🚀 go-pugleaf

A better solution, although it might cost more, would be to connect a 
Wireless Access Point (WAP) to the switch.  A wireless router IS a 
router, a switch and a wirless access point all in a single box.  In 
your case, you already have the router (only single port) as part of 
your Westell DSL modem.  If you need more ports, you could replace the 4 
port switch with an 8 port switch.  That's the logically "right" way to 
do this, but it may actually cost more than just buying a wireless 
router.  However, that would connect a router to a router.  While this 
can be made to work, it's not really the architecturally "right" way to 
do it.  I think that there is an option in the Westell modem to turn of 
the router (more correctly, to turn off NAT ... network address 
translation; "expose" the computer to a public rather than a private IP 
address).

Interestingly, on woot.com, they are having a "woot off" today, and they 
had a Linksys 802.11b Wireless Access Point for $9.99.  However, it's 
over now.  But woot.com is worth checking out, it's a unique site.

(look up woot.com on wikipedia for background info before actually going 
to the site).


Scotty wrote:
> Currently I have a Westell 2100 DSL Modem which as I understand is a router 
> too with a 3 Mb DSL service from BellSouth.  Attached to it is a NetGear 4 
> Port Switch which has three computers currently hardwired into it, two 
> desktops and a laptop.  I have a Dell E1505 that has a wireless card built 
> in (501g), but while it is being used at home is hard wired into the NetGear 
> Switch.
> 
> What I want to do is utilize the wireless card in the E1505 by replacing the 
> Switch with a NetGear G Wireless Router that the only difference in 
> appearance between it and the current Switch is this one has an antenna 
> attached to it and has 4 ports for any computers or print servers hardwired 
> into it.  I intend to keep the desktops hardwired into system and allow the 
> laptop to float and be used anywhere in the house.  My question is, can I 
> just switch out the current 4 Port NetGear Switch with the Wireless NetGear 
> Router, or will there be a problem between the Westell Modem/Router and the 
> NetGear Router.
> 
> Now my next question is what would I gain by going to a 108 mps G+ as 
> opposed to the 54 mps G Router, other than speed and area covered.  The 
> E1505 laptop is used like a desktop in that my son and me both surf the Net, 
> do e-mails, and do instant messaging, but no gaming that uses up a lot of 
> bandwidth.
> 
> Thanks,
> Scotty 
> 
>