Thread: wireless router basic question

Hi,

I am completely new to wireless world so sorry for my ignorance.

1)
I have been using wired connection (teracom Ethernet DSL 256kbps ) since more than a year. I am planning to shift to wireless.

2)
Is it possible to connect a desktop to Bsnl wireless modem?

3)
Which modem should I take?

4)
I had heard that wireless connections are sometimes slow compared to wired ones. Is that true?



thank you

Answers to your queries:

2) Yes. But you will need a wireless PCI card for the desktop. I have the same setup at home. My wireless router is in different location (in the same room) as my desktop (in the same room on the opposite wall).

3) If you have BSNL connection, you can exchange your wired modem with a wireless modem/router. BSNL may give you some rebate on exchange (not guaranteed).

4) If you are talking about internet browsing, then the statement is not true. Internet will work at either 512 kbps or 1 mbps or 2 mbps - maybe even 8 mbps. The wireless router works at 54 mbps. Wired network usually works at 100 mbps and upto 1 gbps. So internet will be much slower and wireless network will not be a problem.

Hi Just4Kix,

Thanks for the quick response. I wanted clarity on your reply to point 4, so I am asking this again. As you have said that internet may work upto 8mbps and wireless will work at 54mbs, do you mean to say that as wireless speed is more than internet speed, wireless will not be a problem?

Also please suggest me a good wireless pci card and approx cost along with the type of wireless modem that you recommend from bsnl

Exactly. Wireless network will not hamper internet browsing since the speed of wireless is much more than the internet.

You can buy a netgear or d-link or Linksys PCI wireless card from as low as rs. 500 to a max of Rs. 2000. Check the price on e-Bay or Flipkart. Check this one: http://www.ebay.in/itm/Linksys-WMP54...item27beaec18c

I have been using wired connection (teracom Ethernet DSL 256kbps since more than a year. I am planning to shift to wireless.
Ethernet or wireless your speed plan is too low. Will not make much difference.
Check speed here: twice.
http://mybroadbandspeeed.co.uk

My result for 512Kbps connection: On wifi mode. SONY Vaio laptop wifi mode.Beetel110TCI+Beetel 450TCI ( only wifi part working !)
Windows 7 Professional.


If your Teracom model is AR800V3 you have wifi mode available.
Only as suggested in Post(4) a wifi card to be installed.

I am using a wireless modem since over an year now. The speed on wireless is same as what you get through LAN / ethernet cable. The maximum speed that wireless can support is much more than speeds ISPs offer in India. So it is liking riding a bike on a vacant 8 lane road.

To use wireless, you can either get a PCI Wireless card or USB wireless adapter. You can get a decent PCI wireless card for somewhere around Rs. 500 and an USB one for around Rs. 1,000.

BSNL has stopped supplying modems to customers and you need to get either a WiFi modem cum router or a simple WiFi router which can be used with current modem. Belkin, Dlink or Linksys are trusted brands for modems, iBall has some affordable options too. I think a wireless router from iBall comes around Rs. 900.

Speed of the network is as fast as the slowest pipe.

Yep, you can go only as fast your bike will take you.

@Just4kix

I was worried about the wireless speed part as my old neighbour used to complain that the
signal strength becomes weak whenever it used to rain/ was cloudy or due to tall buildings and hence weak signal


@essebebe
Downlaod is 32kB/s and upload is 45kB/s. and modem is Teracome Type 1 model. T1-B-DSL699E9.4U6-5

@meetdilip
Can you kindly tell me
about what you meant by "WiFi modem cum router or a simple WiFi router which can be
used with current modem." as I didn't understand that. In my case, do I need to buy
1. wirless PCI card,
2. router
3. wireless modem

I am shocked to hear that bsnl does not supply modems anymore. I hope that I can return
my existing modem to them so that they can stop charging me rental.Does that mean we have to configure the wireless modem that we buy and they won't provide the settings?



I like this forum very much because all the members are so helpful and answer everything cheerfully.

Diwali Greetings to you and your family members
@essbebe
Downlaod is 32kB/s and upload is 45kB/s. and modem is Teracom Type 1 model. T1-B-DSL699E9.4U6-5
Your model does not have wireless option. confirm.
Teracom Type-I ADSL MODEM MENU

Para two;

OPTION 1:
You may have a deposit of Rs 500/= as security deposit for modem.
Also paid modem rent @ Rs 50/=P.M say for 0ne year Rs 600/=
You can buy outright the modem ( if no problem ,in usage )
by paying another Rs 300/= Plus taxes to OWN the modem.
( 50% of rent charges paid given as discount ).
Give an application if interested.

