WIRE-LESS good or not? (Belkin Wireless Lan Router)

Member Name: somebodyrandom

Product:	Belkin Wireless Lan Router
Date:	27/06/04 (2609 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No wires needed, Can share printers and files as well, Free technical support number

Disadvantages: An expensive make, Set up could take a while

There comes a time in a man's life when he needs to show off his manhood. Yes, he needs to lose his virginity. He also needs to set up a wireless network in his house.

The qusetion on everyone's lips must then be, was it fun. Won't comment on losing virginity, but setting up a wireless netwrok in my house, no. So, why did I do it? Well, I had two computers, both of which were in separate rooms and on different floors. A broadband connection (see my review on BT Broadband for more info, copy and paste 'You can't go wrong (well, you can)' into the search bar) that was needed on both computers, a laser printer also needed on both computers, and some money that was burning a hole in my pocket.

The solution to my problem was simple. Yes, all I needed to do was to move my computer from one room and next to the other computer in the other room. That was too simple for me (well, actually I just couldn't be ar**d). So instead I found out I would need something called a 'wireless router.'

To avoid sounding like a physics geek (oooh, sends shivers down my spine. No, hang on, that could just be due to the window being open), I will just tell you in basic terms what it does. The second commutator on the dos based capacitor operates the variable voltage passing through the silicon based transformer located on the transducer. (aaaaaaaaaah! I'm turnin into a physics geek. Help. SOS! I don't want to wear geeky thick lensed glasses and braces and get laughed at when I walk down the street). All that the wireless router does is behave like a TV transmitter. You put an electrical signal into it, and it sends it through the air, where it is picked up by a receiver. This Belkin router also has an inbuilt broadband modem, so there is no need for a separate modem
(unless you are some sort of obsessive freak who insists on having a spaare one in case one breaks down and you have to go a couple of days without one, God forbid of course!).

This particular Belkin modem can network up to eight computers. It has the capability to network four by wires and four wirelessly. To network by wires, all that you need is an ethernet cable (a few quid from somewhere like PC World or Dixons) and an LAN card in each of the computers. Then it is simply a case of plugging one end of the cable into the router, then other end into the LAN card. To network wirelessly however, you need to buy a wireless network adapter (which will cost from thirty pounds plus fro one that is fitted in your computer case. An external one -ie just plug it into a USB port is about fifty quiid plus). This wireless router is compatable with any 802.11b wirless equipment, make sure you get a 802.11b adapter!

Once you have bought all the wires/adaptors etc and connected the phone line into the router you are ready to set it up. The CD provided with the Belkin router was superb. All you have to do is insert it into your computer (well, the CD drive to avoid electrocution or voiding a warranty) and Bobs your uncle. It will take you through installing the drivers etc.

Then (yes its not set up yet), you need to configure the router. The above took me ten minutes, the below took me two hours. The instructions said open up Internet Explorer, type in a certain few numbers (the IP address, whats one of them you ask?The answer to that keeps me awake at night as well!)

That is as far as I got. The instructions were printed on a booklt that opened up to about an A3 piece of paper (thankfully not all of it was the English instructions and there were pretty pictures/d
iagrams). They looked fairly simple to use and so I'm not complaining.

When I couldn't configure my router, what do you think the next port of call was. Yes, a conversation with the friendly Indian farmer on the other end of the phone (sometimes referred to as 'Customer Serives'). To my surprise, their call centre was not in India. But Germany. (better? worse? why Germany, whats wrong with England!?). It was a free phone number, so that was a plus and I could understand most of what the guy on the other end was saying. I was on the phone to him for over an hour, to sort it out I had to go through DOS settings with him. Apparently it is a common problem with the software, and I was the fourth person that day with the same problem. (I get the feeling of Dear Agony Aunt, I have a problem...). The guy was helpful and surprisingly patient. Thumbs up for customer services. He talked me through resolving the problem, and lo and behold, the router and internet worked (Hallelujah, praise the Lord).

To set up the wireless connection was as easy as reciting the ACB (or is that ABC). My wireless adapter WAS NOT a Belkin one (because after ninety quid for the router I fancied saving a bit of money, so went to the bank, well actually for a cheaper make). It was a five minute job.

For everyday use the Belkin router with built in modem is superb. It has a power light indicator on the front, as well as four lights, one for each of the wired computers connected. For each connected computer a light comes on, so it is simple to check if you have connected them properly or not. There is a light to indicate whether the wireless network is working as well as two lights for the broaadband connection (one to show a connection is
established, the other to show if computers are synchronising with it). This makes trouble shooting extremely easy, as because the power light was not on, I immediately knew that I had forgotten to plug it in. I can effortlessly share printers and files that are on different computers (NOTE that only when the computer with the files/printer on is turned on and logged on) as well as sharing the broadband connection, even if there is only one computer turned on.

As far as contacting Belkin goes, you can phone them for technical support (on a freephone number!) or use an online chat service (accessed by www.belkin.com/networking) that is available 24 hours a day.

Overall, this is a superb product, that is made by a reputable international company that should last you for years. It is simple to use and saves trailing wires across the house that could trip somebody up and cause an unfortunate accident (what about the comedy value of that though- Home Alone movies etc?). The only downside is that being Belkin, it is expensive, dearer than other barands by a good ten or fifteen quid and dearer than wired network by about fifty quid. :)

Summary: