We have one internet connection, and two people/computers. Now, I can fix this situation with a router, right? How much do those cost? Where can I get one? What am I looking for in a router? Help?
Yes, you can fix it with one. They're pretty cheap, especially if you get it on a sale, rebate-sale, or used. (I've seen them go for as low as $26 brand-new at CompUSA. I paid rather more for mine, but that was years ago.)
My father, my brother, and I all use NetGear MR814 routers. It's very easy to work with (basically, you plug it in and that's it)... It can take both wireless and wired connections, so it's cool whichever way you want to use it.
zathras26 uses a D-Link wired/wireless one, but it's an evil biotch I would recommend avoiding. (I haven't had happy times with D-Link stuff.)
If you buy the cheapest D-Link, Netgear, or Linksys router you can find, you can't really go wrong (they cost $50-60ish, possibly as cheap as $40). You don't really need a wireless one, I'd imagine, but usually they're about the same price anyway, if you want that capability later.
You don't need a router -- you can use your computer as a router, as you correctly surmise. It's just that that's not the preferred method for various reasons... it's better to use a router.
Using a separate hardware router is generally more stable and more secure than using your computer as a router. Not to mention which, if you want to use your computer as a router, you also have to install a second NIC in your computer. That's not difficult, but it's also something that a lot of people don't want to mess around with.
A "NIC" is a network interface card, which is what you use to connect to the Internet. Most computers have only one NIC. If you want to use your computer as a router, you have to have two.
It sounds like yours already has two installed, in which case it would be a lot simpler for you to set up your computer for use as a router. It's still better to have a separate router, but using your computer as a router will work OK, too.
Yes, you can fix it with one. They're pretty cheap, especially if you get it on a sale, rebate-sale, or used. (I've seen them go for as low as $26 brand-new at CompUSA. I paid rather more for mine, but that was years ago.)
My father, my brother, and I all use NetGear MR814 routers. It's very easy to work with (basically, you plug it in and that's it)... It can take both wireless and wired connections, so it's cool whichever way you want to use it.
zathras26 uses a D-Link wired/wireless one, but it's an evil biotch I would recommend avoiding. (I haven't had happy times with D-Link stuff.)
If you buy the cheapest D-Link, Netgear, or Linksys router you can find, you can't really go wrong (they cost $50-60ish, possibly as cheap as $40). You don't really need a wireless one, I'd imagine, but usually they're about the same price anyway, if you want that capability later.
You don't need a router -- you can use your computer as a router, as you correctly surmise. It's just that that's not the preferred method for various reasons... it's better to use a router.
Using a separate hardware router is generally more stable and more secure than using your computer as a router. Not to mention which, if you want to use your computer as a router, you also have to install a second NIC in your computer. That's not difficult, but it's also something that a lot of people don't want to mess around with.
A "NIC" is a network interface card, which is what you use to connect to the Internet. Most computers have only one NIC. If you want to use your computer as a router, you have to have two.
It sounds like yours already has two installed, in which case it would be a lot simpler for you to set up your computer for use as a router. It's still better to have a separate router, but using your computer as a router will work OK, too.
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My father, my brother, and I all use NetGear MR814 routers. It's very easy to work with (basically, you plug it in and that's it)... It can take both wireless and wired connections, so it's cool whichever way you want to use it.
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http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298420&pfp=cat3
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I can confirm, however, that they're not nifty enough to not blow up if you plug them into a British plug without changing the voltage first...
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Ie. Do you need a router & why?
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My computer has software to set one up.
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Why isn't it the preferred method?
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It tells me there's a network cable unplugged.
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It sounds like yours already has two installed, in which case it would be a lot simpler for you to set up your computer for use as a router. It's still better to have a separate router, but using your computer as a router will work OK, too.
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Yeah, it came with all sorts of cool stuff.
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My father, my brother, and I all use NetGear MR814 routers. It's very easy to work with (basically, you plug it in and that's it)... It can take both wireless and wired connections, so it's cool whichever way you want to use it.
no subject
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http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298420&pfp=cat3
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I can confirm, however, that they're not nifty enough to not blow up if you plug them into a British plug without changing the voltage first...
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Ie. Do you need a router & why?
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My computer has software to set one up.
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Why isn't it the preferred method?
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It tells me there's a network cable unplugged.
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It sounds like yours already has two installed, in which case it would be a lot simpler for you to set up your computer for use as a router. It's still better to have a separate router, but using your computer as a router will work OK, too.
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Yeah, it came with all sorts of cool stuff.