I've been a bit poorly so been away from Ciao for ages. I'm hoping to be back full-time soon!
I've been a bit poorly so been away from Ciao for ages. I'm hoping to be back full-time soon!
Member since:29.11.2005
Reviews:33
Members who trust:82
When it came to installing a router I didn't have a clue what I was doing! It was a pure impulse purchase, and I was worried when I got home that I might have trouble setting it up. The cd that came with the router made it extremely easy to figure out, though it would have been nice to have a small manual too (these can be downloaded from Linksys site).
When I bought my WRT54GS router for £49.99, I was fortunate to get a free Linksys usb network adapter (worth £39.99). My pc came with a network card and aerial already installed, so I was intending to save the usb adapter for my old pc and have that wireless too.
Using the cd that came with the router, I had it set up within half an hour. The only problem was that my signal kept coming and going - even though the router was only two feet away from the aerial. Out of curiousity I took out my network card and installed the Linksys usb network adaptor instead. It worked perfectly from the beginning. It may just have been a fault with my original network card, but to be on the safe side when I bought another network card for my old pc, I bought another Linksys.
The installation disks for both the usb adaptor and the router were excellent, and very easy to understand - but they only tell you how set up basic security.
You are told to install the router before the network card, and all you need to do is follow the simple instructions on the cd. You do need to know which sort of ip you have - a dynamic or a static one (ntl's are dynamic - as are most others, so set the router to DHCP). When it offers you encryption there are four choices - WEP 64-bit, WEP 128-bit and two WPA encryptions. As WPA is more secure, I selected that. All you have to do is type a word or words in, which is then encrypted and forms a key for your router.
For anyone who's unsure how to fit an internal network card in their pc, I advise you try a usb network adaptor. They aren't as tidy as fitted network cards, but they're easier to fit. Simply put in the disk which comes with it, and it tells you exactly what to do - basically you just plug the network adaptor into a spare usb port and the software does the rest of the work.
The only things I would like to have seen is a manual in the box with the router (rather than the leaflet they give you), and more information on the web-based utility, which you can log into to configure your router.
I now know about permitting/blocking MAC addresses, and disabling the SSID broadcast, but that's only because I've taken the time to find out. On the internet utility page you are asked to enable or disable the SSID name being broadcast. By default this is set to enable, which basically means that anyone nearby searching for a wireless network will get yours listed on their screen. By disabling it they can't see your network - which therefore makes it harder for them to get on it.
To find out your MAC address go to run on the start menu and type "ipconfig /all" (without the quote marks -and leaving a space between the g and /). If this doesn't work, type command, and then when your window opens type in the "ipconfig / all". This brings a list up with your ip address etc on. Take down the numbers/letters at the side of 'pyhsical address' - usually 12 digits - this is your personal MAC address.
Next, go back to the web-page utility for the router and go to the section for wireless MAC filters (under the 'wireless' tab for this router). You are given the option to permit only or block a set of MAC addresses. Choose 'permit only' then add your MAC address to the list. If you are setting up other computers through the same router you must also add their MAC addresses to the list ( you are allowed upto 40!). This means that the router will only work for those particular addresses so no-one else can use it.
It's assumed by Linksys that anybody wanting to go wireless will already know how to do it, but with many of my friends and family that's not been the case. I can't say that you'd get any more help from a different brand of router, and there is lots of information on Linksys website. With so many people wanting to go wireless though, it would have be nice to make things absolutely clear, so that people's wireless networks can be completely secure.
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On the subject of security - for the home user, I believe that MAC (Media Authentication Code) filtering (i.e. allowing only wireless adapters with specific MAC ID's into your network) is all that is required.
Other security measures are not necessary and can sometimes cause problems with printers for example.
The only people who will be able to detect your wireless network will be those within 50ft or so i.e. your neighbours or somebody sat on your doorstep with a WIFI laptop - if they can get past MAC filtering they are certainly experts and any other security you set up won't stop them.
Rob099 29.06.2006 09:44
As always , your reviews are detailed and informative - personally I have not used this router, but know a neighbour who has - they asked me to help install it as they were having problems - as you say installation is straightforward - however, the free USB WIFI adapter which came with the router was quite silly - a box about 1/3 the size of the router with a 3" flying lead - pretty awkward to use with a laptop or desktop (you need a USB extension cable to make it useable) - anyway the one my neighbour had didn't work very well when more than 8 feet from the router - the router worked fine with a DLINK USB WIFI adapter of mine.
mmpr 22.06.2006 08:03
I have a D-Link DSL-G604T which means the kids can access the internet (monitored of course!) on the other machine. ~ Mark
Apr 19th, 2006
(May 26th, 2006)
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