Use of wireless modem on router

[pjphilli]

Hi

I currently use a Netgear 54 MBPS Wireless Router type WGR614 which is connected to the internet by an Ethernet cable from the Telstra cable modem.
I would like to change my internet connection to a wireless type modem which would plug directly into a USB port on my PC. Is there some way I can still connect my PC to the Netgear Router which only has ethernet input connections?

Cheers Peter

[Chancellor]

Hi Peter
You can use the WGR614 as an access point / switch to share your Internet connection, however it's not a great way to set it up. This type of setup would require you to setup internet connection sharing on your PC, which basically means your PC will take the part of the router, leaving the WGR614 as only a simple device which distributes the connection to other PCs.

My advice would be to look at one of the specifically made routers that can share a 3G connection, especially if you have not purchased anything yet. It is a lot easier in the long run.

Otherwise, if you do want to change your WGR614 to be a simple access point / switch only, you can: (Please excuse me if the locations are slightly off, it has been 4 years since looking at a Netgear user interface)

- Log into the WGR614 by going to http://192.168.0.1/ or 192.168.1.1/ (Depending on what version of WGR614 you have, one of these should work). The username will be 'admin' and the default password is 'password'.
- Go to LAN IP settings, then disable the option for "use the router as a dhcp server". Also change the LAN IP address to 192.168.0.254. The last number does not matter too much, as long as it's not 1.
- Apply that configuration.

You will probably lose connection to the router at this time. That's ok.

The next part depends on what operating system you are using on the computer you are using to share the connection.
For Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Using-ICS-Internet-Connection-Sharing
For Windows Vista: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-vista/Using-ICS-Internet-Connection-Sharing
For Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306126

Once you have configured Internet connection sharing on the Internet connected PC, you should be able to log back into the WGR614 using 192.168.0.254. (If you used another IP for the LAN IP address listed above, use that instead)

Assuming everything went right, you should now be able to browse the internet on the other computers.

Note: There is nothing plugged into the WAN / Internet port of the WGR614 in this configuration.

The reason why I suggest not to do this type of configuration is because it gets very fiddly very quickly. Windows Internet Connection Sharing has never been all that great (I'll admit I have not used it since Windows XP) and depends on that PC always being on to get an internet connection.

If you do wish to go ahead, and want some more documentation / help with the Netgear side of things, let me know. I think I still should have some of my old documentation which I'll be happy to send through.

[mithrandir]

Draytek (and probably others) have models which allow you to plug in a 3G USB modem into the USB port on the router.

This is more reliable than plugging the wireless into a PC, and does not mean you need that PC on for any other PC to have internet access.

Also letting the router do all the work of setting up your network will preserve your hair. Internet Connection Sharing drives me crazy, and I'm in IT.

[pjphilli]

Thanks Jeff and Andrew for your very helpful replies which will enable me to make an informed decision.
Cheers Peter