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What are my options for wireless internet in my dorm?

Apparently the dorms are "hardwired for internet" with 2 connections per room. I understand that I would need an Ethernet cable, but I don't want to be hooked to a cable all the time. Would I have to get a router, or could i get an adapter like so http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/computer/categories/networking/1/accessories/Q6273A%25231H9 What are my options?

Public Comments

1. The adapter you were looking at is for printing documents, you need to get a router for what you plan to do.
2. Options: 1. Ethernet cable from wall to computer. 2. Ethernet cable to wireless router to wireless enabled device If you go about the latter, you'll need a wireless router (about $50 to $100) that will be connected to the ethernet port in the dorm room. That will beam a nice little wireless signal for you. Then your computer will need to have a way of accessing that wireless signal. If it's a laptop, chances are it has a wireless card already. If it's a desktop, you'll need either a PCI wireless care or a USB wireless adaptor. Please note: the wireless adaptor you linked is a BLUETOOTH adaptor. It will not connect you to a wireless signal. Check with your college residential life program. A dorm in 2010 that is not covered by a wireless signal would be abnormal, so you may just need your computer to be wireless signal accepting.
3. If thats how the system works, then the whole router-system should be already set up by the dorm staff. If all you need is to connect an ethernet cable from your wall to your PC, then to get wireless should be simple if you use something like this: http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=292 You just need to plug the ethernet cable into this and it produces the Wireless. :) !!!!! BE WARNED: I have just made the assumption of the whole router-system. This should work under those circumstances. YOU ARE ADVISED to consult a dorm staff member on how their system works before you end up buying that. It just takes 3 minutes out of the both of yours' day. :)
4. Get a wireless router. You could plug directly into the wall, but your PC is exposed (unsecured) to the whole network, same with an Access Point (AP). With a router you get a hardware firewall with security features like SPI & NAT between your PC(s) and the rest of the network which keeps your files from being exposed to everyone else on the campus network. You get all of the features of the Access Point and then some. If you move off campus, a router will work for whatever broadband connection you wind up with at that location also. An access point would still require a router in this situation. For an unbeatable price on a wireless router, get this steal at Verizon. Yes, it will work anywhere any other consumer-grade router will work. Verizon service not required. http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=11605