This is a general question. I'm planning to set up a wireless network in my apartment, so I need to get a wireless router. The router that is most appealing to the eye is one of the Microsoft line of routers that stands on its side. Most of the other routers look like crap and take up too much space (this is important to someone who lives in a small apartment).

My question has to do with compatibility. A wireless router is a stand alone unit, independent from any of the computers that connect to it, and so I shouldn't have to worry about its compatibility with linux, right? I should be able to configure any router with a browser, right? I'm worried that buying a Microsoft router might pose problems with my linux installation. However, I see from some of the posts on this site that many linux users do in fact use MS wireless routers. I just want some reassurance before I go and plunk down $80 for some new gadget. Thanks for any help.

You must live in a really small apartment to be concerned with the size of your router. I'm only kidding.......

Actually, there is logic to your assumption that it should work regardless of what's connecting to it.

I've many a times been war-driving around town with my (linux-powered) Zaurus PDA, and picked up a piece of Microsoft hardware. I'd expect you to be able to connect to it as easily as any other piece of stand-alone hardware.

I also agree with you that it's not a bad looking piece. I too hate those obnoxious blue boxes that more than a single company are putting out. I never could understand why they decided on that design.

On a side-note, I noticed the other day, along side the MS router on the shelf at my local Mega-Mart, the MS PCMCIA wireless adapter, and for the price they wanted for it I thought for a second, "I wonder if that would work in my Slack-powered notebook?" Well, I checked it out over at The Linux Wlan Project and it's a Prism chipset, which is widely support in Linux. Much to my surprise I might get one if I don't fine a better deal in the meantime.

Enough of my rambling. Hope that helps

to answer your question, no, the brand of router does not matter / does not have anything to do with the browser used to configure it, or the OS that will use it for internet connectivity. Any router will allow both linux, windows, dos, any client to connect as long as it supports tcpip.

Thanks guys. That's what I thought. I picked up the MS wireless 'kit' (wireless router + card) for $100, and wouldn't you know it, everything works like a charm.