Wi-Fi Question

[MRGOOCH]

What is the difference between a PCI wi fi adapter and a router. Which do I need to make my desktop wireless? I have a broadband cable connection.

 

[JackMDS]

You need a Wireless Router connected to the Modem (unless your Modem is a Combo Modem/Router), and a Wirless PCI card to connect to the Wireless Router.

http://www.ezlan.net/router.jpg

 

[MRGOOCH]

Does this creat a Hot Spot that can used with a Tablet?

 

[Ghiedo27]

A wireless router takes your internet connection (along with other network traffic) and transmits it into your home for your computers to connect to. In order for them to connect to the router they each need to have a wifi adapter. You need both.

What do you plug your computer into for internet access now? A model number would be the most useful information (like SB5120).

 

[MRGOOCH]

A Motorola Modem. SB-5120
My goal is to be able to use a Tablet.

 

[serpretetsky]

Does this creat a Hot Spot that can used with a Tablet?

yes, the wireless router will create a hotspot for your tablet to connect to. Any devices that don't have wireless built-in will need a wireless adapter to connect to the wifi hotspot.

 

[MRGOOCH]

yes, the wireless router will create a hotspot for your tablet to connect to. Any devices that don't have wireless built-in will need a wireless adapter to connect to the wifi hotspot.

And I still need an adapter for my desktop?

 

[Ghiedo27]

If you want to connect the desktop wirelessly you'll need a wifi adapter for it, but if it's convenient you can just plug it into the wireless router the way it's plugged into the modem now. The wired connection if faster and more stable, anyways.

 

[MRGOOCH]

I am still confused. I am only concerned with getting WiFi in my home for using a Tablet.

 

[JackMDS]

Most Tablets have WIFI installed in.

If you do not have Wireless Router buy one.

Connect the Router to the Modem and to a regular computer through wire (needs this for configuration).

Read the manual how to configure it and then read the manual of the tablet on how to set it to connect to the Wireless Router through the Wireless.

Example, http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/connect-ipad-to-wireless-network/

 

[serpretetsky]

I am still confused. I am only concerned with getting WiFi in my home for using a Tablet.

it sounds like you don't care whether your desktop is wireless or not, as long as it had internet. In that case, here is what I'm assuming you have:

a) a modem
b) an ethernet cable (cat5/6) going from the modem to the desktop.

you want to buy just a wifi router.
The wireless router will give you:
a) AC adapter
b) wifi router
c) extra ethernet cable.

You will wire your setup this way:
Wall--(coax or phone)---||modem||--(cat5/6)--||wifi router||--(cat5/6)--||desktop||.

The wifi router will simulatenously give you wifi signal for your tablet as well as feed your desktop internet through ethernet (cat5/6)

 

[mammador]

Whilst all tablets by design have wifI NICs, there needs to be a network broadcasting wifi for the NIC to respond to. A NIC BTW means network interface card (or controller). It is the device used to physically connect a computer to a network, and from which all network data is sent/received.

I would suggest buying a wifi NIC for the desktop also. This way, should you ever need to move the desktop, you wouldn't have to re-position the modem and router given the wired connection.