BT Home Networking

[725308]

I have got ONE laptop and ONE desktop.

At present I have only got my desktop on BT Broadband using a BT Voyager 105 USB ADSL Modem.

I want to set up a home network so I can get internet on my laptop and connect the 2 computers.

I have been to BT site and do NOT understand any of it but it appears to me that I need this router: http://www.shop.bt.com/invt/cbx136
And then a network card to slot in to my laptop?

Am I right in thinking this and if not what do I need - I want A WIRELESS network!

Many Thanks

[Keef]

No. That will connect your two computers to each other, but won't connect the laptop to the internet (or at least, not without some complicated messing about, and then you'd have to have the desktop on at all times you want to connect the laptop to the internet.)

Question: do you want the laptop to be able to access the Internet when the desktop is turned off? If so, you need a wireless modem and router and a WiFi card for the laptop (unless the laptop already has Wireless connection built in). That replaces your existing modem, whatever that may be.

There are some added advantages to that setup - the firewall in the router will protect you extremely well (as long as you set it up right!)

I've got such a network here, and both my daughters have similar in their houses. The "received wisdom" when I checked with the experts a couple of weeks ago is that the best wireless modem router for home use is the Netgear DG834PN - tech spec here (http://www.netgear.com/products/details/DG834PN.php) and Amazon's price here (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BRYOQ8/qid%3D1139966037/026-0889290-9661241).
If your laptop doesn't have a wireless connection, then I'd go for something like the Motorola WN825G (under £20 on Ebay) or the rather dearer Netgear WPN511 - see here (http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WPN511.php).

The desktop machine will need a Network card if it doesn't already have one - they are available for around a fiver, and fit into any spare slot in your PC.

If you browse around here, you'll find quite a few threads about setting up such a network, but it really is pretty straightforward if you work through the instructions.

[725308]

Many thanks for reply.

From looking at the BT site/BT Shop site I assume that finding a base station for my modem which is BT BROADBAND: BT Voyager 105 USB ADSL MODEM.
This is broadband, it is up to speed of 2.2MB.

I WOULD like to have both computers, desktop and laptop online at the same time. My laptop has the following: Intel Centrion Mobile Technology & Intel Pro Wireless 2200.

Please can you tell me the simplest way to set up a network for 2 computers, WIRELESS and has to be through the BT Voyager 105 USB ADSL Modem.

I would prefer to use network cards, I assume I need one network card for my laptop and then a base station of some sort to transmit the network?

Cheers

[Keef]

It will be extremely complex to set up a network while keeping the USB modem as your broadband connection. You will need to make the desktop PC into a router for the laptop to access the net. I wouldn't be brave enough to go that route - I don't know how to do it, although it is theoretically possible.

Your BT BROADBAND: BT Voyager 105 USB ADSL MODEM is designed to work through a USB port on your computer, and to feed that computer only.

If you want to connect more than one computer, then you need a modem and a router. The configuration I suggested above (or one like it) will do that. My daughter has a BT Broadband connection, and was provided with the same Voyager 105 USB modem; that modem is still in its box (unopened). She has a D-Link ADSL modem router and a D-Link wireless access point and it all works flawlessly.

[Conan the Librarian]

If you are a desperate masochist, you can try other routes, (no pun intended) but for a relatively pain free, flexible, safe and happy experience, Keef is spot on.

Conan

PS There are more ISP provided broadband modems in boxes, acting as paperweights and cluttering up landfill sites every week. There is a reason for this :-)

[725308]

Keef,

Thank you for replies, can you expand on what I need and how I would connect to internet if I got rid of my BT modem?

PM if necessary.

Cheers

[SyllogismCheck]

You only need two things. A wireless modem/router (to replace the USB thing that BT supplied) and a wireless network card for your desktop. From your description, your laptop already has built in wireless capability.


You may also need the means to physically connect one of your machines to the modem/router via an ethernet cable for the simple reason that it may be possible to change certain settings only by doing so. The laptop will have an ethernet port available.

[shuttlebus]

OK guys,

Don't slag of that little BT modem yet.

I got one when I signed up to BT Broadband and you can connect two computers to it. One using USB and one using a proper network port. However, the BT instructions are so poor that the average home user hasn't a hope in hell.....

However, I had already visited the local PC emporium before my connection was activated and purchased a Netgear DG8334GT. (This also came with a USB Wireless adapter f.o.c.)

The netgear is currently running 3 computers by cable, 2 wirelessly and a USB print server.... all with no probelms.

Mind you, I must admit to having to search the internet to get the correct BT settings to allow it to connect. I'm more than willing to share if anyone needs the info....

BT Voyager never came out of the box.... (Although I did have a look around the CD to try and get the BT settings). Admittedly it has been pressed into service at a friend's house feeding two computers as described above (USB and Network) when his existing router suffered an accident....

Regards,

Shuttlebus

[725308]

shuttlebus

Please can you tell me how I would keep the BT Broadband modem and connect ONE laptop wirelessly?

