Routers again.

[Coldicote]

Sorry to come back on a subject raised many times before, but I'm still struggling to understand. I've treated myself to a laptop and Orange have supplied me with a router. It looks as though it should be easy enough to set up. The router has come with an ethernet cable (and installation CD amongst other bits and pieces) and there are four sockets into which that cable can be plugged.

Can someone please explain the purpose of the ethernet cable and, having plugged one end into the router, what should the other end be plugged into? Is it necessary to set up the router near the desktop PC or can it be set up in another room? Grateful for advice please.

[alanogden]

You use the ethernet cable to set up the router - connect your PC to any of the 4 sockets and follow the instructions from the set-up disc. Once wireless transmission is achieved you can discard the cable only if your PC has a wireless facility otherwise you have to keep the cable which is marginally faster anyway.

Hope this helps, Alan

[Coldicote]

Many thanks Alan.

[AlBags]

Yes .. the ethernet cable is connected to the LAN socket on the router .. and the LAN connector on the PC/Laptop.
Always use a LAN cable if possible .. connection permanent and faster. You can set up the router anywhere within reason, but the LAN cable needs to be connected unless you use wireless. If you use wireless, consider the signal in the areas where you would use the mobile computer, and position the router accordingly!