Thread
Wireless router for dsl and airport card
I'm trying to decide what wireless router to buy and am technologically illiterate. Assuming I try to connect with an airport card (which I haven't bought yet), what is the recommended wireless router for dsl connection that is easy to set up and also gives the best performance for the buck (ie., read cheap). I know I can't have it all, but I can't tell from the produt web sites if airport card will work with their product (eg, linksys? d-link, belkin, etc.)
Please help.
Please help.
I've used two offerings from SMC over the years and have been happy with both.
The SMC 7004AWBR is a router and wireless acces point, it supports airport or any other 802.11b wireless interface. It also has three 10/100 ethernet ports for connecting up any desktop computers you have. It also passes appletalk portocols, something many wireless access points don't do, this means you will be able to print to an appletalk printer, if you have one.
The SMC 7004VWBR is a newer version and supports stateful packet inspections, a method of firewall protection that has the ability to provide greater protection of your network. It also can support multiple IPs, should you have a use for that. In my case my ISP provides me with two IPs. I can use the router to assign which computer will respond to which IP, or of course I could use just one of the IPs and let the router assign addresses to any computer hooked up to it. The 7004VWBR also supports appletalk protocols, like the earlier version.
Both wireless routers are currently available. And I would recomend either one. The AWBR is probably eaiser to setup and administer, since it has fewer firewall and NAT options. The VWBR provides more features, but unless you are using them, it performs no better then the AWBR. The AWBR has an automated setup which attempts to configure itself by checking the type of modem (cable or DSL) that it is connected to. I didn't use that feature so I have no idea if it works, I confirued mine manually, since I knew how I wanted it set up.
Good luck
Tom N.
The SMC 7004AWBR is a router and wireless acces point, it supports airport or any other 802.11b wireless interface. It also has three 10/100 ethernet ports for connecting up any desktop computers you have. It also passes appletalk portocols, something many wireless access points don't do, this means you will be able to print to an appletalk printer, if you have one.
The SMC 7004VWBR is a newer version and supports stateful packet inspections, a method of firewall protection that has the ability to provide greater protection of your network. It also can support multiple IPs, should you have a use for that. In my case my ISP provides me with two IPs. I can use the router to assign which computer will respond to which IP, or of course I could use just one of the IPs and let the router assign addresses to any computer hooked up to it. The 7004VWBR also supports appletalk protocols, like the earlier version.
Both wireless routers are currently available. And I would recomend either one. The AWBR is probably eaiser to setup and administer, since it has fewer firewall and NAT options. The VWBR provides more features, but unless you are using them, it performs no better then the AWBR. The AWBR has an automated setup which attempts to configure itself by checking the type of modem (cable or DSL) that it is connected to. I didn't use that feature so I have no idea if it works, I confirued mine manually, since I knew how I wanted it set up.
Good luck
Tom N.
ANY product that is "WiFi" or "802.11b" compatible will work with AirPort, which is Apple's implementation of the 802.11b standard. The only glitch to worry about is how the equipment is configured and managed. Some manufacturers only provide Windows programs for this purpose, others provide both Mac and Windows management programs, and still others use a web browser interface.
The management and configuration area is where you want to do your homework. Look for "supported operating systems" in the product information. For example, the Linksys WAP11 (version 2.2) lists under its features that it offers "easy to use, web browser-based configuration." That means that it'll work with whatever platform you have. On the other hand, the original WAP11 (which I have) uses a configration program, and Linksys does not provide a Mac version. Take a little time, shop carefully, and pay attention to details, and you'll do fine.
The management and configuration area is where you want to do your homework. Look for "supported operating systems" in the product information. For example, the Linksys WAP11 (version 2.2) lists under its features that it offers "easy to use, web browser-based configuration." That means that it'll work with whatever platform you have. On the other hand, the original WAP11 (which I have) uses a configration program, and Linksys does not provide a Mac version. Take a little time, shop carefully, and pay attention to details, and you'll do fine.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GHPorter:
[b]ANY product that is "WiFi" or "802.11b" compatible will work with AirPort, which is Apple's implementation of the 802.11b standard.
This is assuming you do not use AppleTalk to print. Most of the wireless routers do not handle AppleTalk, so if this is a concern, be sure to check.
I have the Asante model and it works great with AppleTalk (and in every other way, I might add)
-c
[b]ANY product that is "WiFi" or "802.11b" compatible will work with AirPort, which is Apple's implementation of the 802.11b standard.
This is assuming you do not use AppleTalk to print. Most of the wireless routers do not handle AppleTalk, so if this is a concern, be sure to check.
I have the Asante model and it works great with AppleTalk (and in every other way, I might add)
-c
Quote:
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Originally posted by aaanorton: [QUOTE]Originally posted by GHPorter: [b]ANY product that is "WiFi" or "802.11b" compatible will work with AirPort, which is Apple's implementation of the 802.11b standard. This is assuming you do not use AppleTalk to print. Most of the wireless routers do not handle AppleTalk, so if this is a concern, be sure to check. I have the Asante model and it works great with AppleTalk (and in every other way, I might add) -c |
Be sure to look for mention of support for AppleTalk in the product information, and if you don't find it, call the company's customer support (not tech support) and ask about it. This sort of subversive method gets a lot more accomplished than what I've seen in some discussions: whining about why some company doesn't support AppleTalk (or why a product doesn't support any Mac-specific protocol or hardware).
Whining is a useless waste of time, and unless the company hears from a potential customer that they've lost a sale because they don't support AppleTalk, they'll never implement that support. No demand, no investment-it's that simple.
I just bought the Linksys Wireless Access Point Router with 4-port Eithernet Hub (WEFW11S4) and it works fantastic with my iBook and Airport card. I get a VERY strong signal throughout my 2 story house. I also bought its companion Linksys Wireless USB Adapter (W11USB) to hook up to a PC and I'm happy to report that works like a charm too. I get a 100% connection downstairs, about 150 from the router, which is upstairs.
Good luck.
Bob
Good luck.
Bob