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    Wireless routers

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by AmazingGracePlayer, Dec 1, 2008.

  1. AmazingGracePlayer

    AmazingGracePlayer Notebook Deity

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    Just a general/dumb question because I barely know anything about routers, never owned one myself. I want to buy a wireless router because I don't want to have to go to my desk to use my laptop (afterall, it's a laptop). I go to college, and I'm always on the school's network, and here we have an upload/download limit from outside of the school's network. So, is it possible to put a password on a wireless router so that only I can use it? Can I put a password on any type of router or only the type that has the feature?
     
    AmazingGracePlayer, Dec 1, 2008
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  2. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Short answer: Yup.

    Almost every wireless router today comes with some sort of encryption and authentication which only permits computers that know the "secret handshake" to use the wireless network.
     
    Shyster1, Dec 1, 2008
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  3. AmazingGracePlayer

    AmazingGracePlayer Notebook Deity

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    I have a Dell Wireless 1390 Wireless Mini-Card, can I use G or N airports?
     
    AmazingGracePlayer, Dec 4, 2008
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  4. acruxksa

    acruxksa Notebook Consultant

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    The 1390 is a wireless G card so you should have no trouble connecting to a G router. N routers can be backwards compatible with wireless G as well, but would depend on how it's configured.

    You could buy an N router, but wouldn't be able to take full advantage of it unless you changed the wireless card in your laptop. If you're planning to move to N in the future it might be worth the extra cash to get the N router now. Personally I'd just save the cash and go with a G router. N prices will come down in the future and there's no telling what other improvements will be made along the way.
     
    acruxksa, Dec 4, 2008
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  5. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Make sure your college allows routers. They can actually block this or find out.

    If its okay then go for a decent wireless G router and enjoy the power of wireless internet.
     
    flipfire, Dec 4, 2008
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  6. AmazingGracePlayer

    AmazingGracePlayer Notebook Deity

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    AmazingGracePlayer, Dec 6, 2008
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  7. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Shyster1, Dec 6, 2008
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  8. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    Most colleges have wireless now. They will issue you a user name and password to access the system. If you do buy a router you can secure it with encryption. For dLink you can access the router if you type in 192.168.0.1 on the address bar of any browser (I use IE). You have to connect directly to the router (wire) instead of wireless to change the settings.
     
    kanehi, Dec 8, 2008
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  9. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Depends on which settings you're changing.
     
    Shyster1, Dec 8, 2008
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