of things undisturbed and twiddle with the home network.


I'm currently shopping for a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem to get ready for
IPv6. Motorola makes one that looks good, the SB6121, and it retails for
about $100. For an extra $35, I can get a unit that combines a DOCSIS
3.0 modem with a Wireless-N/Gigabit router. Even though I already have a
Wireless-N/Gigabit router in place, it's attractive to be able to
simplify my network some with that combo unit.

The downside, however, is that if I were to go to a different provider,
like DSL from my telephone company, I would not be able to use that
combo unit as a gateway router.

That was one of my concerns early in the piece but, since I have
remained with the same provider for a dozen years, my concerns were
unfounded. As an aside, my provider charges $100 to register a modem not
provided by them but nothing if they supply it!

Maybe if I could get a unit that was DOCSIS 3.0 + whatever the
current/next DSL standard is + Wireless-N + Gigabit, I would consider
it, but it just seems easier to work out a local area network with the
capabilities I want, and a single, simple, ethernet connection to the
appropriate provider-approved modem.

Krypsis