wireless router question

[mrsmav]

thinking of getting a travel router for our upcoming DVC stay.



The router we have at home allows us to have one computer wired to it. Then I have wireless throughout the house for our other computers, ipods, ipad, etc. I would like to have the ability to have our laptop "wired" and then have wireless for the kids' ipods and my ipad.

Does the apple airport express allow a wired connection for one computer? or does it just provide wireless connection?

 

[hellerjw]

Without knowing more about your specific home setup I would bet that you could plug a small wired switch into the single ethernet port on your router and use multiple wired devices through it, it just only comes with a single port built in. Now if you are talking about your DSL/Cable Modem and not an actual router then that's a different story, as those normally have a single ethernet (network) port and/or USB connection for your equipment to connect to - being able to use both simultaneously is device dependent. You would then plug your wired/wireless router into the ethernet port on the modem and connect your devices to the routers wired ports or wirelessly.

You could use the built-in Internet Connection Sharing tool in Windows (I believe the Apple OS has a similar tool) to use your laptops wireless as an ahoc access point for the other devices. This would save you from having to purchase a travel router, but I haven't personally tried this with iPads or iPods. It is slightly more involved that using a hardware router but its free.

You could get a D-Link, Netgear or other wireless router a lot cheaper than an Apple Airport and they usually come with a built-in 4-port switch (for connecting wired devices), in addition to supporting wireless devices.

 

[ValpoCory]

thinking of getting a travel router for our upcoming DVC stay.



The router we have at home allows us to have one computer wired to it. Then I have wireless throughout the house for our other computers, ipods, ipad, etc. I would like to have the ability to have our laptop "wired" and then have wireless for the kids' ipods and my ipad.

Does the apple airport express allow a wired connection for one computer? or does it just provide wireless connection?

If you have an iPad, then someone in your family probably has a smart phone. Most Smart Phones have a tethering feature to allow it to act as a Wireless Hot Spot. Enabling this feature costs ~$1 per day, depending on the carrier. Sprint allows you to enable and disable this feature as often as you like, only paying the dollar for the days you need it.

 

[mrsmav]

If you have an iPad, then someone in your family probably has a smart phone. Most Smart Phones have a tethering feature to allow it to act as a Wireless Hot Spot. Enabling this feature costs ~$1 per day, depending on the carrier. Sprint allows you to enable and disable this feature as often as you like, only paying the dollar for the days you need it.

nope - no smartphones here - only net10 and tracfone phones.

 

[mrsmav]

Without knowing more about your specific home setup I would bet that you could plug a small wired switch into the single ethernet port on your router and use multiple wired devices through it, it just only comes with a single port built in. Now if you are talking about your DSL/Cable Modem and not an actual router then that's a different story, as those normally have a single ethernet (network) port and/or USB connection for your equipment to connect to - being able to use both simultaneously is device dependent. You would then plug your wired/wireless router into the ethernet port on the modem and connect your devices to the routers wired ports or wirelessly.

You could use the built-in Internet Connection Sharing tool in Windows (I believe the Apple OS has a similar tool) to use your laptops wireless as an ahoc access point for the other devices. This would save you from having to purchase a travel router, but I haven't personally tried this with iPads or iPods. It is slightly more involved that using a hardware router but its free.

You could get a D-Link, Netgear or other wireless router a lot cheaper than an Apple Airport and they usually come with a built-in 4-port switch (for connecting wired devices), in addition to supporting wireless devices.

except for your last sentence about d-link and netgear routers, You have me totally lost.

The router I have at home is a d-link, I think and has more than one port. Thanks for the info I will look into d-link or netgear or maybe visit an apple store and ask my question about the airport express.

Thanks for the info.

 

[OKW Lover]

Does the apple airport express allow a wired connection for one computer? or does it just provide wireless connection?

No wired connection for the Airport Express. Wireless only.

 

[mrsmav]

No wired connection for the Airport Express. Wireless only.

thanks. that is what I needed to know. I will look into other options. I guess I could take my router from home, but would rather not.

 

[Dean]

I have the D link and AE and prefer the D link overall.

 

[drusba]

I guess the question is why do you feel you need both a wired and wireless connection which you are not going to get with any pocket/travel wireless modem not just Apple's AirPort Express? Note if you have a 2BR lock-off you could have both wired and wireless with a pocket wireless router because there are two ethernet hook-ups, one in the 1BR and one in the studio.

