home network

[eta34]

Another newbie question...

I have a wireless network setup and have dsl extreme. I run my ps3, wii, and a few other wireless devices through the network. My desktop is the hub, I guess. I connect to the internet through it and then connect my other devices wirelessly.

My desktop is old and on its last leg. Is there any device out there that could work instead of my desktop as the center of my network?

I hope this all makes sense...if not, I apologize.

[Maybejim]

Pick up a WIFI router from Amazon or any Electronics store. It hooks to your DSL modem and then you can use it for all your devices. I'd recommend an "N" router as opposed to "G" as it will work with older equipment as well as new stuff and gives a little better range. I'd also recommend a dual band router which will cost only a little more but allow you to set up some devices on one band and others on the other band so you don't get slow ups because of everything on one band. The new ones are surprisingly easy to set up.

By the way how is it a Senior member is saying a newbie question?

[sholling]

If you're connecting devices over wireless then I suspect that the router is the "hub" of your network and not your desktop. However some routers can only be managed over a wired connection which may be what you're referring to. You could pick up another desktop or a notebook. These days most full sized notebooks support both wired and wireless networking. BTW if you're using wireless then make sure it's well secured.

[eta34]

Yes sholling...that is what I have. I have an n router. It is secured with the really long password thingie. My password is "NeilMcCauleyisacolossaldouchebag69#&*!"

Perhaps I don't understand how a network works.

[esskay]

By the way how is it a Senior member is saying a newbie question?

I suspect it's because he's a senior member of a Firearms forum, as opposed to a computer/tech-type forum?

[eta34]

Correct, esskay.

[sholling]

Perhaps I don't understand how a network works.

Well I do - I did computer networking for a living for almost 20 years. By "hub" were you referring to the router (question answered) or did you mean that you are using your dieing desktop as a file server or as media server and need a replacement to do that job?

[spiderpigs]

Well I do - I did computer networking for a living for almost 20 years. By "hub" were you referring to the router (question answered) or did you mean that you are using your dieing desktop as a file server or as media server and need a replacement to do that job?

Or he could have to dial into his dsl old school, ppoe, rather than having the router/modem do it, I do believe DSL still works that way?

[sholling]

Or he could have to dial into his dsl old school, ppoe, rather than having the router/modem do it, I do believe DSL still works that way?

Good catch, I've been on FIOS for so long it that slipped my mind. He should be going straight Ethernet to the router and let the router handle PPOE authentication for his entire home network. But you're right he may have his PC doing it which is very-very old school. That's easy to fix since pretty much any 802.11n router can be setup for PPOE.

[eta34]

Well I do - I did computer networking for a living for almost 20 years. By "hub" were you referring to the router (question answered) or did you mean that you are using your dieing desktop as a file server or as media server and need a replacement to do that job?

Let me explain and hopefully you can figure out what I mean

I have DSL Extreme. It is PPPoe. They supplied a modem and I had an N Wireless Router. When I set it up, I had to sign into DSL Extreme through my desktop (which I connect to the network wirelessly). I connect my two laptops and other devices to the network wirelessly.

Here is what I do not understand. If my desktop dies, will I need to replace it with a new one or will I still be able to access the internet through my other laptops and wireless devices?

On a side note, I switched to DSL Extreme from Verizon and am not completely happy with their customer service. I may go back. Thoughts? FIOS is not yet available, nor is cable.

[bigmike82]

Let's do this.

Turn off your desktop.

Can you still use the internet on your other devices?

[sholling]

Let me explain and hopefully you can figure out what I mean

I have DSL Extreme. It is PPPoe. They supplied a modem and I had an N Wireless Router. When I set it up, I had to sign into DSL Extreme through my desktop (which I connect to the network wirelessly). I connect my two laptops and other devices to the network wirelessly.

Here is what I do not understand. If my desktop dies, will I need to replace it with a new one or will I still be able to access the internet through my other laptops and wireless devices?

On a side note, I switched to DSL Extreme from Verizon and am not completely happy with their customer service. I may go back. Thoughts? FIOS is not yet available, nor is cable.

Okay I've had DSL Extreme and it's a good company. You can simplify this whole thing by setting up your router to sign you in. There will be a PPPoE option in the router's setup section and it will store your username and password. If you don't have the router's manual you can probably download it and if you've forgotten your sign-in DSL Extreme will reset it for you. They may even walk you through the router setup if it's a brand the tech is familiar with.

[Lancear15]

Belkin N wireless gaming router, problem solved.

[bigmike82]

I've had DSL Extreme for the past five years with nary a problem. The only issues I've had were wiring related.

The DSL modem should take care of any PPPoE you need...you may not even need it on the router. Mine doesn't.

I'm using an older 831 as my router with a 1232 as the WAP, and it works beautifully.

interface Ethernet1
ip address ************ 255.255.255.0 secondary
ip address ************ 255.255.255.0
ip nbar protocol-discovery
ip nat outside
ip virtual-reassembly
duplex auto