Router question for Wireless

I used a Linksys WRT54G Wireless G Router - 54Mbps, 802.11g, 4-Port, but just promised it so someone else, now that I don't use it. It always performed nicely for me, without trouble. It also has four ports in the back where you can also have wired connections or a wired network. The WRT54"G" is a much better router than the "B." At TigerDirect.com, you will find the router for $50. If you shop there, use a trash email address, as they will spam you with crap everyday. The same router is probably available at WorstBuy and NotSoSuperWalmart. I'd guess that price will vary up to a max price of about $70.

Paula

I use Media.com for my wireless internet and so far I have been pleased. They charge me $19.95 a month. Having wireless connection in a rental is an essential amenity.

I also use Mediacom for my internet connection....Mediacom provided me with the router when I signed up for highspeed with them. But maybe this is not the same thing you're talking about :idontno:.

I not too computer connection savvy...somehow it just works.

Paula, with MediaCON's service sometimes going out, you might also want to leave simple instructions of how to reset it if someone's computer doesn't automatically get a connection. MediaCon recommends unplugging the power supply to the modem (this is the larger box which will feed into the wireless router) for 60 seconds, then plugging it back in. From then, it may take up to about 20 seconds for the computer to find the connection. If that doesn't work, they will want to try reseting the wireless router by the same method -- unplugging the power supply to the wireless router (Linksys says 30 seconds, but to keep instructions simple you might say 60 seconds) then plugging it back in. Typically, it will be MediaCON's modem which needs to be reset.

It might be easiest to label MediaCON's modem so that the user can easily identify what you are talking about. Maybe even a color coded sticker, referencing it in your troubleshooting instructions. I'd forget about leaving MediaCON's technical support phone number, b/c they always ask for your account number and last four digits of your SS#.

One other note is that you can set up the wireless router with an encrypted password (WPA) to block other people from using it, leaving the password in your instruction guide to rentors. Once they enter the password, and re-enter for accuracy, they will not have to log on again, as their computer will identify the protected wireless connection. If you chose to leave off the password access, anyone with close proximity will be able to access the internet from your connection. I'd guess that everyone in the other houses around the pool would be able to connect via your wireless router, without paying for cable internet. Not trying to scare you with the following but you should be aware that everyone who connects to the internet through your connection, will be using an identifier which will go back to your wireless router (ISP number). I'm sure it is rare, but if someone were to be dealing,... let's say child porn (connecting via your wireless router, even from another house in the neighborhood), and the gov't picks up on it, the Gov't will trace it back to your wireless router via the ISP address. :blink: I've heard of a case where a lady was arrested for trafficking child porn, and spent some time in jail before her friends and attorney could show that she had an unsecured wireless router, which allowed anyone in close proximity to her house to connect, and that she had no trace of the porn in the hidden files of her own computer. The case was overturned and she was released. As I said, that stuff is probably rare, and even less so down here in la-la land, but you should be aware of the possibilities.

Paula - We have exactly as Smilin JOe has described in our rental house. We use the modem from MediaCom and the router from Linksys. We've had wireless access in our rental house for 2 seasons now and only once has someone had to call me to come and fix the connection, and then they tried doing the disconnect/connect instructions one more time and it fixed their problem. I thought I'd get a call about once a week, but it hasn't happened. I have the instructions for resetting everything, as SJ described, posted in the house. I can email them to you if you'd like. Very simple, just need to do things in the right order.

WOW !!

Thanks SJ....I have a secured internet connection but never understood why, except to prevent people from piggybacking. The instructions to reboot are very helpful.

Wireless is really a problem with renters. We have a Linksys at the beach house (brand doesn't really matter -- at home we have a Netgear Wireless-G Router) that is hidden away in the owner's closet. The problem is that we have it set up so that there is no password, but so that the SSID isn't broadcast for some degree of security. But then we'll get a moron who doesn't know how to set up a one-time profile for a wireless network, or either we'll get some geek who will reconfigure the wireless so it is available to everyone who is near our house (a security problem), and then when we arrive at our house, we have to reconfigure the wireless the way we want it to be able to get online. :bang:

For details, I can direct you to Big D, the engineer. I am not a hardware person -- I am into computer science theory.

Sorta like you wouldn't want an OB/GYN doing your hip replacement -- s/he is an M.D., but each specialty has its own level of expertise.

And why would anyone pay Mediacom for wireless? That just doesn't make sense. They are ripping you off. Buy your own router, use the hardwired service that you are paying Mediacom for, and avoid a monthly charge for wireless.

BR brings up another good point. If there was an evil person connected via your wireless router, I believe they would have the capability to change the settings to WPA (password encrypted), blocking you out of your own router. Not sure, but I think it would be easy as changing your own WPA settings.

BR, I don't think MediaCON offers wireless service, so they wouldn't be charging Paula for wireless service, just the connection. Sounds like she wants their tech guy to install the wireless router when he sets up her cable internet connection.

This is very instructive. We used the Linksys mentioned above and it was very easy to do, but I'm not even sure exactly what it does. We never use it (hubby has a wireless card with separate phone numbers) and so far our renters have had no problems using our wireless router. I wasn't worried about security since we don't really have anything to protect, since we never use it. I guess that might need rethinking. :blink:

Paula, depending on how close your cottages are, you might want to try getting just one of them set up with Mediacom internet service, and then getting a wireless router that allows your renters next door to access the service. 2 houses, 1 line. ;-)

I have a secured internet connection but never understood why, except to prevent people from piggybacking.

goofer, another reason to have a secured network (password protected wireless router) is that if your computer settings were set to share folders and files, and someone else wanted to break into your computer, they would have access to any shared folders and files and programs on your computer via the wireless network. I believe that the default in settings for Windows is set to not share, but if you ever wanted to connect your laptop to your desktop in your own home via the wireless router, you might have your settings set to share files. If someone else were to log on to your unsecured wireless network, at a house two doors down the street or from their car parked in the street, they could within a couple of clicks, see what other computers were on your network, and steal all of your shared files and programs within a couple of minutes.

