Re: ot - home network

garyreif@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
hi
sorry I am new.

I want to build a home network. I have earthlink cable for internet.
They advertize that I can get home networking with them for $7.95 a
month. Do I need to do that or can I just go & buy a router?


does anyone make a cable modem/ router all in one?


thanks


There is no reason to pay Earthlink. Assuming that your existing cable modem has an Ethernet connection to your computer (rather than USB), just buy yourself a router. Do NOT buy a combo router/cable modem unless your workspace is so small that you absolutely have no room for a small second box.

If your existing cable modem only has a USB connection, you will have to buy another cable modem in addition to the router, because very few, if any, routers accept USB as their connection to the Internet. In this case, you might get a combo modem/router, although I would still recommend against it.

Try to buy a name brand:
http://www.buffalotech.com/
http://www.linksys.com/
http://www.netgear.com
http://www.dlink.com/

If you want wireless, consider the BUFFALO WHR-HP-G54, which has a built-in amplifier and still is not expensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833162134

I've had good luck with Linksys products.
Based solely on newsgroups posts, such as in microsoft.public.windows.networking.wireless, D-Link, Netgear, and Belkin products seem to have more issues than others, but that's not a scientifically reliable sample.

--
Lem MS MVP -- Networking

To the moon and back with 64 Kbits of RAM and 512 Kbits of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
.

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