| [ADSL] BT Broadband on Belkin wireless router Ok, so I've been a BT Broadband customer for nearly a year now but recently brought a Belkin ADSL modem with built-in wireless router. Having connected the router, I found that my laptop (with notebook card) can access the internet at any time. Thats ok, but I am a little worried about the fact that I don't have to connect to use the net.
Anyways, I have tried to make it so that you have to connect but having unplugged my old BT Voyager 100 ADSL modem the BT software doesn't seem to be able to detect the modem/router. I keep getting a message like: "No dialing tone". Now, if I select "Never dial a connection" (under Internet Properties/Connections), the PC does what the laptop does and connect anyway. Can anyone help me as to how I can get it so that you HAVE to connect to BT Broadband before you can surf the web?
Help is hugely appreciated. |
| You're describing how routers work - they do leave you permanently connected to the Internet. This isn't a problem - so long as your firewalling is OK. The NAT in the router (which shares your connection) will provide a measure of security too.
What you must do is make sure you're using the highest level of wireless security you can. If both ends support it, use WPA-PSK with a long key (ideally 20 or more characters - including mixed case and punctuation), otherwise use WEP with a 128 bit key. If your router has the function, enable the MAC filter and enter the MAC address of the wireless network card in your laptop as the only card that's allowed to connect through the filter.
The desktop PC should be on "Never dial a connection" with a router.
With your wireless secured, and your wired network assumed secure (someone would have to plug in to your wired network to use your Internet connection), you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Indeed, your connection will probably be more stable with a router than with a USB modem.
David |