Personally, I keep my two computers as separate computers, not networking them. My settings are set to not share anything. I like being able to jump on unsecured networks around town, and feel fairly safe doing so, but if someone didn't know what they were doing with their settings, their files might be vulnerable when they take their puter to the local Starbucks or other unsecured WiFi sites. When I used a wireless router at home, I kept it password protected.

Paula, I don't know what your liability would be if someone brought their computer. which was set up with shared files, to your rental cottage, then had their important information, like their company's employee records, stolen due to your wireless network being unsecured, but that type of liability is about the only reason I could think of on the downside of keeping it open access to all.

Paula, depending on how close your cottages are, you might want to try getting just one of them set up with Mediacom internet service, and then getting a wireless router that allows your renters next door to access the service. 2 houses, 1 line. ;-)

:clap: I like the way you think. I forgot that Paula had two adjacent homes there. The only occasional problem would be with resetting the MediaCON modem, if it was in the other house with no rentors. Maybe you could always rent out the one with the modem first.

I would recommend getting it from Mediacon if possible. If you get one from an outside source and you have problems you will be talking to someone in India unless you are capable of adjusting it on your own.

If they do not offer this, or if you don't want to pay them the fee for it, then the one SJ recommend is about the best you can get.

I see some people saying that they have the Linksys router. As an FYI, Linksys is a brand (owned by Cisco), and there are different models, so pay attention to which model you are getting. As I mentioned earlier, the "b" router is slower than the "g" and its signal doesn't go as far.

I highly doubt that MediaCON sells the wireless routers, but I bet the techs subbing out with MediaCON, who come out to install your cable internet, will sell you one from the back of their truck. Just a guess, and who knows if it is legit.

BR brings up another good point. If there was an evil person connected via your wireless router, I believe they would have the capability to change the settings to WPA (password encrypted), blocking you out of your own router. Not sure, but I think it would be easy as changing your own WPA settings.

BR, I don't think MediaCON offers wireless service, so they wouldn't be charging Paula for wireless service, just the connection. Sounds like she wants their tech guy to install the wireless router when he sets up her cable internet connection.

That's what I figured (re the charge for wireless).

I worry about wireless security because I know there are techies out there who can spy on Internet activities and copy usernames and passwords to access whatever you are accessing (bank accounts, credit card accounts, etc,). There are people who just wardrive to access unprotected wireless networks. That's why I make sure the security on our wireless hasn't been effed up by a renter so that some geeky wardriver can't access info that would jeopardize our private online activities.

Paula I would probably call them back and ask them about what you should get, you might need to talk to the service tech department and not sales.

I would think Mediacom is set up like most other cable companies. In Oxford, where my daughter is going to school we deal with Vista III media and we have had 2 experiences one horrible and one great with the same company.

First experience, my daughter was living with 2 other girls in a condo owned by the parents, they had the service and the other girls bought the router at WalMart. Well anytime there was a problem and it was often Vista III would blame it on the router, and simply say, call the number for your router which is some call center in India and never could the girls understand what the agent was saying, they were without service, more often than with. It was horrible.

Second experience same company. My daughter moved into an apt by herself, I called the cable company and asked what are my options for wireless. They were; purchase a router yourself and pay for service only. If there is a problem with the router you deal with it yourself, or rent a router from them for a small monthly fee and if there are any problems with service, a tech will come to the apt and fix it.

We chose the rented router and are glad we did. They came out and set it up and no problems at all and the small monthly fee has been worth not having to deal with with some tech in India.

Thank you all. Thank you all. Thank you all.

I went to Best Buy and got A linksys monster Wireless-N Broadband router (G) that says 4X rangemark and 12X speedmark. I have the idea that I'll use one set up for both cottages since they're side-by-side. I hadn't thought about what happens if there are people in the cottage that doesn't have the system set-up and something goes wrong, but that's where the management company will have to step in --- I'll have to ask them if they fix this kind of thing (or people will have to go to Alys Beach or Villages of South Walton to use their wireless at the cafes and I'll have to give them a discount for their troubles).

Sounds like I should get a password and put a nice-looking sign in each cottage with the password and assume everyone will know how to use the password system. Or, I may just leave it open (but if setting it up with a password is idiot-proof for renters, then that would be best).

When mediacom gets to the cottage on Monday, they'll set it all up for me as long as I bring the router. The guy at Best Buy said they'll have a modem and I'll have the router and they'll set both up if that makes sense.

I got a rate of $19.95 for the first 6 months, then it's about $45 per month if I want 8 mgs (?) or $25.95 for 250K. I'd like to think the 250K is enough - is it or do I need to go for the 8 mgs to have decent internet at the rentals? What would the difference be?

It's a great idea to have instructions for when the router needs to be reset.

More ideas are welcome.
Again, Thank you...

Tip- for best reception in your other house, place the wireless router near the wall or window closest to your other house if possible. As close as your houses are, I doubt you would have any trouble picking up the signal, no matter where it's located, but the closer the better.

Paula, to set up the router, you will need to have your computer available when the MediaCON guy does the install.

Thanks, SJ. For putting the router next to the other cottage, does the router need to be next to a cable "outlet" since mediacom is doing this. Or can the router be somewhere else? There's no cable "outlet" on the walls between the two cottages.

Is the 8mgs worth getting over 250K for $25 more each month?