Router to hub to hub

[RiverCottage]

Hello

I wonder if you can help me, im having trouble getting my head round some networking. Currently we have 3 pc's and a printer networked together through a standard hub.

We are having broadband fitted by BT who have supplied a simple router which has one rj45 connection to 'ethernet'

As i understand it, i can simply connect one wire from the BT router into our hub and the broadband will be shared? (it will have to be plugged into the daisy chain or link socket?)

Now this is where I get stuck, we want to add wireless to the network. It would probably be easier all round to replace the standard supplied bt router with a router that has several ethernet ports and wireless so it can act as central hub AND broadband modem.

Or could I simply add a wireless access point/hub to the chain somewhere? something like this:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=101791

Any advice would be excellent, i think it may be easiest just getting a decent broadband router/hub with wireless? Any comments?

Many Thanks and sorry if I rambled on too much!



River Cottage

 

[suprasteve]

I believe either way would work, but you would be best off by connecting your broadband modem to a wireless router, plugging in all the computers that you have now into the outputs in the router, and setting up a wireless connection with that router. The router will work as a switch/hub to an extent so as long as you have enough plugs to plug into, you should be alright.

 

[ceewi1]

I believe either way would work, but you would be best off by connecting your broadband modem to a wireless router, plugging in all the computers that you have now into the outputs in the router, and setting up a wireless connection with that router. The router will work as a switch/hub to an extent so as long as you have enough plugs to plug into, you should be alright.

That would certainly be the easiest way, but just adding a wireless access point would be cheaper if you already have the other hardware. I had a similar set up, and managed to get a second hand wireless access point from ebay for $20AUD, much cheaper than a wireless router.