Wireless Router Questions (brand, N or G, best router)

[russrock1]

I am attempting to go wireless for the first time and have no experience with wireless routers. There is currently a cable connection in my home but the wireless connection will be for my new desktop. I have been looking through Cnets reviews and am not sure if Draft N or wireless G is the way to go. There are also so many choices as far as routers go so if anyone can suggest a great router please do.

FYI gaming is NOT a concern here.

[PrntRhd]

but the wireless connection will be for my new desktop.
You do know you picked the hardest device to keep a stable connection for? I would recommend an adapter for the desktop with a cable to give you some movement capabilities to find the signal. A PCI card for the adapter is usually better than a USB thumbdrive sized adapter that does not move.

Right now I would recommend you stick with one vendor for both wireless router and adapter as the implentation of the standards are sometimes not completely the same. G-speed is still faster than your Internet connection, so should be fast enough and is standardized.
I like Linksys (Cisco) stuff for their support, Netgear is my other choice.

Here is one using a USB cable: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416827517&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper
Here is one with N-specs: http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&cid=1144763512962
http://www.directron.com/wusb300n.html
http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=111759&Redir=1&description=Linksys-Wireless%20G%20PCI%20Adapter-Wireless%20Networking

[Variable]

It appears the WRT54G version 6 -8 have a built in Stateful Packet Inspection firewall that cannot be modified or turned off. You can have some problems with something using VOIP for instance.

[Heartborne]

In my experience, unless you will be doing a lot of work on the internal network as far as sharing resources and moving large files from one pc to another, you don't need a very fast network connection. Draft N, last I heard, was not quite stable yet. Go with 802.11 b/g for now and worry about N when it works properly.
I cannot stress the following enough: The speed of your network connection does not affect your internet connection speed.

[risk_reversal]

I would agree with Heartborne that if you are not going to create a network and will be predominently using your router to share an internet connection then g will be fine (for now at least until you understand what it is that you want to do).

Be advised that resolving poor wireless connections especially in houses with thick wall can also be a bit of a 'black art'. If you have such a house then you will almost certainly need a higher db antenna on your wireless router than the provided 5db one. Some routers allow you to unscrew the antenna and replace them (eg they use reverse sma plugs) in other HW (like my speedtouch st585) the antenna is fixed.

You will need a pci wireless card for your desktop (stay away from usb as has been stated). Here also you may find that the antenna will need to be replaced with a panel. Go to the solwise site for some info.

Antenna are omnidirectional ie emit doughnut shaped signal, panel emit cone shaped signals. I have various types in my house.

My advise would be to go for something easy to configure like a netgear as a starter which I think you will find more than satisfactory. Stay away from the Speedtouch the interface, is not for beginners.

Good luck

[PrntRhd]

It appears the WRT54G version 6 -8 have a built in Stateful Packet Inspection firewall that cannot be modified or turned off. You can have some problems with something using VOIP for instance.
I agree,
I was posting about adapters and neglected Wireless router recommendations.
Linksys WRT54GL would be a good choice. Twice the device memory than WRT54G, also takes open source third party firmware if desired.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124190

[mjc]

And doesn't have any 'non-configurable' features...

[Heartborne]

Wireless is generally not reliable. It cuts out for mysterious reasons more frequently than you'd like to know, and what seems like a solution is more often a temporary fix.

Think about it this way; a wireless network signal is one of hundreds of thousands of wireless signals being broadcast around us at all times. Anything can bang into it and disrupt it, even a radio or a television signal.