Newbie wants to set up wireless

Hello everyone,

I'm pretty good with computers generally, but I'm a total newbie when
it comes to setting up a wireless network.

Here's what's going on:

I have Verizon DSL. The modem they gave me is several years old, and
only supports a very old (and apparently totally unreliable) form of
encryption/security.

What I want to do is replace this old DSL modem with a new one that
supports the newest encryption/security measures (I know someone whose
wireless network was hacked into, they did some really bad stuff, so I'm
kinda paranoid).

I have my desktop hooked up to the modem and would like to have it also
be wireless so I can use the internet on my laptop throughout my
apartment.

Does anyone recommend a particular modem? If I want the newest form of
wireless security, do I have to worry about any compatibility issues (my
laptop is about 2.5 years old)? I'd appreciate any feedback.


ps. I feel embarrassed asking this question- but is a DSL router simply
the same thing as a DSL modem?

Thanks!!


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johnnypod wrote:
> What I want to do is replace this old DSL modem with a new one that
> supports the newest encryption/security measures
>
> Does anyone recommend a particular modem? If I want the newest form of
> wireless security, do I have to worry about any compatibility issues (my
> laptop is about 2.5 years old)? I'd appreciate any feedback.

ZyXel makes several excellent products. Embarq uses them, in other words
telcos want a low maintenance product.

ZyXel website for DSL customer side products.
http://tinyurl.com/jgdbk

P660M is your basic DSL modem with an embedded router.
P660H is DSL modem with an embedded router and 4 port hub.
P660HW is the P660H with wireless G.

> ps. I feel embarrassed asking this question- but is a DSL router simply
> the same thing as a DSL modem?

Yes and no.

No - A DSL modem is only a device that that converts the analog
DSL signal to ethernet. A router creates additional network
addresses.

Yes - Almost all customer sided DSL modems have an embedded
router. Some have a built in hub, others need to be connected to
a separate hub.

johnnypod <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>I have Verizon DSL. The modem they gave me is several years old, and
>only supports a very old (and apparently totally unreliable) form of
>encryption/security.

Any particular maker and model DSL modem? As I recall, Verizon was
using Westel DSL modems.

>What I want to do is replace this old DSL modem with a new one that
>supports the newest encryption/security measures

DSL modems do not have encryption or security. That's a router
feature.

>(I know someone whose
>wireless network was hacked into, they did some really bad stuff, so I'm
>kinda paranoid).

Fine. When you get your wireless router, setup:
1. A login password.
2. A unique SSID
3. WPA-PSK or WPA2-PSK encryption with a long (>25 chars) and messy
encryption key.

That's it. You're done with security.

>I have my desktop hooked up to the modem and would like to have it also
>be wireless so I can use the internet on my laptop throughout my
>apartment.

Any particular range (in ft or meters)? How many walls are you going
through? What is the general construction of the walls? If foil
backed insulation in the walls, give up now.

>Does anyone recommend a particular modem?

You already have a DSL modem that works.

>If I want the newest form of
>wireless security, do I have to worry about any compatibility issues (my
>laptop is about 2.5 years old)?

Yes. The "newest" form of security that you can actually purchase is
WPA2-AES. There's no problem at the router if it supports WPA2.
However, the wireless client radio for your unspecified model laptop
running an unspecified operating system might be a problem. If you
buy an older wireless card or device, or don't bother to update the
drivers, it may not support WPA2. Also, I've had some compatibility
issues with WPA2-AES encryption and had to go down a notch to
WPA-TKIP. There's a slight reduction in security level, but not much.

>ps. I feel embarrassed asking this question- but is a DSL router simply
>the same thing as a DSL modem?

No. A DSL modem just converts the data on the DSL line into ethernet.
To lay on the buzzwords, it's an ATM to ethernet bridge, that bridges
encapsulated 802.3 ethernet packets inside ATM packets. It does no
filtering, routing, switching, or juggling of these packets.

A "DSL router" is a DSL modem, an ethernet router, and usually a 4
port ethernet switch, inside one package. These functions can also be
done with a seperate DSL modem, seperate ethernet router, and seperate
4 port ethernet switch.

If you throw in wireless into the puzzle, you have a "wireless DSL
router", which has the DSL modem, ethernet router, wireless access
point, and 4 port ethernet switch, all in one conglomeration.

There are benefits to doing this in 2 or 3 packages. Wireless
standards are changing and improving constantly. Anything you buy has
a good chance of being obsolete in a year or two. That's not true for
the DSL modem, ethernet router, or 4 port switch. The technology for
those are fairly mature. So, when the latest wireless acronyms
arrive, your only choice is to toss the whole box and start over
again. With seperate boxes, you can just replace the wireles section.

Start reading here:
<http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/86/106/>
See the tutorials and HowTo's.

Also, the FAQ:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>


>
>Thanks!!
>
>
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--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558