Wireless Network confusion

[Monkichi 2.0]

I want to get a wireless LAN going on at home but I'm quite baffled by the info given to me so far. I've been to ADSL Guide and they don't seem to really answer my question, which is this:

Can I have a wireless network with any broadband ISP? I just want a wireless router to connect my 6 systems at home, can't I just plug a wireless router into an existing broadband connection and get the router to send the signal wirelessly?

Cheers

[choddo]

Ah hello again.

Yeah you can, the type of network you have at home is totally irrelevant to the ISP. You could have token ring for all they know.

[Super Stu]

Indeed.

I suspect the simplest method is a wireless router. Assuming you have diy adsl, you'll want one that supports ppp over atm. I think netgear did a decent sounding one for about ?120.

[Monkichi 2.0]

Haha, hi Choddo mate, I avoided posting this in Rllmuk as I didn't want to come across as an uterly imcompetent clown who can't understant the first thing about broadband, I see once again you saved my skin. I owe you a pint.

This all startred because I was going to sign up with Bulldog communications for a deal they do to get 1mbps connection at ?24.99. They offered a wireless set up but then said you can only do it through BT. I assumed that a wireless router was exactly the same as a normal router but they made it seem like you need to have network areas and ecryted signal blah blah coming from the ISP itself.

They're offering this http://www.bulldogdsl.com/residentia...g834g_spec.asp for ?160 but they say you need to be on something called My Zones http://www.bulldog.myzones.com/

So just to clarify, I can share my broadband connection with a wireless router with ANY isp I want?[/url]

[gtskater]

to confirm: yes. The ISP takes care of getting the connection to your house, once there you can do, to an extent, what you want with it. So take your ADSL modem, plug it into your Wireless Router and have fun.

[Monkichi 2.0]

to confirm: yes. The ISP takes care of getting the connection to your house, once there you can do, to an extent, what you want with it. So take your ADSL modem, plug it into your Wireless Router and have fun.

Thanks, I've ordered it all so I'll be able to post my ignorance from the bathroom at 1mbps pretty soon

[choddo]

He's right, although generally you don't need a separate router & modem, most people go for an all-in-one job, what did you order in the end?

Not sure what bulldog's game is... that MyZones thing is just a pre-configured access point, a phone support line for it and some software (which all wireless routers come with anyway but maybe it's got a better, simpler interface?)

All in all, you don't need that crap.

[ExpertKing]

I have a wireless set-up at home for a small LAN ( desktop -laptop)

Basically every one is correct... your ISP is only responsible for providing the service to and from your end terminal .

Although you will soon find out that 99% of the time the ISP's hands are tied because BT actually do unscheduled repairs and maintainence on lines all the time.

What Bulldog probably meant it that they can only provide HOME ADSL through a BT line..like most ISP's

All ISP's go through BT wholesale.. ( ADSL Anyway ) who sort out CBUK codes etc and switch the jumpers or upgrade software at the exchange etc.

--

As long as you configure your set-up correctly and there isnt too much interference you'll be fine for a wireless set up.

[Monkichi 2.0]

Thanks everybody, your help was much appreciated. In the end I've gone for Bulldog's ?24.99 1mbps primetime connection. I get a 512 kbps line by day but from 18:00 onwards and on weekends I get 1mbps.

I also got their wireless router pack (Not the MyZones rubbish they were offering) so I'll be back on here with questions on why my wireless network isn't working in 10 to 15 working days

I'll hopefuly catch some of you on Live soon too

Thanks again all, specially Choddo who seemed to track me through every forum I went to.

[dgnr7982]

I have Telewest broadband and recently set up wireless connection to send the signal from downstairs pc to mine upstairs.

Setting up a network on it is complex, but just setting up sending a net connection was a breeze, don't get any loss of DL size over wireless