I want to string together our 12 PCs using a wireless ADSL modem/router, both to give shared internet access and also file sharing among each other. I note that most models come with 4 cable ports, for wired devices, but how many wireLESS devices can they support? NONE of them seem to explain this in their specs. Is it determined by a given number of channels, or suchlike? Or do I connect the PCs into a 16 way switch first, and thence up to the router? Could somebody please clarify both these points? Many thanks! CW

how many computers you can connect via wireless to an access point depends on the hardware manufacturer. It is a shame that this information doesn't get published. Only one way to find out is to configure all of the pcs for wireless, and then have all of them access the internet at the same time. There are 11 channels that internal aps support, but this is used to avoid cross talk when you have two or more working in the same network. example: setup ap1 using channel 1, setup ap2 using channel 6, etc... this is done in case their range overlaps with one another. Connecting the pcs via wire to the adsl modem will only prove that the dsl modem can recognize all of the pcs, it won't prove that it will be able to handle all of them using wireless. If you can let us know which wireless adsl modem you are looking at, we might be able to find the answer published somewhere. Hope this info helps

The documentation for your router should tell you the maximum number of clients, but it's usually 256. Because of bandwidth restrictions commerical wireless outfits try to limit it to <20 clients per WAP. Unless several of your users d/l MP3s and porn all day you should be OK with 12 clients.

Many thanks for both responses. So it looks as though I don't need to use a switch or hub, all 12 PCs can just talk direct to the router? And I should plug the two (wired) printers into two of its four ports? There are two models I am thinking of, both have had great reviews particularly for their ease of setup: Netgear WGT 624 Belkin F5D7231 Any further comments much appreciated. CW

While the access point will probably allow access up to 20 clients, if your 12 users surf the net and perform medium size file transfers you will be sorely disappointed with your access point's speed. Sure it will work, but expect less than stellar performance. You should check for any wireless interference, too, as that will affect your user's performance. The formula to follow is "advertised access point speed" divided by 2 divided by the number of users = actual speed...on a good day. You divide the access point's speed by 2 because half the speed is for uploading and the other half is for downloading, then dividing that number by your number of users for your actual throughput, (speed). Don't believe what your system tray tells you, it lies...

I own a Netgear WGT 624 and if your after ease of setup then thats what it's got :) Good features and decent speed too Gigabyte K8NSNXP-939 Athlon 64 3500+ @2450 Dual - Corsair TwinX CMX512-3200XL Gecube X800 XT Platinum Seagate 200 Gig Coolermaster Wavemaster Silver

I've owned 3 Netgear routers. The first, an RT-314 Ethernet, is still up and running after 5 years with no problems (knock on woood). I wanted to replace it with a more modern router so I picked up another Netgear a couple of years later but this one wouldn't connect to the Internet after several weeks of trying so I sent it back. Last fall I bought a Netgear WGT634U wireless router bceause I wanted to upgrade my LAN but again, it wouldn't connect to the Internet and finally died after much tinkering. Netgear was bought out a couple of years after my first router and since then their quality and service have gone to hell. Some people report they have no problem at all, their routers work straight out of the box, others report nothing but trouble with them. I used to recommend Netgear to everyone, after my experiences and what I've read online from recent buyers I can't anymore. Linksys makes good routers and Belkin isn't bad, either. I just don't trust Netgear anymore.