Novice query - wireless & wired

Hi,

My basic home setup is as follows :-

3-off upstairs desktop PCs & 2-off xbox's hard wired into a dynamode 8-port
switch.
1-off desktop PC downstairs connected locally to a PT3812 4-port adsl modem
router.
The upstairs switch is hard wired down the inside back wall into the PT3812
router to create the complete network with all devices independently able to
access the web .

Unfortunately, my BT socket is diagonally across the house in the hallway ,
so my modem is presently connected to phone extension cable that 'goes round
the houses'.
The main phone socket in the hall has no mains plug socket near by , but I
am going to remedy that becuase I have learned the best way to improve
broadband speed is to connect straight into the main socket to minimise
losses.

So here goes :-

1. I also now have a company wireless laptop which does successfully hard
wire connect to the PT3812 router and VPN to my campany's server, but it
won't connect via any of my other PCs ( fair enough ). Are there any
wireless receiver gadgets available to plug into my PT3812 router to make it
wireless compatible for the laptop ? Or is the device due for retiring off
in favour of a new 4-port modem with wireless ?

2. Back to the BT socket across the house ..... If I am able to get mains
power arranged and fit a wireless modem in the hall, what hardware is
available to replace the hub part of the PT3812 unit, i.e. something that is
4 lan ports local to the downstairs PC which connects via wireless across to
the hallway to a modem.
Is there anything on the market that keeps a hardwired home network running,
but allows wireless adsl for broadband ? ...but without the need for any one
PC to act as a gateway.

Pls advise and give any links to examples of hardwire.
Thx

On 16 Jan 2007, "ToxOgrady" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Pls advise and give any links to examples of hardwire.

Depending on the distances and so on (as to whether using cable
is acceptable / out of the question ) you might consider getting
a router from Solwise that uses the mains power cabling within
your home to carry data. If you have such a router connected
at the master socket, and a single powerline adaptor into
the Dynamode switch, then you could use your existing kit and
the cable running from the Dynamode to the PT3812 would just be
plugged into the PC currently connected to the PT3812 (which
may be useful as a spare to check the BT line if the new
router ever appears to not be getting into sync with
exchange).

I've used wireless in some places, but in one case the family
had so many problems they switched to using powerline (3 units,
one for the router, and one each for 2 PCs, in different rooms,
though in other situations, a powerline adaptor could go into
a hub/switch and thus provide for many more systems).

<http://solwise.co.uk/net-powerline.htm>

I wrote:

>the cable running from the Dynamode to the PT3812 would just be
>plugged into the PC currently connected to the PT3812

Of course, you could leave the PT3812 in place (just disable the
DHCP facility on it, and make sure the IP does not clash with
the new router) so that it becomes a 4-port hub for you to
have spare ports downstairs as well as up. The powerline
adaptor can be put into either unit, as the traffic will be
going from PT3812 to/from Dynamode on the existing cable so it
doesn't matter if powerline adaptor is upstairs or down.

I suppose wireless is just deemed more convenient as there's no
cable to have to fit / hide, between the hall and the PT3812
(though at ~15p a metre, cable would be a really cheap means
of connection, compared with wireless/powerline kit).

> 1. I also now have a company wireless laptop which does successfully hard
> wire connect to the PT3812 router and VPN to my campany's server, but it
> won't connect via any of my other PCs ( fair enough ). Are there any
> wireless receiver gadgets available to plug into my PT3812 router to make
> it wireless compatible for the laptop ?

My company laptop will wire into the home network fine, but all wireless
access is disabled. Apparently it is a security thing (some of us work for
MOD).