help total newbie here, router or if possible switch?

[tempo123]

Hi all, at the moment I haven t a dreambox but soon I ll treat myself to one (birthday present)!! My problem is that at the moment I have a simple adsl broadband wired modem that came with my telephone provaioder...so very basic and allow ony one computer at the time on the web. To be honest I like the idea of wired modems so no wireless staff for me if possible.
Can I buy a simple network switch with 4 ports and attach to one port my modem and on other 2 my computer and my eventually dreambox?
To do that I'll have probably to run about 20m of ethernet cable from where the computer and phone line is and the telly in the lounge. Is that going to be a problem for the dreambox?
many thanks

 

[gandalfthegrey]

Hi tempo..have you looked at network plugs?....do a google on them,may suit your needs.
gandalf

 

[Lazarus]

I would urge you to reconsider going Wireless .............. I too was a hard-wired luddite until getting a new Laptop a few weeks ago. Blagged from my ISP a 4 Port Wireless Router (allows both wired and wireless connections at the same time) for p&p cost only.

Never looked back. Dead easy to set up, create a Network etc. Simples.

 

[tempo123]

Yes I did and they look expensive comparing with a bit of cable, I don t mind cabling because I am doing up my place so lifting a few floor boards won t be a problem.
My problem is shallI buy a router or i can go away with a network switch that they are cheaper.---every pennie counts.many thanks for your quick reply

 

[Llew]

To do that I'll have probably to run about 20m of ethernet cable from where the computer and phone line is and the telly in the lounge. Is that going to be a problem for the dreambox?
many thanks

That won't be a problem. I have my router 25m away from my Dreambox. Try to avoid sharp bends and don't run right up close to mains cabling for any distance.

 

[Lazarus]

Yes I did and they look expensive comparing with a bit of cable, I don t mind cabling because I am doing up my place so lifting a few floor boards won t be a problem.
My problem is shallI buy a router or i can go away with a network switch that they are cheaper.---every pennie counts.many thanks for your quick reply

My "upgrade" from Wired to Wireless cost £4.95 .............. If you've been with your ISP for over 12 months I feel sure they let you have one for similar outlay.

Cheaper than laying in cable ....................... ??? !!!

 

[Huevos]

at the moment I have a simple adsl broadband wired modem that came with my telephone provaioder

What type of connection is there between the PC and the modem? Is it USB or Ethernet? If it is USB it is not a nailed up connection, there's no LAN, and no hardware firewall. If that is the case you couldn't use that with a Dreambox so it would have to be updated anyway. A wireless router would be the logical way forward in any either case; you can always switch off the wireless if you don't want to use it... but you can never switch it on in the future if the router doesn't have it.

 

[td03-5]

Hi @tempo123,

I fully agree with @Huevos, a hardware firewall in a proper router is essential.
Although most routers will have a firewall, many do not have the ability to control or carry out, things that a Dreambox user will or may need to do!

Please see my comments in the other thread:
http://www.satellites.co.uk/forums/dreambox500/180593-router-dreambox-500s.html#post942141

My DM7000S is connected by Ethernet LAN cable, only my computers use wireless.

Best wishes, John.

 

[tempo123]

OK, at the moment I have a ethernet cable connected between computer and modem(smart ax mt882, and my isp is the on that advertise on x-factor---->don t really know if I can write names in here, not read all the rules yet so don t want to make any troubles). I suppose this is good.
Could you please tell me how can I find if my modem has an hardware firewall, not sure about this thing.
Second question, if I go down the route of buying a Netgear DG834 series router how can I switch off the wireless and use only the phisical ports on it?I always tought that this kind of routers have always working with the wireless on, so basically there is a kind of switch for deactivate the wireless?

 

[Burnham Beech]

Most routers have an integrated hardware firewall as does the SmartAX MT882 apparently.

If you want to hardwire from your router to a satellite receiver there is no need to turn off the wireless facility.

 

[Huevos]

Most routers have an integrated hardware firewall

Routers do (because they have to route), but with Modems like the old BT USB ones that were popular a few years ago the computer is connected directly to the net and has to rely solely on its software firewall.

 

[td03-5]

Hi @tempo123,

If you do want to turn off WiFi in a router (or set any of the other useful features), then you log-in to the routers admin pages using a web browser (A router usually takes the first address in the range that it allocates.). In much the same way that you log-in the the Enigma Webif of a Dreambox.
I have attached a screen grab of part of the WiFi setup in a DG834. Just uncheck the box 'Enable Wireless Access Point' and it becomes just a 4 port ethernet router. Other routers may have similar facilities in their admin pages.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes, John.