Q: I have just bought a monthly Virgin Media Broadband/TV/Phone package and we opted for the wireless broadband. We got a Netgear WG111 USB adapter and a Netgear Router. We would however like to link up another PC without having to keep switching USB adapters over. Can I buy any make of USB adapter? Like Belkin or the "Sweex LW053" (recommended to me) or do I have to use the same make? Thanks
A: hi mate yes,the manufactuer is not important,however you need to ensure the wireless standard is compatible,for example if your wireless broadband router supports wireless 802.11g/b then make sure your wireless usb adapter supports both these i say this because some wireless routers such as the new bt home hub support the improved 802.11n standard which has a greater wireless range(300m) if you want to link another pc to your virgin router then apart from a wireless connection you could also connect using a rj-45(network/ethernet) lead,and using the network switch you can have up to 8 wired connections from just 1 ethernet port,and considering most routers have at least 2 10/100 ethernet ports this means you could have up to(and more) 16 connections a wireless switch is a powered unit that connects to your router via the uplink socket,and then you simply connect your ethernet leads to any of the remaining ports and unlike when connecting more and more pc,s and laptops to a normal router theres no slow down when you connect more p.c,s belkin are a excellent brand of network products as are linksys and netgear however avoid sweex if you can any problems let me know good luck mate !