Option 2 :
NO need for WLAN adapter for a Fixed DESKTOP computer.
@conditions apply!
If your OS is Windows 7 adding a WLAN PCI card , can make the Desktop a wifi access point for a limited range .No need to buy wifi router. !! Additional application required ,

Option 3 :
If you have a laptop computer or smartphones ( cellphones ) with wifi facility, then you have to add a WIFI router to existing ADSL modem . Example NETGEAR WGR614V9 cost approx Rs 1500/=

Option 4 :

If YES to Option 3:

Return the modem to BSNL, and purchase outright a 3-in1 model
ADSLmodem+4portLAN + Wifi router

Example :Iball Baton iBWR61116a/Beetel450TCi/BinatoneDtW 585(?)/Sterlite SAMAx300 /TPlink Td8816/ Tplink 8817 / UTSTARWa3002_g1 etc.
Cost approx Rs 2000/= and above.and many other models. This partial mixed list, shows some models having identical menu options ( some with addl menu/extra settings IPTV/VOIP etc )

Para three :

Speed depends on your tariff plan and upto 2 Mbps speed ( usual choice of most Home users) LAN mode or Wireless Mode,
Data transfer advantage is not much. ( 100 Mbps LAN mode/54Mbps usual speed for old wifi routers. )

Para 4:
I was worried about the wireless speed part as my old neighbour used to complain that the
signal strength becomes weak whenever it used to rain/ was cloudy or due to tall buildings and hence weak signal

Myth or Fact ? later !!!!!

Although I have used the modem for more than a year,i don't want to buy it so option 1 is out.

Option 2 is also out as i have win xp, i believe I cannot follow this option

Option 3 is something i will need later as I don't have a laptop/smartphone but will purchase it later

Option 4 is only what I can go now.
As I plan to purchase laptop/smartphone and also intend to use broadband wirlessly for my desktop also, what I understnad is that I only need to purchase a 3-in1 model
ADSLmodem+4portLAN + Wifi router.

Thnks essbebe.

wish you and your family members also happy diwali

just one more doubt, if I buy the 3 in 1 model, should I still buy the wireless pci card for connecting my desktop wirelessly to the model?

@meetdilip
Can you kindly tell me
about what you meant by "WiFi modem cum router or a simple WiFi router which can be
used with current modem." as I didn't understand that.

A router alone cannot connect you to internet. Those CPEs that BSNL supply are actually modem cum routers. And if want to replace this unit, you need to buy a WiFi modem cum router. But you can use a WiFi router only with your current non WiFi unit supplied by BSNL.

In my case, do I need to buy
1. wirless PCI card,

Yes, if you need to connect your desktop wirlessly or use ethernet cable to connect it wired.

2. router
3. wireless modem

You can either buy a Wireless modem cum router and use your current modem as backup unit. Or buy a Wireless router and use it with exisiting modem.

I am shocked to hear that bsnl does not supply modems anymore. I hope that I can return
my existing modem to them so that they can stop charging me rental.Does that mean we have to configure the wireless modem that we buy and they won't provide the settings?

I prefer paying the rent and keeping the unit as backup, but it is entirely your decision. In my circle, you can take the modem to BSNL exchange and they will configure it for you. Or there are freelancers who now attend BSNL issues (you can get their no. from BSNL office), they will come to your home and set up thing for a fee.

Or you can post the modem details with screen shots here. We can help you configure it.

I like this forum very much because all the members are so helpful and answer everything cheerfully.

So nice of you to say that

Let me be more specific:

1. In your opening post, you said you wanted to move from wired to wireless. For this purpose, you require a wireless router.
2. Next you asked, whether you can connect PC to wireless router. The answer is "yes and no". Now, the wireless router also comes with 1, 2 or 4 ethernet ports. So you can continue to have a wired connection with the wireless router (just like the wired router).
   
   But ... if you wish to move your desktop somewhere else (as in my case), and you do not want to have messy wire (ethernet cable) spoiling the decor of the walls, then you should buy a wireless PCI card for the desktop.
3. You asked whether wireless speed is slower than wired. And then you quoted your friend saying that "wireless speed is affected by cloudy/rainy conditions, tall buildings, etc.". Here you are confusing (or getting confused) between wireless network at home and Wi-Max. Wi-Max is wireless internet service by internet providers. It is a public service. This does get affected by the facts that your friend mentioned.
   
   Wireless at home is different. This is your private network. Wireless at home is also affected. Wireless signal is impeded by distance from the wireless router, walls and their thickness, furniture, etc. Wireless router at home is most effective for a radius of 25 m. So best suited placement is center of the home. But even at the lowest strength (one bar), the wireless connection will work at 16 mbps which is much more than the internet speed.