Router connection question

[QueHuong]

I just bought a Netgear MR814 wireless (b standard) router. In the instructions, it said to connect that router to the DSL modem, and then connect a computer to that router with an ethernet cable. The problem is, I plan on putting the router in a seperate room altogether, so I can't directly connect the router to the computer. So will that pose a problem? I mean I can just connect the router to the DSL modem, then install wireless LAN cards on the other computers and everything will work right? But as a last resort, if the router needs to be cabled to the computer, I can put the computer near the router, but the placement of that comp will be sort of inconvenient.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

You need at least one computer connected to the router with a wired connection for setup and configuration. If you have no need to access the router configuration after setup, you could move the computer, but if you have a problem, you'll have to connect it directly again. I'd bite the bullet and just run a wire.

 

[dnuggett]

The router does not need to be connected at all times. You need a wired connection once to configure your router, after that you are free to move about the cabin.

but if you have a problem, you'll have to connect it directly again

Not necessarily, you can access it remotely if you got real happy and tossed all your CAT5.

 

[QueHuong]

And does it matter which computer I use to initially configure the router: Win98 or XP?

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
The router does not need to be connected at all times. You need a wired connection once to configure your router, after that you are free to move about the cabin.

but if you have a problem, you'll have to connect it directly again

Not necessarily, you can access it remotely if you got real happy and tossed all your CAT5.

Actually, there are a number of situations where you'll need to connect with a wired connection. Don't believe me, try it without one for a year or so.

 

[scorpioLP]

Originally posted by: MindStorm
And does it matter which computer I use to initially configure the router: Win98 or XP?

No.

 

[dnuggett]

Actually, there are a number of situations where you'll need to connect with a wired connection. Don't believe me, try it without one for a year or so.

Not to beat a dying horse, but what I am saying is you can access any internet connection to reconfigure this router. Hence you do not need a wired connection after setup and confuguration. Unless I am missing something......

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Do you really want to allow configuration of your router from anywhere on the Internet? :Q I think I pass on that plan!

 

[dnuggett]

You actually log into it with a user id and password. It is about as secure as secure is gonna get for now. Besides what is somebody gonna do? Reconfigure your router? OHHHH NO!!!

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
You actually log into it with a user id and password. It is about as secure as secure is gonna get for now. Besides what is somebody gonna do? Reconfigure your router? OHHHH NO!!!

I guess it doesn't occur to you that they could simply put your computer in the DMZ and have it wide open to the Internet?

Or, simply open a few ports to allow a specific exploit? Since there is no benefit to doing this unless you need remote configuration capability, IMO it's pretty stupid to do it.

 

[dnuggett]

Yes that has occured to me... like I just typed in an earlier post, you need a user id and password to access the router. Have you owned or operated the MR814? If you have you know that authentication is required before access is granted. Even if you haven't owned this model it shouldn't be a surprise because every other wireless router I know allows the same function. The DMZ is not a worry because they won't even get to the control panel. BTW... there is no benefit to doing this? Sure there is.:light:For a laptop user who does not want to plug in a Cat5 and needs to configure on the fly while wireless there are alot of benefits. The original poster said that his modem will be in a seperate room than his computer. This would mean that using the method I am talking about he could configure the router from where he is instead of moving the computer to the modem. So although he doesn't need remote configuration it is alot easier thus a benefit.

 

[QueHuong]

Maybe you two should duke it out in real life

I just got my router and DSL modem. Should I set up the modem/broadband first then install the router? Or should I set up the network first, then set up the broadband connection?

 

[QueHuong]

Bump.