You'll have already set up the router with a wifi name (SSID) and a password (both of your choice); your mate will be able to 'see' the named network on his phone, and by entering the password will be able to access the internet over your system. That's it really.
David
No, the existing network is a *wired* setup employing only Cat5 cables. The Thomson SpeedTouch model 536 connects to the phone socket and to the D-Link DES-1005D switch. I currently have NO wifi. The extra TP-Link gizmo that I'll buy is for adding wifi to the existing wired installation.
Now, I do understand that the TP-Link gizmo ~can~ be configured with a password and I assume that any laptop or other wifi-enabled device connecting to the wired network via the TP-Link wifi gizmo will need this password, if set up.
MM
I thought of that point, too. But in households where Cat5 is considered as ancient as Bakelite telephones, it seems only wifi is acceptable! And said relative IS coming specifically to help me recuperate for ten days from a forthcoming op, so I feel I have to do my "bit" as well. I myself simply use the TP-Link TL-PA211 homeplugs whenever I need to use one of my PCs in a different part of the house. As long as there is a 3-pin socket in the vicinity, no problemo. The TP-Link TL-PA211 kit (£30.95 from Amazon and worth every penny) came with its own short piece of Cat5 cable and I just use that. But I am a "wired" person. It seems other, more "advanced" users (usually young people...) look down upon wired users as if they have the plague or something. Or are just old, like me. My niece paid a visit a few weekends ago and the first thing she asked was, how can she connect her laptop? She had to "make do" with a 3m Cat5 cable! Oh, the shame!
MM
Oh - I see. Thought you had a WIFI base station but it range was insufficient.
When you do, choose "WPA2/PSK" as the encryption/security method - it's the most secure of the options. At least do not choose "WEP".
Cat5e (strictly) is superior to WiFi in terms of reliability and speed (gigabit). WiFi of course allows one to roam free subject to obstacles and distance!
There's nothing "ancient" about a wired installation -
but that's fair enough - if he's bringing a "pad" or mobile phone, wired is not really an option.
Anyway, I recommend
It's horses for courses really. Personally I have both wired and wireless in my home; the wifi is brilliant for portable stuff like laptops and smartphones, which may be used anywhere in the building without being tethered to one location. However other kit like desktop PCs, a media player, and even the new TV and Blu-Ray player (which somewhat surprisingly) are both internet capable - are all hard-wired. Given the lack of need to move these around, and as all the cabling is neatly buried under floors etc, there would be absolutely no benefit in using wifi and all of its potential disadvantages - lower bandwidth, interference from other sources, security issues etc etc.
Well, FWIW my son back from uni with his high-powered gaming computer is now begging me to install a wired connection in his bedroom, as the wifi isn't good enough for him (tough!)
David
Yeah but young people's houses are full of chargers and blinking leds. They can shove Angry Birds too :)
Have you considered just replacing the exisiting router with one which includes wireless functionality? The only issue with that is whether you'd have adequate wifi coverage where you need it in the house (depends on distance, wall thickness etc) but otherwise all things being equal it would be a much better solution than buying a mains-borne device. And cheaper
Yeah, I get that - hence "You'll have", not "You have"! :) To be honest if you were getting a normal wifi router rather than a powerline one I'd probably suggest you just wait until the relative arrives and it would be fine - it's that straightforward to enable the wifi - however these powerline jobs can be a little flaky and/or ideosyncratic, so it's probably worthwhile checking out in advance as you are planning.
Yes.
David
And if you have a choice of encryption method choose AES.
Always assuming you don't have devices that only talk WEP... .
Two things. All your eggs in one basket, nearby lighting strike zaps the combined ADSL modem/router/switch/AP and everything is down, including the LAN and wireless connections. And as you point out the location required for the ADSL/router/switch due to phone line and/or network cabling may well not be the best for WiFi coverage from the AP.
Which they aren't.
Almost anything would be better than using a powerline device. B-)
It will almost certainly have an Ethernet socket so just buy an extra cable.
MBQ
Works far better than wi-fi here...
No, no, not at all. I am perfectly content with a wired network, but said relative only understands wifi, so I'm trying to meet this requirement. Who knows? Maybe I'll become a convert to wifi myself in future!
MM
I don't myself like wifi. Never have. Cat5 provides me with total reliability and efficient downloading. It's all I need.
MM
Well, I hear what you say, but I can only say that my TP-Link home plugs have been 100% reliable with no perceived degradation when copying/downloading files if I'm temporarily connected via a TP-Link home plug downstairs through the house wiring. I will point out that the house is only 9 years old, so the ring mains should be tip-top. There's a separate circuit for the upper/lower floor ring mains, each with its own trip switch in the consumer unit, but the jolly old TP-Link thingy just works every time no matter where I plug it in.
MM
I disagree. I cannot speak highly enough of the TP-Link products, and my brother says the same, and his house isn't merely 9 years old, it's
350 years old!MM
I get better downloads from my netbook on wi-fi than I do from my wired-up desktop. That probably tells you all you need to know about my desktop, doesn't it?
Nick
Bet the wiring isn't. I object to the powerline devices on the basis of the broadband RF shit they spray all over the shortwave radio bands.
Ah, well, that might be a problem, but I'm not into shortwave radio! Only FM.
MM
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