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A very simple question (I think). We have a wired Linksys router connected
to the cable modem. Each of two computers (upstairs & downstairs) are
cabled to the router for the sole purpose of accessing the internet. Each
uses a software firewall. I'd like to expand (exchange?) the router so that
we have a wireless connection in the house for the sole purpose of
permitting a smart phone to have net access. I'd like to do this without
exposing the existing desktops to the wireless component - ie. keep them
totally hard wired and secure from wireless intrusion.

In other words, I want to add wireless capability to the existing household
broadband subscription, while keeping the desktops 100% insulated from it.
Would appreciate suggestions on the proper way to do this.

Many thanks. Apologies for the total noobidity.

-Ron

"Ron" <> wrote in message
news:gnbqga$sib$...
>A very simple question (I think). We have a wired Linksys router connected
>to the cable modem. Each of two computers (upstairs & downstairs) are
>cabled to the router for the sole purpose of accessing the internet. Each
>uses a software firewall. I'd like to expand (exchange?) the router so
>that we have a wireless connection in the house for the sole purpose of
>permitting a smart phone to have net access. I'd like to do this without
>exposing the existing desktops to the wireless component - ie. keep them
>totally hard wired and secure from wireless intrusion.
>
> In other words, I want to add wireless capability to the existing
> household broadband subscription, while keeping the desktops 100%
> insulated from it. Would appreciate suggestions on the proper way to do
> this.
>
> Many thanks. Apologies for the total noobidity.
>
> -Ron


The way I have done it in my house is to buy a multi-port switch and a
Wireless Access Point. (WAP). Connect the computers and the router (I have
to use the router supplied by the company my wife works for...) and the WAP
to the switch by cables.
Or, just replace the router with a wireless-enabled router.

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Ron said this on 2/16/2009 8:42 AM:
> A very simple question (I think). We have a wired Linksys router
> connected to the cable modem. Each of two computers (upstairs &
> downstairs) are cabled to the router for the sole purpose of accessing
> the internet. Each uses a software firewall. I'd like to expand
> (exchange?) the router so that we have a wireless connection in the
> house for the sole purpose of permitting a smart phone to have net
> access. I'd like to do this without exposing the existing desktops to
> the wireless component - ie. keep them totally hard wired and secure
> from wireless intrusion.
>
> In other words, I want to add wireless capability to the existing
> household broadband subscription, while keeping the desktops 100%
> insulated from it. Would appreciate suggestions on the proper way to do
> this.
>
> Many thanks. Apologies for the total noobidity.
>
> -Ron
Just replace the old router with a wireless one.
Keep the 2 pc's wired.
You now have wireless add-on.

Finding a Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a bit harder, they are not as
common as simple wireless routers, but if you found one, you could just
add it as another hardwired device and it provides the wireless service.
Note: Some wireless routers, Belkin F5D7230-4 for one, have the ability
to become a WAP with a setting on the internal menu. But its hard to
find that tidbit of info from specs though. And some wireless routers
can have the config changed enough to make it work like a WAP. I have
3 routers and only 2 of the 3 were capable of doing or simulating a WAP.

Unless you are in love with your current router, change it.
I have verizon service and they provide a wireless router that is
specific to their service (or so they say, I've not played with changing
it). But when I wanted a WPA2 wireless that they don't support, I
started looking at other routers and ran into all this WAP stuff.
Finally got a friends Belkin (above) and it worked great. I basically
now had two wireless radios and could use either one. One WPA2 and one
WPA (which I didn't want and turned off software wise).

Good luck.

HI
As mentione4d above the best cost effective solution is to add a Wireless
Router configures as an Access Point
Here how - Using a Wireless Router as a switch with an Access Point -
http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html
Example for a reasonably priced good Wireless Router, Asus WL-520GU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320023
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

"Ron" <> wrote in message
news:gnbqga$sib$...
>A very simple question (I think). We have a wired Linksys router connected
>to the cable modem. Each of two computers (upstairs & downstairs) are
>cabled to the router for the sole purpose of accessing the internet. Each
>uses a software firewall. I'd like to expand (exchange?) the router so
>that we have a wireless connection in the house for the sole purpose of
>permitting a smart phone to have net access. I'd like to do this without
>exposing the existing desktops to the wireless component - ie. keep them
>totally hard wired and secure from wireless intrusion.
>
> In other words, I want to add wireless capability to the existing
> household broadband subscription, while keeping the desktops 100%
> insulated from it. Would appreciate suggestions on the proper way to do
> this.
>
> Many thanks. Apologies for the total noobidity.
>
> -Ron

Jack (MVP-Networking). said this on 2/16/2009 11:11 AM:
> HI
> As mentione4d above the best cost effective solution is to add a
> Wireless Router configures as an Access Point
> Here how - Using a Wireless Router as a switch with an Access Point -
> http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html
> Example for a reasonably priced good Wireless Router, Asus WL-520GU
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320023
> Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
>
> "Ron" <> wrote in message
> news:gnbqga$sib$...
>> A very simple question (I think). We have a wired Linksys router
>> connected to the cable modem. Each of two computers (upstairs &
>> downstairs) are cabled to the router for the sole purpose of accessing
>> the internet. Each uses a software firewall. I'd like to expand
>> (exchange?) the router so that we have a wireless connection in the
>> house for the sole purpose of permitting a smart phone to have net
>> access. I'd like to do this without exposing the existing desktops to
>> the wireless component - ie. keep them totally hard wired and secure
>> from wireless intrusion.
>>
>> In other words, I want to add wireless capability to the existing
>> household broadband subscription, while keeping the desktops 100%
>> insulated from it. Would appreciate suggestions on the proper way to
>> do this.
>>
>> Many thanks. Apologies for the total noobidity.
>>
>> -Ron
>
And they even have a $10 rebate going on.

> Just replace the old router with a wireless one.
> Keep the 2 pc's wired.
> You now have wireless add-on.

That seems simple enough. I didn't realize that "wireless" routers actually
have ethernet ports. So I can configure it to completely insulate the
cabled computers from any wireless probe, right? (Sorry for the
Google-laziness. Will do my research now.)

Thanks all - for the responses and the links. -Ron (the OP)

Ron said this on 2/16/2009 5:38 PM:
>> Just replace the old router with a wireless one.
>> Keep the 2 pc's wired.
>> You now have wireless add-on.
>
> That seems simple enough. I didn't realize that "wireless" routers
> actually have ethernet ports. So I can configure it to completely
> insulate the cabled computers from any wireless probe, right? (Sorry
> for the Google-laziness. Will do my research now.)
>
> Thanks all - for the responses and the links. -Ron (the OP)

I'm going out on a limb but since Ethernet and Wireless both connect to
the same router, are they 'insulated'? Well that's a good question.
So a hacker gets into your wireless, well, he's into your network now,
be it wireless or wired. That's why you put up firewalls on all the
PC's I guess.

And yes, most of the simple wireless routers on the market are a 4 port
LAN wired, with wireless, and 1 WAN connection (the cable modem etc).