Wireless routers
 

My mother-in-law needs a wireless router. She is subscriber to Suddenlink cable. She is a typical non technical computer user. I am always her technical support.

My question is simple, is there any reason a standard off the shelf wireless router will have any setup problems on her system? She runs a Windows XP computer.

The real reason for the wireless router is to set up Apple TV. She wants a way to display her photos on the tv, and to be able to stream HD movies. For 99 bucks apple TV seems the easy way to do it.

Any recommendations on which wireless router to buy?

I was all on board with a Linksys suggestion until you said it was for the Apple TV. Maybe things have changed, and I'd hope they would have, but Apple didn't like to play well on 'other' networks.

I just replaced a NetGear that worked fine for 4 years, then toasted itself. I have two Macs, a wireless printer, and an Apple TV. I got a Linksys which works fine except the initial connection to devices is a few seconds slower.

As long as your talking about routers, someone suggested as an added security wall, even though I have no server, just a few (total of 3 macs & 3 regular pc's), I should add a router. Isn't a router just a dumb box which lets data through, and no firewalls or security sniffers? Presently I have a AT&T wireless DSL, but do plan on switching over to Comcast Cable Modem.
Thanks,
Robert Faust
Redwood City, CA

Get a netgear, I've played with Linksys, Belkin, and Netgear, and the netgear has by far been the best.

I purchased an extra AirPort Extreme Wireless-N Base Station (MB763LL/A) in case anyone is interested. Comes with 10 months remaining on warranty.

Sherwood

Almost all wireless routers for consumers include firewall functionally these days.

The "dumb box" would be a switch normally. A router can create a DMZ for you and handle the routing between the private and your public side.

On a normal "business type" network you have your external firewall, that connects to the router, that in turn connects to the switch. Your devices are connected to the switch.

In the Comcast example they will give you a "modem" after that you should install your router/firewall/wireless device behind that.

I replaced an old Linksys WRT54G with an Apple Airport Extreme and have been really happy. Like most Apple stuff it is easy to set up, reliable, and looks nice. Also, it's expensive.

The netgear is super simple and cheaper than the apple. Also your local radioshack should have a nice sale on a netgear G this week. ;)

also, the firewall is a "real" one i.e in hardware, not just a software construct

the general idea is also to push the defense as far to the edge of the network - or so sez a guy who does both network defense and tai chi - and he is really really good at both...

I had 3 Linksys routers and router/access point. They lasted a year each. I went to Netgear (fine) and then to Apple (fine). Avoid Linksys.

I ended up ordering a NETGEAR WNR2000 Wireless-N Router

Wireless N is the new faster standard and it is backwards compatible. I looked at the Apple Wireless Extreme but that sucker is EXPENSIVE. It should be fun at the MIL's house. Setting up a new router and Apple TV. It is all "plug and play" so just 10 or 15 minutes total right?

I think you will be happy with the router, mine hasn't given any problems since I turned it on in June. My old belkin crashed like weekly.

Don't worry too much about the speed of the wireless. If you're like most people your outbound connection is probably around 15-20 MB. Wireless "G" for instance is around 54mb so you won't even need that. You might be moving large files inside your network that could use a lot more, but I bet a lot of home users don't do that.

She's wanting to stream HD movies. She's going to need local bandwidth.

Should still be fine with most any router, what's the normal streaming rate? 9mb/min as I recall. I remember the absolute minimum required was 3mb/min.

Our Linksys router has been trouble free since we plugged it in four years ago. We have a 2 Windows XP laptops and one desk top PC on the system now.

+1. No issues at all w/ my Linksys wireless router. Has been in use for nearly 4 years. It's feeding 1 XP PC, 1 Vista laptop and a web enabled wireless HP printer.