Looking for wired router

Hi guys

I'm looking for a new wired router. Here's my actual network setup:


Modem - - Wired router - - Wireless router (WRT150N)

The desktops (3) are connected to the wired router, the laptops to the wireless router.

The wired router must be compatible with the WRT150N wireless router (and vice versa). I prefer one with usb ports. Budget: 70$ max.

As regards the use of a printer in a network: do you simply have to plug in the printer on the router or does the printer require a built-in adapter? The printer we have at home is a Samsung ML 2010.

Thanks,
Gilles F.

 

Just out of curiosity, why not plug the modem and the desktops straight into the WRT150N and drop the wired router? It had a 4-port switch on it, right?

For the printer, one way is to connect it to one of the desktops and turn on printer sharing. That's how I have mine set up, it works fine and doesn't require buying any hardware.

 

What he said. Wireless routers have at least 4 ports to share the connection with wired computers.

If your printer is not a wireless printer or does not have the ability to do so, you can connect it to a computer that is always on, is connected to the wireless router and set up printer sharing.

 

Hi,

the wireless router is located downstairs and the wired router upstairs. I use two routers since the use of only one router would require me to drill a lot of new holes in the walls and install new cables etc ...
Moreover, we have thick walls and if we setup the wireless router upstairs, we will have limited connection downstairs.

 

just a thought...have you looked at your local trade and sell publications...maybe you could buy a cheap used pc for less than what you are trying to do...have it be your always on pc with printer hooked to it...

 

We already have such a pc and the printer is connected to that one but not to the network. Will try that later.

Any suggestions for the router?

 

try the Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch (BEFSR41), cheap and VERY reliable........

also, I have not tried them, but Netgear's new Powerline Ethernet adapters are getting some good reviews. They have worked out the bugs and you can turn your power outlets into internet hookups..... on sale at bestbuy.........and cover your entire house......

 

So the modem and the wired router is upstairs and you want to reach the second router (downstairs) using the airways, right?

The printer can be connected directly to the wired router if is equiped with the right interface, or you can get a D-Link printer hub (USB) and connect the printer to one of its ports, and the hub Ethernet cable to the the router. I don't like to connect a printer to another computer because you loose it when that computer is off or in trouble.

 

You can also bring the printer into the wireless age on its own if you set up with a wireless print-server, such as the Netgear WGPS606. I've had pretty good results with the Netgear. In addition, it can serve as a wired-to-wireless access point for up to four wired PCs as it has 4 ethernet ports in addition to the two USB printer ports.

 

This is very interesting, however, I do have some questions:

- Will it work with any printer, even those that do not have a WiFi adapter?
- Is it possible to connect an external HDD to it?
- Will it downgrade my Internet speed to G? The WRT150N has N-draft.

 

If the printer is network ready it will have a nic port or a slot for one. I have had poor luck with print servers but have not tried the netgear.

You could just add a switch to your current setup to expand the main routers ports. The D-link DGS2205 sells for around $25 or the 8 port version for $45.

I have a 8 port router (FVS-338) which is expanded to a 16 port switch with 2 other routers connected. 1 is used as a AP the other as a router on a seperate subnet for isolation. You should have your main router handling all of the DHCP functions. That way the 150 only has to deal with the WPA and act as a dumb switch.

 

1) Yes. If the printer already had a wifi adapter, it wouldn't need to be connected to a wireless print server, would it?

2) Don't know, but I would suspect that any external HDD that is set up to be used as network storage should work when connected to it - at least to one of the 4 ethernet ports.

3) I have no real idea since I currently only have b/g systems, even though I have a dual-channel, N-capable router, but I doubt it, except when it's sending/receiving, but then it's got a monopoly on the network anyway so the point is mostly academic.