Getting a router

  • Thread starter Thread starter JimL
  • Start date Start date
J

JimL

Just exactly how "deprived" should I feel if I had a router with no
wireless? Would that make me an outcast in polite society?
 
Hi
There is No reason to get Wire only Router since they cost the same (and
sometimes even more) than Wireless Routers.
Thus rather than being "Outcast" you would end up considered Not being
price/business savvy. ;)
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)
 
Jack said:
Hi
There is No reason to get Wire only Router since they cost the same (and
sometimes even more) than Wireless Routers.
Click to expand...

I can see one very good reason for getting a Wire only Router, Security.
If you don't need or use the wireless section then not having it makes
the router much more secure. I don't think any wireless routers come
with the wireless section disabled, and most default to a simple
security setting and password. Unless the user is smart enough to
disable the wireless or turn up the security and password the whole
neighborhood can use their connection. This may not seem much of a
problem unless someone uses your router for illegal activities and the
police come to your door.
 
Jim said:
The wireless facility of the Linksys WRT54GS can be turned off if so
desired.
Jim
Click to expand...

The problem is that is is not turned off by default and can be turned on
even after it is disabled. If it could be removed I would have no
problem. Anyone working with regulated material, such as medical
records, needs to be sure that no unauthorized people can get access to
that information. Having a wireless link is just another hole that has
to be plugged and monitored.
If you ever turn on a laptop at home and try to connect to a wireless
connection you might see several available. Many of these are not
secured and the owners might not even be aware of the problem.
 
Michael W. Ryder said:
If you don't need or use the wireless section then not having it makes
the router much more secure.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking the same thing. I can easily cable to the most likely
place to use the laptop away from the base (directly overhead). Using
wireless seems to be almost a matter of luck anyway.

Is there a maximum cable length for direct connecting?

Thanks
 
Michael W. Ryder said:
Is there a maximum cable length for direct connecting?
Click to expand...

90m is the spec, though in practice it will tolerate about 120-150m in good
conditions.

One security issue with wireless, as you correctly identify, is that most
routers have it turned-on but unencrypted as-supplied to make initial setup
easier, thus an accidental router hard-reset or NVRAM fault may leave it as a
public connection. Exactly how much risk this poses is open to question. If
the NVRAM has defaulted then the Internet connection won't work, although any
internal computers with unprotected shares may be at risk. Chances are the
fact that the Internet connection has stopped working would be noticed before
an intrusion occurred.
 
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