need some general router advice

[veldrane]

hi

i have never used a router before, but since my spouse wants to get a 2nd comp and go wireless, we would like to finally get one.

we're also getign new PCs, the desktop is already all upgraded and the laptop she is geting will be vista. we will be connecting to the internet via cable.

so my questions are as follows:

1. how and what sequence do i set up the devices in ? is it cable to router to cable modem to the PC ? or cable to cable modem to router to the PC ? what point do i put the router in ?

2. do i need a 2nd cable modem for the 2nd computer ? or can they both run of off one ? if they can both run of off one will that impact performance ? i am especially concerned for latency since the desktop is primarily used for gaming while the laptop will be mroe fo a business type of setup. will seting up the laptop affect the gamign desktop ? if so can i put the laptop on wireless and leave the desktop on cable conenctions ? what devices and in what order should i get and connect for that ?

3. what is the most reliable router that is builf FOR VISTA ? after the driver drama with all my other devices, i dont want to make 5 returnign mechandise to the store in order to get a correct router taht will finally be fully functional with vista.

4. expanding on the above, i need a router that is not just fully vista compatible, but also performs flawlessly with regards to latency and pocketloss issues, throughput isnt as important to me as stability, vista compatibility and low latency. so looking for some proven recomendations here.

5. the addon cards for wireless routers, looking for recomendations as stated above, most likely same brand as the router, throughput isnt as important as compatability, stability, and low latency.


any other advice or tips on what to look out for also appreciated.


thanks

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: veldrane
hi

i have never used a router before, but since my spouse wants to get a 2nd comp and go wireless, we would like to finally get one.

we're also getign new PCs, the desktop is already all upgraded and the laptop she is geting will be vista. we will be connecting to the internet via cable.

so my questions are as follows:

1. how and what sequence do i set up the devices in ? is it cable to router to cable modem to the PC ? or cable to cable modem to router to the PC ? what point do i put the router in ?

cable wire --> cable modem -- > router

2. do i need a 2nd cable modem for the 2nd computer ? or can they both run of off one ? if they can both run of off one will that impact performance ? i am especially concerned for latency since the desktop is primarily used for gaming while the laptop will be mroe fo a business type of setup. will seting up the laptop affect the gamign desktop ? if so can i put the laptop on wireless and leave the desktop on cable conenctions ? what devices and in what order should i get and connect for that ?

just need 1 cable modem, the router will take care of everything for your connections. laptop won't effect the latency on the gaming computer, unless you are doing some major bittorent file sharing, or somethen like that.

3. what is the most reliable router that is builf FOR VISTA ? after the driver drama with all my other devices, i dont want to make 5 returnign mechandise to the store in order to get a correct router taht will finally be fully functional with vista.

any wireless router will work. a good one is linksys wrt54g, there is no driver setup for vista to use the router.

4. expanding on the above, i need a router that is not just fully vista compatible, but also performs flawlessly with regards to latency and pocketloss issues, throughput isnt as important to me as stability, vista compatibility and low latency. so looking for some proven recomendations here.

any router really

5. the addon cards for wireless routers, looking for recomendations as stated above, most likely same brand as the router, throughput isnt as important as compatability, stability, and low latency.

any wireless card from buffalo, linksys. netgear, dlink.

any other advice or tips on what to look out for also appreciated.

when setting up wireless settings on the router, use wpa2


thanks