[jonny p]

Has anyone out there got a Wanadoo Livebox ADSL modem /Router?If so can you use it to set up a home network?I can't get much sense from Wanadoo on the subject.They say you can connect up to 6 PCs to the internet via the Livebox, but that its not suitable for a home network.Is this possible? I thought if you had a router, other than configuring the settings, that's it you can share data from one PC to another,run peripherals on another machine and so on....any one else help on this?Im already with wanadoo and dont know whether to upgrade to their wireless package or start again from scratch if what they offer 'isnt the full ticket'. I need a full blown network, 3 PCS with shared printer facility with of course shared broadband.
thanks

[Couriant]

Well in theory you should be OK. The router side would be dealing with your network. I'm not too sure on what they meant by not suitable.

[jonny p]

no Im not sure either, which is why im wondering if it is some sort of 'half way' house between a full router and an 'internet' router only ie which enables multiple broadband access but not communication between the different PC's, if there is such a thing. Ithink i need to find someone thats got one...but thanks for your comments.

[JohnWill]

If you stick a $20 eight port switch on one of the ports, all the machines will be able to see each other, and they'll still all share the Internet. That is assuming that this box doesn't work like every other SOHO router and have a standard switch built-in. Their statement doesn't make sense.

Why not just buy a standard wireless router and tell them to keep their box?

[Couriant]

i'm guessing he may need to get a modem too since this one has both.

I never really understood those ones... the modem/router boxes... seems to be more trouble than good.

[JohnWill]

Since he's already with the ISP, I assumed he had a DSL modem.

[jonny p]

OK folks thanks for your further input and this is the situation:

1. I have a Wanadoo (actually Thompson Speedtouch) USB modem already for the ADSL broadband; if i upgrade to their 'Livebox' this will be redundant as the LIVEBOX includes a modem.

2.The' Livebox' is not promoted on the Wanadoo website as a 'networking' tool, simply a means for a number of PC's to simultaneously access one broadband account. Unlike a number of produscts I have seen on the net such as Belkin ADSL modem with router which state on the box that networking is their express function.However I suspect Johnwill your comments on the 'switch' may lie at the heart of the problem. If you need a 'switch' (and forgive me but i am unsure of the function of this' switch' in this context) for networking , then i suspect the livebox does not contain such a switch.The Belkin products I have seen make reference to a switch. However if I have to start buying additional components to make the 'Livebox'work in a network situation then its not worth the trouble.

3.Wanadoo support staff only regurgitate the contents of the Website so i cannot glean any further info on the nature of the livebox.

4.As Im inclining to youir suggestion to get my own wireless router, can i just get a wireless router and plug it into the usb modem; or best to start again, discard the usb modem and get an all in one ADSLmodem wireless router?Obviously I need the 'switch'

5.One last point, I want to use one printer shared between 3 PC's, one Belkin Product I saw contains ADSL modem, wireless router, switch AND 'printer server'. Do I need this last item or can I configure the system without it to use the printer from any PC?

The whole point of my considering the Livebox was, is to upgrade to it is ony £3 a month; ADSL mdem/wireless router/ printer server =£80-90
Thanks for the help

[JohnWill]

You need a modem with an Ethernet connection, or obviously the ADSL modem/router will also do the trick. What's the point of their Livebox, faster speed or just sharing the Internet? If it's just sharing, I'm surprised you can't find an ADSL/router for less than $140-150 USD! Is the UK really that much more expensive?

[jonny p]

Just sharing the internet, its not any faster;the routerI mentioned for £80-£90 was the one with the printer server, you can get them on line without that for about £60.
So unless anybody has any positive experience of the Livebox for the purpose I need it for I'll go that way.
By the way it is quite expensive over here!

[Josh8178]

Hi, i have one of these Wanadoo LiveBox Routers/Modems and it can be used as a networking device, i currently have 2 laptops connecting wirelessly and 3 PC's connected by ethernet in my house, All you have to do is use the network setup wizard built into Windows XP and you can easily share files and folders over your network, then you can access them from any PC on your network by going into my network places and the PC's will show up (Providing You Set Up Each One). Oh yeah and about a printer server, i have a quite old USB Epson R200 Printer connected to my main PC downstairs, if you set it up right and install the printer drivers on every PC on your network, you can print from any PC connected to your network even wireless devices (Providing The PC with the printer is powered on), That's What i do, hope this helps, Josh

So i would call it a 'Full router'

[JohnWill]

I was astounded to hear they might not work through the LiveBox, but since I had no way of checking.

FWIW, even so, for £3 a month, it takes less than two years to own that router you're considering, so I think I'd still buy it. Remember, they're not offering the rental as a favor, they're making money on it!

[jonny p]

Josh 8178- thanks a lot for that feedback, it looks like it does everything I need it to. I don't know why Wanadoo don't promote it as a general networking tool, maybe they'd have greater takeup! Also thats useful about the printer since thats one of the main reasons for doing this.
JohnWill ;yes you're right but if i'm seen to spend anymore on computer equipment by my dear wife after i have just ordered a new PC, then i'll be setting it up in the garden shed!

[JohnWill]

Well, there is always that aspect of "saving money".

[Nevy]

I have been following this thread, and I too am having trouble configuring my Livebox to work as part of a network. Could Josh8178 tell me how to actually configure the box, without loosing the internet caopability aswell. I plugged my USB pen with the wireless netwrok wizard thingy on it into the USB port on the back of the livebox, but I dont think much happened. Is that how you do it, or did you have to manualy configure yours?

thanks,

Nevy

[ianhtsg]

I have also taken Orange (Wanadoo) up on the "Free" broadband offer and have got the livebox, I also have a netgear DG834GT Wireless Modem Router and would rather go wireless through this because of security.
But am not sure to use it instead of ,or as well as Livebox for best results?