which router???

[ianthe plumb]

Im on broadband on family pc downstairs ntl cable broadband. My 13 year old wants to go online in his bedroom upstairs, now the mrs wants a laptop to go online wirelessly in the lounge??/any ideas guys a confused plumber

[Ethel]

I am on Telewest broadband (a cable provider now merged with NTL) and have been using my Linksys router happily for 12 months.

Excellent range and easy to set up and secure.

[vehelpfulguy]

There are two main types of Router - one for ADSL (phone line) and one for cable (NTL or Telewest).

Obviously make sure you get one for cable.

A router can be wired, so you have to connect to it via wires, or wireless, in which case it will support WIRED and WIRELESS.

You obviously want a wireless one.

Finally you can connect your router to your modem via an ETHERNET cable or a USB cable.

See how your existing PC connects to your Modem, and make sure your router supports that type of cable.

Sorry if all this sounds confusing but there are a lot of different things you need to check to make sure you get the correct router.

(And if you think all that is confusing wait till you try to connect everything to the router !)

[vehelpfulguy]

Like Ethel I am also with Telewest, and they provide some forums where Telewest customers can ask each other for support and advice.

I assume NTL do the same.

I suggest you go on one of these NTL forums and ask people there. Because they are NTL customers they will suggest the correct router for your setup.

If you do get a wireless router you will need to buy a wireless card for your sons PC, and make sure your wife's laptop also has a wireless card (if it is not already built in)

[fo3nix]

The nice cable operators use modems with RJ-45 outputs (to my knowledge, anyway), so any wireless router will do fine for you.

Good brands are Linksys, Belkin, Netgear, and a few others. This is one such example as something suitable. Any device that wants wireless access will also need an adapter plugged into the back of it. This package includes one for you, or you can just buy them separately. Note also that many laptops now come with wireless built-in, so your wife's laptop may not need one.

[ianthe plumb]

thanks guys thats a great help..

[stevie21]

fo3nix - are you sure that any wireless router will do? I'm certain that only particular ones work on NTL & Telewest. I'd look for the type of forum vehelpfulguy suggested and get a router that an existing customer already uses. They can also tell you how to stop your neighbours using your connection wirelessly.

[UKbloke04]

I am on Telewest myself,and have a Belking wireless router and network cards,so they will work for Telewest customers :)

[fo3nix]

stevie: ANY wireless router will do.

however, many come with ADSL modems, and these will not do. but these aren't just wireless routers, these are wireless routers with ADSL modems.

[fo3nix]

(this is exactly the complication vehelpfulguy was talking about btw). finally, i was writing my answer before vehelpfulguy had posted, so my answer did not take his into account.

[stevie21]

Ah, right. My mistake. I tend to just always look for a combined modem/router.
I think the NTL forum's a good idea though so that you can get help with setting up the router and it's security features etc.

ebuyer.com is also a good place to buy from as each product has reviews from people who have bought and used them.