Thread: Which Router for Wi-Fi?

Guys, I am a noob into all this.

I have an Airtel Broadband connection at my place with an unlimited plan. I am using a Beetel 220BX1 modem supplied by Airtel.

Now i want a wi-fi connection at my place. Here are a few queries-

1) If i buy a Wi-Fi router, can i connect both my desktop as well as my phone/laptop through it? I mean, would i need to use my present wired modem after that?

Also, I would like to use both if possible. I would like to use the wired modem for my PC & use the wi-fi router only for my Laptop or Phone, so that when i am not using my phone or laptop, i can simply switch off the wi-fi router & use the wired modem for my PC. I feel that would be safer. Chances of anyone misusing my wi-fi would be lower. Is this possible- using both the modem for PC & router for laptop?

2) Which router is good for my airtel connection? airtel does not supply routers now. I enquired at some shops nearby & I was showed Buffallo (with some extra 'security' feature & a 'security' light) for Rs. 1800 & D-Link router for Rs. 1700. which one is good?

3) what are the safety issues with Wi-Fi? How can i protect my connection from misuse?

4) By chance if anyone knows, I have a SE Xperia X10 phone running on Android. I need to access my mails & facebook updates on phone. I hope thats possible through Wi-Fi as i dont wish to use GPRS for that, its too expensive!

Thanks.

If you have a wifi router, you can use it to access net from your phone or from laptop.

If your modem is not a wifi modem, you can use it with a wifi router. You need to buy a wifi router for this. It will have both wifi and ethernet port. Use the ethernet port to connect to desktop and use wifi to connect to your cell phone and laptop.

You can encrypt your connection. If you do that, whoever try to connect to your wifi will be prompted for a password. Only those who know the password can connect.

Thanks for replying buddy. You mean the connection would go like this-

Airtel line - Wired modem - WiFi Router - Desktop

But then, even while using my desktop, i will have to switch on both the modem as well as wi-fi router. is there any alternative such that i need now switch ON the wi-fi router for brownsing net on my computer.

Can i use a splitter in which the main will come from the Airtel line & one of the split will go to wired modem & other will go to wi-fi router? if thats possible, i can individually use both the modem (for my desktop) as well as the wi-fi router (for my phone), irrespective of each other.

Airtel line - Wired modem - WiFi Router - Desktop

Correct. This set up will work if you buy a wifi router. If you want to avoid wired modem, you need to buy a wifi modem cum router. Then you can simply omit wired modem and use

Airtel line - Wifi modem cum router - Desktop/phone/laptop

You just need to configure your modem in PPPoE mode. By doing that you can use all the three (or more) devices simultaneously. Hope it is clear now

Thanks. would such a wifi modem cum router be more expensive?

again the point is, even in this setup, my wi-fi would be ON even if i am just using internet on my desktop. I want to avoid that. any solution? would the splitter work?

There is no harm done even if wifi is ON. Only those who know the password can use it. If you still want to disable wifi, simply log into the modem and disable it. It just 2 minute business.

Disabling the Wi-Fi is possible only in the Wifi modem cum router or is that possible in any normal wi-fi router too?

Also which router is good? D-Link or Buffalo?

Sorry for the plethora of questions... I am super confused!

You can simply switch off the wifi router if you do not want wifi and connect the ethernet cable to wired modem. I have never purchased a modem from open market. Mine is from BSNL (AR800V v3.0).

Sorry for the plethora of questions... I am super confused!

Beetel 220BX(I ) with one lan port and USB port.
+ wifi router ( choice for model/make ???)
(a)
Better, to connect USB port to your desk top.

(b)
Then use the RJ45 from modem.
to connect to Internet port of WIFI router.
You can switch off Desktop and work with laptop.
You can switch of wifi router/laptop &work with Desktop/.
Modem will be "Always ON"

(c)
see in this forum Guide by @Just4kix
and select the wifi router, for which a detailed guide is available.
Beetel 220BX menu pages almost similar to new model Ut 300R2U
wifi router Netgear wgr614 V9 may be.

(d) if you need better range for wifi say Radius of 100 feet, height
say 40 feet etc ))( Height/obstructions also matter)more power output and multiple antennae model required. ( usually dual antennae).
(e)
Or try on rental basis a 3 -in1 wifi model from BSNL Rs 80/=P.M
( similar toAR800V etc ) and get the "feel" of wifi mode
working.
(f)Later buy a new WIFI unit to overcome any problem
experienced with BSNL wifi router.

Presume you are super/super confused now !!!!!!!


feedback item wise.

yes, i am super confused now!

You mean if i connect my desktop to PC via USB cable & connect Wi-Fi router to modem via LAN cable, i can use each other seperately & switch them off individaully.

Also, Beetel or Netgear modem is not available at my place. Only Bufallo & D-Link is available. which one should i buy?

Please see:
A 3 -in 1 unit can be always on .
Try a BSNL unit on rental basis Rs 80 /PM
Switch of desktop/s or laptops as required.

http://www.indiabroadband.net/bsnl-b...odem-wifi.html (Need a ADSL modem with wifi)

Thanks a lot for the info friends. Please tell me your opinion about Netgear.

I went to a computer store nearby & was enquiring about Wi-Fi routers & he had Linksys, Buffalo & D-Link.

Then he showed me this Netgear N150 router. What caught my attention was the box clearly displayed a manual "Wi-Fi On/Off" button on the router. When i asked him about this, he claims this is the only router which has a manual On/Off button for Wi-Fi. I feel its true since i could not locate such a button on any of the other routers which he had. Also, it has 802.11n connectivity. Price is Rs. 1800, what do you think?

From USER MANUAL:
1. WPS button – Turns Push ‘N’ Connect (WPS) security on and off. When wireless security is
enabled, the Push ‘N’ Connect LED on the front of the wireless router is solid green. See
“Push 'N' Connect” on page 3.
2. Wireless On/Off button – Turns the Wireless network on and off. When the Wireless
network is enabled, the Wireless LED on the front of the router is solid green. See “Wireless”
on page 3.....
There is also a POWER ON/OFF switch.
Source Google search : netgearN150 router review.

Thanks a lot for all the help friends. I finally bought a Netgear N150 WGR614 router & i am pleased with its performance, its more than suffiecient for my usage. I bought it for Rs. 1700/- & finally i am using my Xperia X10 to its full potential!

Congrats. How many ports does it have ? ( Ethernet , USB and Wireless)

same as wgr614 v9 with improved facilities.

* NETGEAR Green features — Power and Wi-Fi on/off buttons, Energy Star-compliant power adapter and 80% recycled packaging

* 150MBPS Wireless Router (WGR614v10)
* Five (5) (1 WAN, 4 LAN) Gigabit Ethernet ports
* Wi-Fi Protected Access™ (WPA/WPA2–PSK) and WEP

Netgear WGR614-N150 wireless router has also won the “CHIP Best Value Award” for Netgear WGR 614 in the Router category.

Thanks essbebe. Can't rep, need to spread some.

Thanks guys.

@ Dilip: yes, what essbebe has mentioned is right.

Guys, i hope i have made a good decision... I mean, is the router good enough? My WiFi usage is limited.

And what should i keep in mind regarding safety?

This is what i have done -

1) keep WiFi off whenever not needed, since this router has that provision.
2) I have disabled SSID broadcast.
3) I have changed the password.

Choose any encryption. I am using WPA2 and has set a password.

I have chosen WPA + WPA2. No idea what that means! is that ok?

Any encryption will do.

Check with your wifi mobile or laptop. Make sure it asks for password before getting connected.

Thanks Dilip. Yes, it does ask for the password.

Pleasure .................