Wireless Router for cable?

Hi, I need a bit of advice on getting a wireless router for Virgin Media cable (for my sins!). They tell me I will need a DSL as opposed to an ADSL router (so can't use my existing Netgear router which I believe is just ADSL.

Anyway, my setup will be Xbox 360 in lounge by tv and PC in spare room. I was hoping to plug Xbox into router (I'll have it in lounge by the cable socket) via ethernet and PC via wireless. Can I get a cable modem that will allow both wired and wireless connections for Virgin Media?

Also, I already have a netgear WUSB54 (think that's model) on PC. Will I be able to use this on any router I choose or will I need to get a new one specifically for the router?

Any help or advice for this Virgin virgin will be apprecated.

Cheers

James

PS, if you are wondering why anyone would actually choose Virgin, it's cos BT wanted to charge me

I think you have either misquoted / misunderstood them, or they are incompetent.

A DSL and ADSL router are the same things (a router with a DSL modem built it) what you need is a 'broadband' router which generally has an ethernet port that you connect your ethernet modem to (be it cable or ADSL).

Unless things have changed (which they may have) my understanding is that the cable co. supply you with an ethernet modem which would allow you to connect one device, and it's up to you to buy a broadband router (with wireless if needed) which connects to their modem and your devices then connect to your router.

If you buy a wireless broadband router (broadband router with wireless access point built in), then what you want should work (wireless signal quality allowing) and your current USB adapter should be fine.

Most routers suitable for cable are sold as DSL/cable routers, this is a throw back to the USA market where ADSL (DSL) is presented to the end user via a modem with an ethernet connection. So technically the OP was not provided with duff info.

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Most routers suitable for cable are sold as DSL/cable routers, this is a throw back to the USA market

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Yes, and hence the generic term 'broadband' router rather than the more specific term 'cable' router which would be a little more appropriate for the UK.

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the USA market where ADSL (DSL) is presented to the end user via a modem with an ethernet connection

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The reason is revealing. In the USA, cable is much more dominant and therefore it's in the ADSL provider's interest to supply a service allowing a cable customer to re-use their existing router when switching. In the UK it's the reverse - ADSL is dominant and so it's in the ADSL provider's interest to have their customers use ADSL specific technology to make a switch to cable less attractive.

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In the UK it's the reverse - ADSL is dominant and so it's in the ADSL provider's interest to have their customers use ADSL specific technology to make a switch to cable less attractive.

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I think ADSL routers just came about because people liked a one box solution. I dont think the Providers had much to do with this. ADSL companies were happy providing USB modems (costs) until fairly recently.

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ADSL companies were happy providing USB modems

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Because they don't have to worry nearly as much about being able to persuade cable customers to switch. The lower costs as compared to an ethernet ADSL modem would be far less attractive to the ISP if they did need to worry as happens in the USA.

I'm sure there's some truth in the preference for a one box ADSL router, but I think they arose mainly because it's technically very difficult to provide a router that could be used with the ISP's USB connected ADSL modem. I don't think many cable customers using cable modem plus broadband router are too concerned about having two boxes.

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So technically the OP was not provided with duff info.

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Technically it IS duff info as the router he needs to get does not contain any DSL circuitry. I don't care what the yanks call them, that doesn't make it right and we aren't in Yankland.

They are called Broadband routers (and not cable routers as someone else suggested) as you can use them in combination with either an ADSL ethernet modem or a cable one.

Anyway - I hope the OP has an better idea of what she/he is after.

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They are called Broadband routers (and not cable routers as someone else suggested) as you can use them in combination with either an ADSL ethernet modem or a cable one.

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Nope. both DSL/Cable Router , and Broadband Router are marketing terms. Although the DSL one was very confusing for consumers that wanted to buy something that could connect directly to the phone line. You cant nit-pick over marketing terms, as broadband is also wrong in that case.

Technically they are plain ethernet Routers, and ethernet is not broadband.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband

Actually it's not nit-picking, it's called common sense.

Yes they are ethernet routers so can be used (in combination with a suitable modem) for any flavour of Broadband. So at least the term Broadband Router is not confusing (and is incidentally what they are sold as in the UK so useful to the OP)

Telling the OP to buy a DSL Router, or suggesting this advice is not wrong/confusing, is stupid - if you are lacking the common sense needed to see that though there is little point discussing it.

Still - at least you learned something from a google search - good for you...

Thanks for the advice and info.

So essentially, I should try my exiting router (I think it's a Linksys Wag54 or something) with the cable modem they supply. I'm a bit worried as that unit also has a modem in it - do you think it might get confused? Ie, plugging a router with modem into another modem?

Anyway, I'll give it a shot and let you know how I get on.

Cheers