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I have a need for a Router that I can plug into my ethernet network. NOT wireless, since I have an Airport Express.
Does anyone out there have JUST a router??? 8 Port would be perfect?
Mac OS X compatible...brand name and model number would help lots!!
Do you have one you hate?? Let me know that too!!
Thanks
RichL
I need just a Router. Can you suggest which?
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#2
HMB 
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Posted 13 April 2005 - 09:14 AM
If you are going to spend the money to buy a router, consider the advantage of buying a wireless router since it won't cost you all that much more. You could then configure the Airport Express as a wireless client to the wireless router - providing you with the freedom to locate the Airport Express anywhere within wireless range of the router. As for wireless router recommendations - I suggest the Linksys WRT54G. If you do still want a basic wired router with a built in ethernet 8-port switch, any model from your local computer shop from the big names in the business will do (Belkin, D-Link, Netgear, or Linksys). These devices are virtually commodity items, and it makes little difference what model you buy. MacOS compatibility is not really an issue - all these devices are "platform independent" and can be configured from a web browser running on any computer.
8-port routers (wired or cabled) are not as easy to come by as their 4-port versions, and tend not to be as heavily price-discounted. It could be less expensive to buy a 4-port wired/wireless router and uplink it to a 4- or 8-port ethernet switch.
8-port routers (wired or cabled) are not as easy to come by as their 4-port versions, and tend not to be as heavily price-discounted. It could be less expensive to buy a 4-port wired/wireless router and uplink it to a 4- or 8-port ethernet switch.
#5
HMB
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Posted 13 April 2005 - 03:33 PM
An Airport Express can be configured as a wireless client to all WiFi routers, which will allow the Express to be used for wireless printing and iTunes streaming.
Very few WiFi routers support Apple's implementation of a "wireless distribution system" (WDS) - which only means that one cannot configure an Airport Express for use in "WDS remote mode". "WDS remote mode" allows one to use the Airport Express to wirelessly extend the wireless range of a wireless router, and to make the ethernet port of the Express active.
To answer RichL's question regarding "ease of configuration for client mode" I would have to say that it is usually easy, and that complications with the setup are almost always because of difficulties people run into setting up wireless security on the wireless router and the Express so that the two can be allowed to communicate with each other.
Very few WiFi routers support Apple's implementation of a "wireless distribution system" (WDS) - which only means that one cannot configure an Airport Express for use in "WDS remote mode". "WDS remote mode" allows one to use the Airport Express to wirelessly extend the wireless range of a wireless router, and to make the ethernet port of the Express active.
To answer RichL's question regarding "ease of configuration for client mode" I would have to say that it is usually easy, and that complications with the setup are almost always because of difficulties people run into setting up wireless security on the wireless router and the Express so that the two can be allowed to communicate with each other.
#7
RichL
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Posted 13 April 2005 - 05:58 PM
In reply to:
To answer RichL's question regarding "ease of configuration for client mode" I would have to say that it is usually easy, and that complications with the setup are almost always because of difficulties people run into setting up wireless security on the wireless router and the Express so that the two can be allowed to communicate with each other.
To answer RichL's question regarding "ease of configuration for client mode" I would have to say that it is usually easy, and that complications with the setup are almost always because of difficulties people run into setting up wireless security on the wireless router and the Express so that the two can be allowed to communicate with each other.
I live in the woods in NH. I don't have any security turned on. My nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away.
Would that make this easier to set up??
Is it intuitive to set up???
I'm kinda new at this....
Thanks
RichL
#8
HMB
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Posted 13 April 2005 - 07:19 PM
With no wireless security of any kind implemented on the wireless router, configuring the Airport Express as a wireless client is extremely easy.
No, there are no wireless routers you should avoid if all you want to do is use the Airport Express in client mode. However, my recommendation of a Linksys WRT54G allows you to use all operating modes of the Airport Express since it is one of the few third-party routers that allows use of the Airport Express in either "client mode" or "WDS remote mode".
No, there are no wireless routers you should avoid if all you want to do is use the Airport Express in client mode. However, my recommendation of a Linksys WRT54G allows you to use all operating modes of the Airport Express since it is one of the few third-party routers that allows use of the Airport Express in either "client mode" or "WDS remote mode".
#9
RichL
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Posted 14 April 2005 - 09:14 AM
In reply to:
With no wireless security of any kind implemented on the wireless router, configuring the Airport Express as a wireless client is extremely easy.
With no wireless security of any kind implemented on the wireless router, configuring the Airport Express as a wireless client is extremely easy.
This is something I can set up using the Airport set up program?
Very helpful...
Thanks
RichL
#10
RichL
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Posted 14 April 2005 - 02:48 PM
The WRT54G has 4 ports. I have an ethernet hub with a laser printer, other computers in the house connected etc....using 6-7 ports of an 8 port hub.
Can I plug the hub into the router??? Will that work??
Thanks again...
RichL
Can I plug the hub into the router??? Will that work??
Thanks again...
RichL
#11
HMB
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Posted 15 April 2005 - 06:18 AM
RichL - yes, you can usually use the guidance of the Airport Setup Assistatant to perform the configuration for you. With a basic setup, the alternative of doing a manual configuration of the Express with the Airport Admin Utility is also very easy.
Yes, you can uplink any 4-port router to another ethernet switch. Some routers and/or switches provide a specific uplink port for this purpose, so you can use a regular ethernet cable to connect the two. If neither device has an uplink port, you can use an ethernet "crossover" cable to link the two.
Yes, you can uplink any 4-port router to another ethernet switch. Some routers and/or switches provide a specific uplink port for this purpose, so you can use a regular ethernet cable to connect the two. If neither device has an uplink port, you can use an ethernet "crossover" cable to link the two.
#14
HMB
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Posted 18 April 2005 - 06:57 AM
In a one-word answer - no.
Internet routers are platform-independent, which means they work with any computer system running any operating system. Linksys won't be terribly interested in providing phone support to you if you happen to mention you are a Mac user - that's all it means. The WRT54G is a very popular router so if you run into trouble and need support, help will be easy to find here and on all other Mac support discussion forums.
Internet routers are platform-independent, which means they work with any computer system running any operating system. Linksys won't be terribly interested in providing phone support to you if you happen to mention you are a Mac user - that's all it means. The WRT54G is a very popular router so if you run into trouble and need support, help will be easy to find here and on all other Mac support discussion forums.
