Wireless network in apartment

[Yenolo]

Hi,
I've recently moved into a new apartment and part of the deal includes built in Internet access with the apartment.
However here is my problem; the connection provided is an RJ45 outlet on the wall. It works fine, I'm using it now to write this but it's on the other side of the room, so I've had to run a long fly lead to my PC.
I'd like to use a wireless connection to save having to cable across the room. Can anyone sugest what sort of hardware I should use? I don't think I can use a normal wireless router because that takes an RJ11 Telkom plug; plus the password, etc is already setup somewhere on a main router in the complex. Any sugestions on how I can go about making the existing connection wireless from the RJ45 wall socket onwards?
Any ideas would be much appreaciated.

 

[ambo]

You would be looking for a 'Broadband Router' rather than an 'ADSL Router'. It won't have the ADSL modem port and instead have a 'WAN' port which is an RJ45 connector. You then would need to set the Internet connection on the router to 'DHCP'. The Linksys WRT54GL is an old favourite for this kind of thing but there are also many other routers that would do the job.

 

[seven7seven]

From my understanding of your situation - that you just plug into the RJ45 and it provides a network connection (ie. you just connect to the local network, you don't need to establish a connection to an ISP) then a Wireless Access Point is what you want.

A broadband router, as suggested by ambo, would only be necessary if you need to establish a connection to an ISP (ie. enter your ISP username and password on your side).

This TP-LINK WA500G @ R259 will provide 54mbps wireless (11g) - but you can also get a 150mbps or 300mbps (11n) if you already have N capable devices or want to future proof.

EDIT: Does your PC(s) that you want to connect wirelessly already have a wireless adapter?

 

[Yenolo]

Hi Richard, thanks for the reply. You are quite correct, I just connect to the apartment's local network via the RJ45 wall socket at the moment. This then allows me to access the Internet without the need for a username and password.

From what you said in your post it sounds like a Wireless Access Point is what I need. I didn't know what hardware to buy to do the job, so many thanks for the tip.

My PC doesn't currently have a wireless adapter, so I'll have to buy a wireless network card as well, or do you think a wireless USB dongle would be suitable?

 

[seven7seven]

From what you said in your post it sounds like a Wireless Access Point is what I need. I didn't know what hardware to buy to do the job, so many thanks for the tip.

It's a pleasure, that's what MyBB is here for

My PC doesn't currently have a wireless adapter, so I'll have to buy a wireless network card as well, or do you think a wireless USB dongle would be suitable?

Either of those would work fine. A USB dongle is easier to install though. Uniterm Direct also sell wireless adapters (cards & dongles ->http://www.dbg.co.za/index.php?cPath=1_55_63).

For some reason their shipping charges are cheaper if you buy from them on BidorBuy (http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1235863/Uniterm_Direct) than if you buy directly from their website.

 

[Yenolo]

Thanks Richard, I had a look at their web site and I'm actually quite close to their Cape Town branch so I'll pop in there tomorrow and buy the Access Point and a USB dongle.

I'll post a report of how the installation went once I get it setup - hopefully tomorrow night!

 

[seven7seven]

Cool - hopefully your next post will be from your wireless connection hehe

 

[Yenolo]

Got the access point set up today - finally! Had to go out of town on business; so only got round to doing it today.

I bought the TP-Link WA701ND with TP-Link TL-WN722NC USB adapter from Uniterm. They were easy to set up and I'm getting great signal strength. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!