Setting up a home WiFi wireless ADSL connection.

[tab]

Maybe they can steal bandwidth?

That my friend would be your major concern, and the first you would know of it would be the nasty little bill at the end of the month or throttled access (depending on your plan)

The fact that anything done through your connection will be traced back to you would be the second biggest concern. Don't be to alarmed though, everyone is talking worst case scenario, and the fact of the matter is that packet sniffing and war driving are usually just done for kicks and then they move on to the next open network. Kind of like cracking a safe combination but not actually taking anything out of the safe - just done for the "buzz".

As for the hardware, you really can't go too wrong with Dlink. As with anything there will always be another product that is out there that is bigger/better/faster, but this looks like a good combination of features with plenty of room for expandability and future growth. It would be set up using a browser interface so it would be quite user friendly as well.

Trent.

[ZAP]

Not sure if we're talking about the same thing. I've ordered a netgear DG834 (not wireless) for about $170. It'll connect to both of my computers via the 10/100 ethernet cards and I won't need any special software to share the internet or network between the computers. It incorporates ADSL modem, firewall, router and switch and can connect up to 4 computers.

Am I missing something here?

Sorry mine is a WGR614, its Wireless and a Firewall.

[Damo]

Not sure if we're talking about the same thing.  I've ordered a netgear DG834 (not wireless) for about $170.  It'll connect to both of my computers via the 10/100 ethernet cards and I won't need any special software to share the internet or network between the computers. It incorporates ADSL modem, firewall, router and switch and can connect up to 4 computers.

Am I missing something here?

Sorry mine is a WGR614, its Wireless and a Firewall.

Hi Zeke,

Yes, you're missing something there. The WGR614 does not incorporate and ADSL modem. It *does* have NAT, SPI, MAC address lock-down, 128-bit WEP encryption and one thing that the really ordinary units don't have - the ability to disable broadcast of your SSID.

I have the same unit at home, have installed it for 3 other people and recommended it to a mate.

As long as you use 128-bit WEP, setup authorised MAC addresses and turn off SSID broadcast, you're *fairly* safe, but nothing is 100%! But then again, neither is a hard-wired router, and you don't need to sit outside someone's house to gain access to that.

Make sure you are getting a WGR614v4 - if it's not a v4 then chances are your supplier is flogging you an old unit. And throw in a firmware update as soon as you get it online.

I use a 3com a/b/g card in my notebook, have another wired notebook and 3x PC's hanging off my router and I haven't had a complaint yet.

The beauty of something like the 614 is that it can work on ADSL or cable - just use the ISP supplied ADSL or cable modem. The only problem I have had is, being on Bigpond Cable there is a LOT of unwanted traffic and the firewall has been rebooted twice in the last 3 weeks because it starts running like a dog - I think because SPI is working its arse off.

Hope you enjoy setting it up, it's a breeze!

Cheers,

Damo.

[Zeke]

Zap, the comment you quoted was in response to Blown ba's post immediately before it.

Citric, you're missing something here. I'm getting a DG834. Mondie's getting the wireless modem and is asking about the d-link. Zap has the WRG614. Thanks for the info, anyway.

[saleen]

I've got a d-link dsl604+ Router/Modem/Firewall./Access Point/4 Port switch all in one. I've got 2 computers and XBOX live running off it at the moment but all by wires(I got the lecture from Cro already, I know) Gunna buy wireless pci cards soon and the adaptor for the XBOX so I will be be refering to this thread quite regularly I think.

[Zeke]

I think what it boils down to is:

1. Wired is safest, but can be a nuisance.

2. Wireless is good if wires are a hassle - eg laptop or one computer at the other end of the house to the modem and other computers.

3. If you go wireless, you need to buy the right gear and set it up with the right encryption for security.

4. Netgear and D-link both make good stuff.

5. There's more than one way to set up a good internet sharing/network system that works.

[XtRmn8]

I have never really looked into or done any reserch on the wireless LAN technologies etc. But I do recal one of my lecturers saying how you can share one single ADSL connection with your neighbours bla bla bla, this was over a year ago when wilreless was starting to become "affordable". My question is what the maximum distance these wireless routers will operate to??

I probably should really know this stuff! :lol:

[Dagabond]

Another good site for all things wireless:

http://melbourne.wireless.org.au/

[citric acid xr6t]

Molndie

I have just recently set up my wireless network at home although I am on Bigpond Cable. I bought a D Link Di 624 G router with wireless access off Ebay for $115.00. It was easy to set up and I filter mac addresses to keep unwanted computers out.

It is the best thing I have done. I can wander around the house with my laptop and access the network, even sit outside on the deck whilst drinking stubbies surf the net enjoy the beautiful Queensland sunshine. And the best bit, our company just provided us with an IVPN solution to tunnel through my broad band connection to our corporate lan so I can now claim my network and broadband connection on my tax.

[tab]

Mondie,

If you are yet to take the plunge into ADSL, I would recommend that you grab your self a copy of the June edition of APC (Australian Personal Computer) Magazine as they have a fairly extensive feature on broadband deals and setting them up (inc wifi)

And if you have any problems setting it up you know that help is only a forum post away!!!

Trent.