Hi Dean,

For the most part, if you stick with the name brands (LinkSys, Netgear,
D-Link, etc), you will find they all have very similar features. I see no
problem with any of these supporting your requirements.

Whether you want to go wireless or not depends on you. You obviously have a
wired connection to your wife's computer, so it isn't absolutely required.
On the other hand, if you got a wireless (most have 4 wired ports in
addition to the wireless connectivity) router, you wouldn't be restricted
if you decide to move her computer elsewhere in the house in the future.
(My wife has a tendency to re-arrange furniture and rooms on a whim) Or to
support a laptop anywhere in the house. I would suggest the newer super-G
models or the extended range models which do a better job of eliminating
dead spots and such.

HTH,
Russ Poffenberger
[log in to unmask]

At 07:15 AM 9/1/2005, you wrote:
>I am currently getting internet service via a DirecWay satellite
>receiver.  It goes from a DirecWay modem
>into a USB port on my computer.  I share the service with my wife's
>computer via a hard-wired ethernet
>connection.  (Although it is expensive, I have been happy with DirecWay.)
>
>Friday morning I will transfer over to WildBlue in place of
>DirecWay.  (These are supplied through my
>R.E.C.)  WildBlue will use an ethernet connection, so I can now use a
>router to give a direct connection
>to both my computer and my wife's computer.  (Her download speeds have
>been about one-fourth those that I
>have enjoyed because of the overhead of going through my computer.  I am
>sure that she will enjoy the new
>speeds!)
>
>I need to purchase a router, and I know almost nothing about
>them.  Therefore, I am soliciting advice
>from you.
>
>I would like the router to have the following three features, if possible,
>in decreasing order of
>importance.
>
>1) Provide 1.5MB/sec transfer speed
>
>2) Provide as secure a connection (firewall?) as is reasonable for the cost
>
>3) Permit interconnection between our two computers
>
>
>Cost is not of significant concern (up to several hundred dollars), if the
>features that I get for the
>money are worth it.
>
>The tech I just spoke with recommended LinkSys.  Also Consumer Reports
>said to get wireless ("only costs
>a few dollars more").  I suppose that wireless would be ok, if it would
>not compromise my three criteria
>stated above.
>
>My questions are,
>    1.  Is it possible to have all three criteria met?
>    2.  Can you recommend a hardware solution?
>    3.  Is wireless the way to go?
>
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Dean Kukral   [log in to unmask]
>
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