[SOLVED] I want to buy a wireless router for home use

rhklinux · 11-21-2011, 01:46 AM

I have two computers (1 pc and 1 laptop).I want to buy a wireless router through which i can connect my pc with wired connection and my laptop using wireless.I use ubuntu on both computers.I am a newbie in ubuntu as well as networking(never had experience of configuring a network).I googled about this issue but really confused with the articles.I want to know which wireless technology my laptop uses like b/n/g.I am using a cable modem,with cable broadband connection.
thanks in advance.

yooy · 11-21-2011, 02:07 AM

If it's newer laptop than it's probably N and by buying N router you will be able to connect at bigger distance. Open source routers can be bought second hand for very cheap, look for tomato and dd-wrt firmares installed on second hand routers.

lithos · 11-21-2011, 02:14 AM

Don't worry about your Wi-Fi on your laptop (you can find out if you get the tech. specifications from manufacturer, i.e. HP Probook 4530s - Atheros 802.11b/g/n WiFi
Just buy some router from a local shop like maybe D-Link, Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys or whatever is known to you.

For your home use almost every is sufficient.

salasi · 11-21-2011, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhklinux

I want to know which wireless technology my laptop uses like b/n/g.

The easiest way to find this kind of thing is to look at the information from the manufacturer; if for some reason this can't work (a search should do it easily) there are other things that can be done, but do turn the laptop over and have a look at what certifications it has, because they may tell you.

Up to a point, it is not important though. Given that the ones that you mention are largely backwards compatible (you get the performance of the 'lowest common denominator' though), you can buy a wireless device and not really worry about it. (Well the part that you ask about; really early devices may only support WEP encryption, as opposed to WAP, and WEP is close to useless, so be careful about this if you buy a second-hand device.)

There is an exception; if you want to use 'a' (broadly, less interference, less commonly used, faster, but more limited range - the faster part is not important for many people, because they are using it to access a slower internet connection), rather than b/g, you will have to use devices at both ends that have 'a' available.

rhklinux · 11-21-2011, 09:48 AM

Thanks for replies! Will it be ok if i buy router :http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/link...g=mncol;subnav
my laptop is http://www.dell.com/in/p/xps-l502x/pd
I guess wired connection will not be a problem.
I cant afford to buy a new router if i bought something that doesn't suit me so that's why i am posting the links.

salasi · 11-21-2011, 11:33 AM

It looks as if the laptop is available in both b/g/n and a/g/n versions; if you have a, you won't be able to use it with that router, but that may not be important to you.

rhklinux · 11-22-2011, 12:06 AM

So how can i determine exactly what version (a/b/g/n) i am having,and why are you saying that doesn't matter.
sorry if i am asking some stupid questions! thanks again!

salasi · 11-23-2011, 05:59 AM

There are two versions of the laptop (at least as far as networking is concerned). One has b/g/n and the other has a/g/n. Therefore, both have g and n. So, as the lowest common denominator, g and n are available.

You may or may not have a, but that part should be made clear in

the documentation that came with the laptop
the 'Certification stickers' on the laptop

If you have a ( and only if you have a), you might decide that you want to use it. Or, you might not. That is a decision, and you make it. You might get help from reading posts earlier in this thread about why some people might want a and conversely why some people might not be bothered.

So, if your laptop has a and you want to use it, that router would not be the best choice, as it doesn't have a and so, buying that router will disallow the use of a. You would then search for a router which does have a. If you then find a router which does have a and the other aspects of the specification seem fine (and maybe even reading a review) you would buy it, and use a. You would then be using a.

Equally, you might decide that a is not worth the faffing about and just buy the router to which you provide a link, but then a would not be an option.

lithos · 11-23-2011, 03:19 PM

For explanation (which you might have already seen) from aa80211standard

Quote:

802.11a
While 802.11b was in development, IEEE created a second extension to the original 802.11 standard called 802.11a. Because 802.11b gained in popularity much faster than did 802.11a, some folks believe that 802.11a was created after 802.11b. In fact, 802.11a was created at the same time. Due to its higher cost, 802.11a is usually found on business networks whereas 802.11b better serves the home market.

802.11a supports bandwidth up to 54 Mbps and signals in a regulated frequency spectrum around 5 GHz. This higher frequency compared to 802.11b shortens the range of 802.11a networks. The higher frequency also means 802.11a signals have more difficulty penetrating walls and other obstructions.

Because 802.11a and 802.11b utilize different frequencies, the two technologies are incompatible with each other. Some vendors offer hybrid 802.11a/b network gear, but these products merely implement the two standards side by side (each connected devices must use one or the other).

Pros of 802.11a - fast maximum speed; regulated frequencies prevent signal interference from other devices
Cons of 802.11a - highest cost; shorter range signal that is more easily obstructed

and a nice wiki table with standards under Protocols paragraph.

From my experience this Linksys WRT54GL (note that L mark) is working Very well with modified dd-wrt firmware (enter wrt54gl into search field) and offers high reliability in home/ heavy use.

rhklinux · 11-24-2011, 07:06 AM

thanks