Router: wireless or wired??

[F3nix35]

Hello, this is my first post on these forums but i have read quite a few that have been very helpful to me setting up my new computer. I currently have a "speedtouch" USB modem which is fine, and this computer acting as the host for my network (LAN). But i would like to have a router and i am really unsure whether i should get a wired or unwired router. I have searched the forums but havnt found a similar thread, but if there is one, please give me the link and this thread can be deleted.

I use my internet for:
-gaming (requiring alot of bandwidth
-downloading
-general emails and IM programs (obviously dont need full bandwidth for this though.)

In my home i can deal with wires but have heard these new wireless routers are good. The computers are linked between walls and 2 floors (5 computers in total) but would be less than 50 meters apart in total.

I wonder if anyone knows the advantages and disadvantages for wire and wireless routers for me being a bit new to the router aspect of computing. Thanks.

 

[Fardringle]

If you already have ethernet cables run for the existing network, I would use those cables since the connection will be faster than wireless for transferring files between the computers. However, having said that I would also personally get a wireless router and use the wired portion for existing connections and then have the wireless available for future additions that are not alrready wired.

There really is no measurable difference between wired and wireless for Internet access, though, since even the very fastest home Internet connections won't come anywhere close to maxing out the capacity of a wired or wireless network.

Also, if your modem is USB only, you are going to have a hard time connecting it to any router. You really need to have a modem with an ethernet port in order to attach it to a router.

 

[halfadder]

I love 802.11g for my notebook, but all of my destkop rigs are connected via cat5 for real 100BaseT ethernet, it's faster and much more reliable than wireless.

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to the Network Forum.

I endorse every thing said by Fardringle.

However to make it easy.

The first step to become a Network guy is to get rid of the USB Modem. With a USB Modem you would not be able to buy Hardware and install any reliable Network.
If the modem came from an ISP may be they will be willing to exchange it with an External Ethernet Modem.

If not get this: Model 5515 ETHERNET ADSL Bridge Modem. ($69).

It is "silly" to buy a Wired Cable/DSL Router. Every Wireless Cable/DSL Router has 4 wired ports as well, with careful shoping the price differential might be $5 to $10 between Wired and Wireless.

Buy a Wireless Cable/DSL Router and do not buy Client Wireless cards if you want to go with Wires only.

Link to: Wireless What Should I Get?

:sun:

 

[Rottie]

Get a router with both wired and wireless because who knows you might have a friends with wireless laptop coming over your place. One time my friend with wireless laptop stay at my place and able to wireless to my router to do his work/research. I have Linksys Broadband-B (BEFW11S4 804.11B) wireless/wired router.

 

[F3nix35]

Thankyou for the posts so far, i know that i did try bluetooth (which is very different technology i know) for networking and it did not work at all in my house. Would this be at all similar for wireless routers?

So far from the replies i am swayed towards getting a wireless router like Jack said with wire options. So thanks to all who have posted so far

 

[wolf68k]

The upside to wireless is that thereis no need for wires
The downside is; lower speeds for file sharing between computers on the network and also security
I've got 2 wireless access points some where near me that are completely open. And one of them is broadcasting it's name as simpily "linksys" which tells me that more than likely they might be running out of the box set up...easy pickings

The upside to wired; completely secure (unless you open ports within the router to the rest of world) and much faster file sharing between your computers on the LAN.
The downside is running the wires. Either snaking them along the walls and around/over doors or crawling around up in the attic and fishing the lines between the walls (which is what we did)

I have a combo wireless and wired network in my house. A router that is wired only and later got an AirPort hub for the Mac laptops, but we have the security turned on and locked down tight.

 

[Kelemvor]

Definitely get a wireless router. THey don't cost any more than a few bucks more than a non wireless but you get so much more flexibility. All wireless routers also have ports for cables to be plugged in so you can use it both ways.

But like Jack said, you have to get rid of the USB Cable Modem and get a decent one with Ethernet capabilities since the modem has to get plugged into the router. From there, knock yourself out.

The most popular wireless router these days is the LinkSys WRT54G (or GS) so definitely check that out over at newegg.com or somewhere.