Feel free to PM if necessary.

[shuttlebus]

First off, to answer the question above...

From memory, there is an option to tell the BT router if it connected to a network or a standalone PC (On the BT Broadband page accessed from the shortcut on your desktop from the install of said router) First off, set this to network.

Then head off to your local PC emporium and buy a wireless cable router i.e. Netgear WGR614, WGT624 or Belkin High-Speed Mode Wireless G Router etc and a couple of network cables.

Then wire the BT modem to the wireless access point/router and the wireless access point/router to your PC. You can then set up wireless for the notebook.

Of course, buying an integrated ADSL modem/wireless/router would mean you have only one box, one power supply etc... This is what both I and SyllogismCheck were getting at. Buy an all in one - it is easier!

If you need further info or clarification, feel free to PM.

Thanks,

Shuttlebus

[BDiONU]

Special offer from PCWorld currently. LINKSYS WGKPC354G 54G MODEM ROUTER AND LAPTOP CARD KIT for £49.99 online price.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/459034

For the Desktop PC you'll need a wireless adapter like this BELKIN F5D7050UK 54MBPS WIRELESS G USB NETWORKING ADAPTER at £13.99

BD

[tired-flyboy]

Instead of buying all those extra cards for your tower, why not buy a
BT Voyager 2110 Wireless ADSL Router (http://www.shop.bt.com/icat/homenetworkrouter) and you can connect both your tower and laptop to it.
I used a USB connection to the tower and my laptop was wireless connection. The installation disc tells you all you need to do.
Anything else PM

[shuttlebus]

tired flyboy....

You are arguing for the same thing! Buy a new box. It doesn't matter if it is BT, Netgear, Belkin, Linksys or 3Com. We all agree that a single integrated box is the way to go.

It depends on what 725308 wants to do. In their last post they explicilty asked how to connect wirelessly to ONE LAPTOP using existing BT modem. That is the info I supplied and yes it does take a lot of gear.

I, SyllogismCheck and BDiONU have all argued for the one stop shop option. One box - maximum simplicity. However, that is not the question from 725308. 725308 wants to keep existing modem, cable to desktop PC and wireless to laptop (which will have wireless built-in)...

Shuttlebus

[Keef]

Sorry - been away. Lots of folks are suggesting the same thing: a modem/router with a wireless access point built in. Then you need a cable to join that to the desktop. You will use the desktop to configure the modem/router. End of list of bits needed.

Separately, the laptop will access via wireless. It sounds as if you have a wireless device in the laptop already (built in, as many are).

WHICH wireless modem/router is a game for any number of players. There are lots out there, most of which work OK. All the experience I've had with Belkin has been bad. All the people I've talked to who have the Netgear DG834PN are very happy with it.

Unless you are absolutely wedded to the idea of using that USB device, I'd get the Netgear or any of the others except the Belkin. Then read the fine manual that comes with it. It will take from 5 minutes to 2 hours to set up, depending on a variety of factors.

[born2fly_au]

I am unfamiluar with this particular modem but does it authenticate from your computer or is the user name and password written to the modems software? If it is done through the modem software then you should only have to connect one comuter to the modem via USb and the other via an ethernet cable to the modems ethernet port as per specifications and they should both then be connected directly to the internet. a friend does it that way using a Netcomm 1300.
Allen

[shuttlebus]

Broadband modems authenticate from the modem.

In this case the BT modem is hard-wired (I assume, as I never tried to log on to it). The modem/routers you buy in the shops need to be configured for your ISP.

The secret is getting the correct information to allow your modem/broadband supplier combo to work.

Regards,

Shuttlebus

[born2fly_au]

In that case it should be a simple matter of just connecting another computer by simply plugging it into the spare ethernet port and it should work straight away providing dhcp is turned on. if not simply give the computer a static ip address.
Allen

[coodem]

The voyager 105 USB does not authenticate from the modem. It is a high speed dial up connection from your PC. Hence the software needed to set the username password.

There are ways of sharing with the current set up you have, but you would need a LAN/RJ45 port on each pc (which most PC's these days have) then you would require a x-over cable costs a couple of £'s. Then you Share you internet connection on your desktop PC. And as long as your desktop PC is on you have internet on both at the same time. (there is a bit to set up on the ipconfig on each PC, but this is just a one off)

Now I would strongly avoid the above. It is far more complecated. I would purchase a Netgear 834GT, Some packages come with a Free Wireless USB stick.PCMCIA card. Plug that into your laptop. Then use the Lan cable you get with the 834gt and plug into your PC. You have 1 off simple set up on the 834GT to do which involves entering your username/password. The rest of the defaults are good enough for an average person.

The you just connect any pc to it. Either via a cable(up to 4) or just connect via wireless. I suggest you set up some sort of encryption/access list for your wireless connection. Otherwise anyone within range could potentially connect via your ADSL. Don't let this put you off. It is a 1 off, and I sure you will find all the support you can ever dream of here.

Which ever way you decide. I am quite happy to help