My mother wants to have two computers connected to the internet in our house. We currently have cable internet, which runs very nicely and at very nice speeds. However, the company really doesn't seem to want to set up two connections. The other solution is a router, but I'm worry about the lag and latency issues with Starcraft.

Is there an internet service that would allow a wireless connection and a wired connection, and what's the price we'd be looking at?

Can't you just set up a wireless router? You don't need any specific ISP to have wireless, that's on your end. And SC takes so little bandwidth, it's doubtful you'll lag with two people using the internet.

If you have a cable connection you're not going to have issues playing starcraft through a router. Starcraft was built for the 56k era.

If you have been using it without a router anyway, you could even put in your computer as a DMZ host if you really want to simplify setup (though it isn't recommended). This would basically make the computer almost be as if it wasn't behind a router. Port forwarding is better to do if you can, because then you're not opening your computer up completely to the internet and depending solely on your computer's firewall to protect it.

I will say most routers I've used are a bitch about port forwarding. Make sure you get one that is absolutely guaranteed to forward and if you can, verified personally by someone who's used the exact model.

Get a 2wire ;o

Just something I noticed from your original post Wil, you seem to think that it's the speed that becomes a problem with SC when installing a router. This really isn't true in that sense, because it's not that the router cannot output the speed needed, it's that the ports needed for speedy operation are closed, and need to be opened. As long as you don't go getting some cheapo shit router you'll be fine.

DM said to get a 2wire, which he has used and has set up perfectly for both SC and WC3, so I'd say go with that.

The routers I've used have always been fairly simple to forward ports on..

Like everyone else said just get a router; you will be fine.

If you really fear the router, you can buy a wireless card for your desktop computer and then set up an ad-hoc wireless network and bridge it with your normal connection.

Really, though, you should get a router. Just don't get a crappy router.

Getting a router also means added security. And port forwarding is real easy, takes only a minute.

Can you get DSL and Cable internet? DSL would be plenty fast for your mum, or cable. Whichever is faster where you are from? Anyways that's what I would do.

I'd get a router. ;o
If necessary I can help set it up ...

I have wireless with a low connection speed and on the far side of the house which gives me only one bar(only) Thought I can play starcraft and download, and play radio with winamp and no lag problems and can still host
parents want to amp the wireless which will probably give me more bars and better connection



-Dalton

I'd avoid wireless if you can.
Also, avoid linksys. They suck now.
Make sure you read lots of reviews of whatever you are planning on getting.

THANK YOU. I am TIRED of people saying Linksys is the best.

I got a cheap wireless router for $50 a few years ago, a Belkin. I didn't know anything about wireless routers back then (and I still really don't know what I can do with it except port forwarding). I had absolutely no knowledge whatsoever about router settings, and it was still inherently easy. Even this cheap router serves me well, although I do notice a change in speed between the wireless connection (for the PC in the next room) and my main PC's wired connection to the router. Had to forward a port for uTorrent, and I think that's about it, though I've been using it for so long now I can't remember everything that I've had to do with it.

I actually had one of these before I switched to 2wire, it served me well but it wasnt a router, so a upgrade was imminate.

What's the price range for a solid 2wire router?

Most routers actually go up to four ports minimum. Plus, I looked all over Best Buy for a nice cheap router, but they are all at least 60 USD because they have a wireless feature built in.

I actually have a splitter and a router. For the splitter, one end goes into the router, and the other goes into my television cable box. The router is hooked up to my internet modem and my Xbox 360. Keep in mind, this is all on one cable jack. It all works great without lag too.

2wire is a company.

Anyways, most people like this router and this router if you install DD-WRT on them.