Laptop used as a router possible?

[pcslookout]

Anyway to have 2 nics in a old laptop easily so it can be used as a router ?

 

[igor_kavinski]

Cable Matters SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter in Black - Walmart.com

Buy Cable Matters SuperSpeed USB 3.0 to RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter in Black at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

The laptop should already have one RJ45 port so you just need to buy one of the above.

 

[matthias87]

Yes, you can convert a laptop into a router. You said you have two NICs on your laptop. But it would be easy if the second one was a wireless adapter. Use the first NIC as the Internet receiver.

I assume your laptop runs on Windows. Go to Settings and choose Network & Internet.

Go to Mobile Hotspot and enable WiFi htspot.

 

[sdifox]

I would advice against using the onboard wifi for this duty. Laptop wifi are not built for continous duty, they don't have heat sinks. It will overheat.

 

[matthias87]

I would advice against using the onboard wifi for this duty. Laptop wifi are not built for continous duty, they don't have heat sinks. It will overheat.

Yes, you are correct. Using a laptop as a WiFi router for long period is not a good idea.

 

[hoangcf]

you can convert a laptop into a router

 

[mindless1]

Not the best option unless you need elaborate routing and don't want to pay a lot more for a corporate grade router.

1) Using a laptop, the fan won't last long enough running (presumably?) 24/7

2) Uses more power than a typical standalone router. Within 2-3 years the power difference could probably pay for a modest-spec router, especially if you shop around for deals on them.

3) Most consumer grade routers also have a built in switch, so potentially don't need a separate switch and by not having one, can discount the power it would have used, off the power used by the router.

4) You can do a fair amount of configuration with standalone routers if they're capable of 3rd party firmware like DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWRT. Just need to pick which of those to use, then pick a router that's supported.