Help me set up wireless internet at home!

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rshri

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Hi,

I have desktop computer with Airtel 999 plan. I have Airtel provided Beetal modem connected to desktop through ethernet cable.

Recently my office issued me a brand new Toshiba Satellite laptop :)

I now want to enable myself to access internet at home over laptop wirelessly. I need you help here guys. I am a noob when it comes to networking.

First, please help me buy a router. I am not looking for a (modem+router) combo since laptop at home will only be used sparingly. Therefore I need something that I can turn on when I intend to access internet over laptop and turn off when I am done. The internet access from desktop should not be effected.

I know that many of you already own routers and may like to recommend them. However please note that I will be buying a brand new one and your existing routers may be obsolete/unavailable. Therefore please try to recommend a current model.

Once I am done with purchase I will need your help in setting it up.

I am in Delhi and intend to go to Nehru Place this Saturday for purchase (I have no budgetary constraints). So please help me make decision ASAP.

Thank you all! Waiting for your replies!
 
I have no budgetary constraints
Click to expand...

Linksys WRT series....pick up any of the 802.11g models..

And there is no point wasting money on Pre-n models that promise enhanced speeds/range as your laptop wireless card would not support anything beyond g, and your router's network connection would scale itself down to the max bandwidth/range supported by your laptop's wireless card
 
Yes. I would recommend the same.

Once your router is done, you need to connect that to the Desktop for initial setup. After configuring that, all you need to do is

1. Switch on ur modem

2. After a few seconds, switch on ur router.

[The reason for waiting a few seconds is that, the modem must establish a link before u can connect to the ISP. After that, if you switch on ur router, it will connect auto. BTW, WRT series, does auto redial i guess]
 
Linksys WRT54 G is nice option . dont go for latest one Version 7 . lots of problem and constant reboot . try to get v4 or v3 . install linux based custom firmware and convert 4000 Rs . Router into 40000 Rs one ..:cool2:
 
get the linksys wrt54gl as older versions of wrt54g is not that easily available nowadays.

linksys rocks with the 3rd party firmwares
 
Linksys WRT54GS much better than 54G IMO...

Oh and i was using DLink GLB 502T Modem Router so i had to change the 54GS's IP or smtn cos both had same of it hence resulting in a clash or smtn,,,,,,,,,,
 
^^ Thats what i heard.

I got it for 2k (WGR614 v6). For home use pretty good, comes with encrytion key and stuff. good buy
 
or u can get the Buffalo WHR-G54S for 2200 + tax. That also supports 3rd party firmware and is really good.
 
cisco_tech said:
install linux based custom firmware and convert 4000 Rs . Router into 40000 Rs one ..:cool2:
Click to expand...

Josh said:
^^ some cool Linux Firmwares for it.
Click to expand...

varkey said:
linksys rocks with the 3rd party firmwares
Click to expand...

Guys,
He says he is a n00b. I think he might find it difficult to locate the linux firmwares with the list of available. Kindly give him a link or so if possible. :)
But the model no of the Router is necessary right?
rshri, let us know when u buy the router.
 
Guys, Thanks for all the responses! I am overhelmed by all the help I getting from you!

Based on your suggestions, I have narrowed down my choice to - Linksys WRT54GS or Linksys WRT54GL. Now I need to decide between these two.

As per one of posts by Amber in some other thread, range of WRT54GL is real bad. He has said that he then bought WRT54GS which has much better range. What is your opinion on this?

I plan to buy it this coming Saturday.
 
WRT54GS is better but will be more expensive than GL. You may want to consider the Buffalo WHR-G54S which costs only 2200+ and supports 3rd party firmware or if you want better range get the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 which has an inbuilt amplifier.

In fact Buffalo is a recommended modem for running DD-WRT which is an extremely good firmware.
 
Hi Guys, Since I have no bubgetary constraints, I have now almost decided to buy Linksys WRT54GS. Most probably I will buy this tomorrow itself from Nehru Place (Delhi). How much is it going to cost me?

Lately, I have been reading posts regarding setting up of router with Airtel 220BX modem. Frankly, now I am having doubts whether I will be able to achieve what I am looking for.

My present setup -

Desktop computer connected with Airtel's Beetal 220BX modem through ethernet network port. I have Airtel 999 unlimited DSL connection. To connect to internet, I just switch on modem and I am able to surf net and download when all four LEDs are lit on modem. I dont use net for torrents or gaming or ftp. I use internet only for plain surfing, Instant Messaging, chatting, Skype and downloads from rapidshare.

Intended setup-

Linksys router is an "add-on" to present setup. What I am looking for is - I switch on router only when I want to access internet from laptop. It should remain switched off otherwise. This means that - if I dont intend to use my laptop and want to turn on internet on my desktop, I should not be required to switch on router anyway.

I checked forum entries, it seems that only way to get wireless internet working is -

Either

Put Airtel modem is "bridged" mode.

Or

Change IP of Linksys router to make it different from default 192.168.1.1

I am sure that "bridged" mode will require me to always switch on router to make internet work in desktop (Since network cord will route from router to desktop). So I am dropping this method.

What about second method? Please guide me through whole thing!
 
Ok Guys, Here it is - I have now bought Linksys WRT54GS. I got it from Nehru Place (Delhi) yesterday for Rs 3775/-.

Now I am trying to set it up. My strategy is to change the IP of router itself to a something different from default 192.168.1.1 to make things work with Airtel Beetal 220BX modem. This is what I did -

1) I disconnected modem from desktop after turning it off.
2) Connected router to desktop through network cable
3) Turned on router
4) Went to http://192.168.1.1
5) Changed router IP to 192.168.1.2 (My desktop's IP is 192.168.1.3)
6) Did a "repair" of network connection
7) Went to http://192.168.1.2. Router setup page opened properly. This confirms that IP change was successful.
8) Now I turned off router.
9) Connected modem to router.
10) Turned on modem. Waited until its fully booted. Three LEDs became lit, The fourth one (marked PC/USB) remained unlit. My guess is that this is because modem was connected to router which was off.
11) Turned on router. Internet LED in router is lit after bootup. Also the fourth LED in modem becomes lit. So everthing seems fine.

After following above steps, I stumble in problem - I tried opening google in desktop. Didn't open. Did a "repair" of network connection. No change, internet still doesnt works. I then did a ping of 192.168.1.1. Its not pinging!
However, router setup at 192.168.1.2 is still working fine.

So help me guys, what do I do now?

[For the time being, I have disconnected router and connected modem directly to desktop (as before)]
 
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