OK WiFi people, answer this question...

[thetrilogy]

Is there something like a router that will RECEIVE a Wi-Fi connection AND
has ethernet ports on it so I can plug a computer into it hard wired?

I want to use our campus wireless access as the internet connection, but want to plug in computers that already have ethernet ports on the back of them. I don't want to have to buy the wireless pci gadgets to put into the back of a PC.

[jeff061]

This has 4 wired ports:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124010

I'm sure there are a good amount of options out there.

[MikeVic]

Aren't all wireless routers like this?

[stevew]

I think he needs something different than that router.

[jeff061]

Not sure why. Seems like he's only asking for a router with wired and wireless access.

[stevew]

dola, i think more like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124012

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by thetrilogy

Is there something like a router that will RECEIVE a Wi-Fi connection AND
has ethernet ports on it so I can plug a computer into it hard wired?

I want to use our campus wireless access as the internet connection, but want to plug in computers that already have ethernet ports on the back of them. I don't want to have to buy the wireless pci gadgets to put into the back of a PC.

if you were at home, yes, there are products. as the others have said, pretty much any wireless router will have 4 ethernet ports.

but that's not going to work at school. just spend the $40 and get a PCI card, or, if you don't want to open the case, get a USB version. it's probably about the same price (if not less) that you'd spend on the router anyway

[jeff061]

Maybe. He said he wanted a router, and that only has a single lan port to plug into the network(not a computer). I don't think that's what he's looking for.

5 bucks less, with router functionality and 4 lan ports.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by jeff061

Not sure why. Seems like he's only asking for a router with wired and wireless access.

sounds like he has wireless access only at school and wants to convert that with a router to a wired connection for a non-wireless machine. but they don't work that way (or, at least, I've never heard of them working that way).

[stevew]

If a regular router picks up a signal wirelessly and then splits it out, then it would be okay, otherwise he would need something more like a bridge I think.

[jeff061]

Ah I see.

[kcchief19]

I'm pretty sure what he needs is an access point, not a router. I think the router will only work with the original connection point; an access point will connect to an existing network from a router and share with local computers from there. We have access points in our office that allow wireless connections or wired connections from the original router.

[jeff061]

Yeah, like Steve said, you need something like a wireless bridge(or access point). I think I remember setting a printer up like that using one.

[Draft Dodger]

like I said, just get the freaking adapter

[jeff061]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ubmit=Property

USB adapters start at $20. Unless you have about 5 machines, it's probably just easier to go that way.

[Daimyo]

You want to look for a wireless bridge. Some wireless routers have the functionality, but most do not.

I use this at home for my xbox, tivo, and a printer and it works wonderfully:
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGE101.php

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Aren't all wireless routers like this?

Well, if you've never gone shopping for one and are looking for the first time, you wouldn't know, would you?

EDIT: the following doesn't solve your receiving problem so I guess it's kindof useless

I actually have that one linked to above, the Linksys WRT54G. It's a 802.11G and B compatible. As thetrilogy says, this one has 4 ports in the back that you can plug into. I have it in my room next to my computer so I've got mine just plugged into the back while my wife connects on her computer via a USB adapter. That said, you still need the cable modem or DSL modem to hook it into to send the signal to the router. So it's wall outlet -> modem -> router and then you can connect all sorts of stuff to the router.

I don't know if it's like this any more but back when I was getting wireless components about a year ago, stores like Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot had rebates and sales practically every week trying to get people to buy there. For instance, they'd have the router for cheap one week and then adapters cheap the next week so you'd have to buy at least one at regular price.

SI