New to this wireless thing...

[Frances144]

I have bought an ethernet router which will support up to 10 computers using wireless, I think.  It is an Voyager 2091 -

"The Voyager 2091 wireless router allows you to connect up to 10 computers to the broadband service without the use of cables and wires. Ideal if you have multiple computers in your home with which you wish to have simultaneous access to the Internet.

The 2091 is Wireless Security enabled on start-up using Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) with 128 bit encryption; it will also support WPA and WPA2. With a built in firewall, only authorised computers will be able to use your network.

There is one Ethernet port and one USB port on the 2091 to enable wired connections of up to 2 wired devices, including computers, game consoles and other Ethernet-enabled equipment if required. To connect using the USB port, you will need to have a computer running Windows 2000 or XP. If you have a Mac running OS-X 10.1 and above you will be able to connect using the Ethernet port on this router."

Question is, I have another iBook (partner's new one off Ebay) and children's pc plus my new iMac.  I would like to link them all together and have bought an Apple AirPort Express Base Station with AirTunes.

AirPort Express with AirTunes is an incredible wireless product that allows you to play iTunes music over your wireless network to your home stereo or powered speakers. It also allows you to share both a broadband Internet connection for up to 10 users and a USB printer.


Do I need both these pieces of kit or will the Voyager do the job and I am just doubling up the kit?  I am not sure I really understand what each bit does.

Thanks
Frances
PS.  Sorry if I am being really really thick.

[Xairbusdriver]

Airport (Extreme) is simply Apple's wireless 'router'. I think they use the term 'router' rather loosely as it has but one output jack ( although there is a USB jack for adding a printer ). Your Voyager may not have any more 'jack' for wires, I don't know.

I don't know why any wireless 'router' would specifically mention a particular number of computers one can connect wirelessly. Any more than a radio station would specify that only 10,000 people can listen at once. That's what these wireless boxes actually are; radio transmitters with very low output levels.

I'd say keep the one that is easiest to set up and use. I just installed my wife's Airport today. While I wouldn't say it was hard, I had more trouble than I thought I would mainly because I didn't want to give up having my Macs use manually entered IP addresses. You can read others comments about Airport and Non-Apple wireless boxes by doing a search here at TS. Most swear by them, some  swear at them!

[Frances144]

So, are you saying they do the same thing?  Do I only need one of them.  I can only send back the Apple thing not the Voyager.  Can I run all the computers in a home network from the Voyager?

Thanks
Fx

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

Can I run all the computers in a home network from the Voyager?

Assuming they are all wireless card equiped, I don't see why not. If some don't have cards, you should still have at least one ethernet output jack on that router. If you have more than one ethernet capable device ( another computer and an ethernet printer, for example ) and there is only one jack ( as on the Airport ), just get a cheap ethernet switch and connect it to the wireless router.

Whether you'll have problems with the Voyager compared to an Airport is the question that seems to late to ask. You might want to check eBay ( or such ) and see what Voyagers are selling for there.

My real suggestion is to ask around before buying stuff. I know a great forum that has plenty of fine people who will be happy to help with those types of quests! Do you need the url?!