China Man Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I am never keen on wifi since I am a gamer and I like low ping when I play games with no lag. I am with Virgin cable and using power grid at the moment to bring internet from downstairs to up stairs bedroom. Technology moved on a lot since I last looked at wifi, I needed the following and not sure if it exists I want to set up wifi network which allows me to 1. add usb network storage e.g. external HD 2. plug in a printer and share it accross the network so I don't need the main computer to be switched on in order to use it 3. to be able to use internet in my shed which is around 25m from the main living room where the router will be installed Am I dreaming or does such device exists? Benson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meko Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 you can get a NAS (network area storage) box and network printers that'll plug into the router. 25metres, possibly but not sure if a standard router will do the job. You might need to splash out on a better router - or a 25mtr network cable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Printers with a wired ethernet port are pretty common and not ultra-expensive. You can also buy a NAS that allows you to plug a regular USB printer into it. I've had an HP network prInter for a few months and it works well, although I did have a bit of hassle with the HP bloatware. I've just forked out for a 1TB NAS too. Its the future! I think the new N-type wifi routers might have the range and performance you want, but they are a bit dear. I have no experience with wireless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 I assume you have power in the Shed, if so why not use Home Plugs. As for the NAS comments I agree 100%, they are great and depending on budget offer a whole load of features including RAID, DNLA media servers, FTP, web server and print servers etc I have used Buffalo LinkStations and TeraStations and others with great success but my favourite at the moment are the QNap units, very very good indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Man Posted December 15, 2009 Author Share Posted December 15, 2009 It have power but I like the idea of wifi and can move about with the laptop etc. forgot to add to my list able to connect a few CCTV via wifi and record onto the network storage a BT client so can download without my computer switch on I don't ask for a lot I am thinking of those N router Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaveriK Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Nas is a piece of cake, some routers have this functionality built into them or go for either a wired or wireless solution. Printer, wired or wireless again. Wireless, i am afraid you just cant assume anything as the coverage will be decided by enviroment. Firstly, the router should be placed smack in the middle of your house to ensure good coverage as with stock aerials the wireless network will be a circle. Without the cost of a survey you want to install something thats expandable, i would suggest a product that supports wireless repeaters/expanders. I like Linysys for this but i am sure Netgear do a fair product as well. The repeater should be placed not at the edge of your network but rather just inside as you dont want any nasty packet drops. Its either that or buy a dedicated access point with possible directional antenna such as http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps8382/index.html As with all wireless ensure you slap whatever your chosen security is and if you are able, repeaters/expanders sometimes bitch about this, hide your SSID broadcast. http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/boosting-a-wifi-signal-ask-our-expert.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Nas is a piece of cake, some routers have this functionality built into them or go for either a wired or wireless solution. Printer, wired or wireless again. Wireless, i am afraid you just cant assume anything as the coverage will be decided by enviroment. Firstly, the router should be placed smack in the middle of your house to ensure good coverage as with stock aerials the wireless network will be a circle. Without the cost of a survey you want to install something thats expandable, i would suggest a product that supports wireless repeaters/expanders. I like Linysys for this but i am sure Netgear do a fair product as well. The repeater should be placed not at the edge of your network but rather just inside as you dont want any nasty packet drops. Its either that or buy a dedicated access point with possible directional antenna such as http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps8382/index.html As with all wireless ensure you slap whatever your chosen security is and if you are able, repeaters/expanders sometimes bitch about this, hide your SSID broadcast. http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/boosting-a-wifi-signal-ask-our-expert.html SSIDMyths I love Mr Rileys first paragraph. Some really, really good security advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I would suggest getting a printer with an ethernet port. They cost a few more pounds than ones without, but are worth it. If you don't want to, then as Digsy said you can buy a NAS device that has a print-server built into it. You can also buy stand-alone print servers (i.e. without the NAS part), but there's not much point in your case since it sounds like you'll be wanting a NAS device anyway. I've looked into NAS recently in some detail. I've been running a cheap NAS device for a couple of years on my home network (£35 ish from an obscure manufacturer, sold by Maplin, without hard disk). These are OK but the firmware can be flaky and poorly-written. It's worth the money to buy something more reputable. I've recently bought a RAID-able DLink DNS-323. This has a print server built-in but I haven't used that yet. Netgear are good (probably a bit better, but a bit more expensive). If you don't need RAID, the Synology DS109 looks a good bet when I was looking a couple of months ago, and seems to be liked by those who use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 This is a great site for various small/home network device reviews http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
400BHP Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I take it you have ADSL, if so buy a Draytek 2820 this will give you wireless AND it has a USB port on it which can be used for either a 3G backup or a USB HDD, making it a NAS which is even accessible from outside using FTP. Its an awesome router, I so want to get one but my 2800 series is still spot on, so there is no need to replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Man Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 lol, I have to agree that the less info boardcast the better, even if it is not your password. I remember when I moved house and cable was not installed yet I was desperate and connected to someone wifi by repeating their id as password... I am looking at a few wifi N router with USB port to connect external hard drive to create network drive like this one Belkin F5D8235UK4 300Mbps N+ Wireless Cable Router with Storage Port [F5D8235UK4] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 An apple airport extreme sounds like it might fit the bill 4x gigbit ports, USB for HD/Printer and Nwireless for the range if your end device is a N rated also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 The Linksys WAG320N I've just ordered might do the trick for you, you can plug storage into the back of it via USB and either use a wired or wireless printer. Alternatively any old printer with a wireless print hub will do. http://www.linksysbycisco.com/UK/en/products/WAG320N Obviously the rest of your kit will need to be "N" to get the optimum performance. I ordered mine from eBuyer, they were the cheapest "known" source and do free delivery if you aren't in a rush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 The Linksys WAG320N I've just ordered might do the trick for you, you can plug storage into the back of it via USB and either use a wired or wireless printer. Alternatively any old printer with a wireless print hub will do. http://www.linksysbycisco.com/UK/en/products/WAG320N Obviously the rest of your kit will need to be "N" to get the optimum performance. I ordered mine from eBuyer, they were the cheapest "known" source and do free delivery if you aren't in a rush. Maybe a problem with that one if you're on BT info This is rubbish. Please ignore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Maybe a problem with that one if you're on BT info isnt that entire thread void due to the fact the product hes dissing is a router not a modem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 isnt that entire thread void due to the fact the product hes dissing is a router not a modem? Indeed, it's a totally different item - same brand, similar styling, that's about it though. Had me worried for a second or two though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ric Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Was going to say, every adsl modem ive had the pleasure of configuring has options for PPPoE and A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digsy Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 Why on earth would you make your networked storage a USB drive attached to your router? Surely the access speeds would be painfully slow compared to a local hard disk or propoer NAS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 isnt that entire thread void due to the fact the product hes dissing is a router not a modem? Indeed, it's a totally different item - same brand, similar styling, that's about it though. Had me worried for a second or two though Sorry about that. /vbb/images/smilies/bbcode_oops.gif The name took me to a different but almost identical product. This one would be the right one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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