 

[palaemon]

I agree w/ pp. I'm not sure what is to be gained by having the laptop wired vs. wireless (unless the laptop in incapable of wifi.)

 

[mrsmav]

I agree w/ pp. I'm not sure what is to be gained by having the laptop wired vs. wireless (unless the laptop in incapable of wifi.)

The wired connection is a bit more reliable. Wireless connections can fail and I need a secure connection.

 

[palaemon]

The wired connection is a bit more reliable. Wireless connections can fail and I need a secure connection.

Okay - I understand. I haven't seen evidence of that personally, but maybe since I use Apple products w/ Apple products it's different than mixing and matching.

 

[DVCProPlan]

thinking of getting a travel router for our upcoming DVC stay.



The router we have at home allows us to have one computer wired to it. Then I have wireless throughout the house for our other computers, ipods, ipad, etc. I would like to have the ability to have our laptop "wired" and then have wireless for the kids' ipods and my ipad.

Does the apple airport express allow a wired connection for one computer? or does it just provide wireless connection?

The Apple Airport Express, AKA travel router, does not have a wired port. It has one uplink port, and one out going USB port. One other issue with the Airport Express is it has a limit range. This may be good because your DVC neighbors would not be piggy backing you, but it may get a bit spotty if you have a 2 or 3 bedroom villa.

--Scott

 

[drusba]

The wired connection is a bit more reliable. Wireless connections can fail and I need a secure connection.

We have never had a failure with airport express or D-Link pocket router in a hotel except when the hotel's internet itself went out which would shut down a wired computer too. As to security, you can give your wireless modem security when you set it up at home. If you do so that is actually far more security than you get by hooking up via wire to the hotel's internet because hotels' internet lines have essentially no security; in other words, for security, it is actually better to bring a wireless router that you have set up with security than doing the wired connection.

 

[spleen]

We have never had a failure with airport express or D-Link pocket router in a hotel except when the hotel's internet itself went out which would shut down a wired computer too. As to security, you can give your wireless modem security when you set it up at home. If you do so that is actually far more security than you get by hooking up via wire to the hotel's internet because hotels' internet lines have essentially no security; in other words, for security, it is actually better to bring a wireless router that you have set up with security than doing the wired connection.

this is absolutely true as long as wireless security has been set up properly on your router / devices - minimum of WPA2 security.

 

[mrsmav]

We have never had a failure with airport express or D-Link pocket router in a hotel except when the hotel's internet itself went out which would shut down a wired computer too. As to security, you can give your wireless modem security when you set it up at home. If you do so that is actually far more security than you get by hooking up via wire to the hotel's internet because hotels' internet lines have essentially no security; in other words, for security, it is actually better to bring a wireless router that you have set up with security than doing the wired connection.

good to know - thanks. I know about setting it up for security. I guess when I used the word "secure" I meant the security of knowing that the wireless connection won't fail.

and I do realize that there is always the possibility that the hotel internet can fail and then I am totally out of luck.

Thank you all for your replies. I guess I am going to look into getting a non-travel router or just bring the one from home.

 

[DVCProPlan]

good to know - thanks. I know about setting it up for security. I guess when I used the word "secure" I meant the security of knowing that the wireless connection won't fail.

and I do realize that there is always the possibility that the hotel internet can fail and then I am totally out of luck.

Thank you all for your replies. I guess I am going to look into getting a non-travel router or just bring the one from home.

You can get a wireless router at Walmart for under $25, and a better one for under $50. A lot less hassle then unhooking and packing the home router IMHO.

--Scott

 

[LJD2143]

What's the best/cheapest way to convert the internet access in my 1BR Villa to wireless (for iPods only)?

 

[drusba]

^Cheapest: if you have a wireless router for use at home for your computers, just bring it and hook it up to the internet wall access in your room.

Otherwise, as this discussion has covered, buy a pocket/travel wireless router and set it up for use at home,giving it any desired security. Prices vary; Apple's Airport Express is expensive, over $90, but reburbished ones can be purchased for in the $50s. There are others of good quality in the $50 range.

 

[bouncycat]

So for wireless connections do we just plug our router into the internet port in the room? Or is there another cord we need to bring? We have a wireless router here at home, and want to bring it, and have at least 3 laptops coming with 8 of us in 2 weeks. We're staying at the THV, and just want to be prepared. Thanks!!!