NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
Router Model R6120/ Ethernet Cable
Hi. I have an AC1200 WiFi Router Model R6120, which someone else set up for me some time ago. I've never understood PC technology, but recently I've decided to learn the ins and outs of WiFi. I noti...
Margaret246 wrote:
I did notice something when someone stated that I could go to the adapters and disable the Ethernet, if I choose to. On the Windows Network Connections page, I notice that it shows that the Ethernet is connected but the WiFi says "Not Connected." If the WiFi says that I am not connected to it, then I am getting wired Internet instead, but then why am I able to connect to WiFi on my tablet and smartphone?
The PC isn't usually involved in how your other devices connect to the wifi. They talk to the R6120 router.
If Windows says you have an Ethernet connection, then you are wired into the router.
I'd say don't mess around too much. Leave the PC plugged into the router. That is faster and more reliable than wifi.
As my screenshot shows, the idea that Windows will use wifi or wired is just plain wrong. Heaven only knows where that came from. Maybe I misunderstood it.
If it were true, then anyone moving a laptop from place to place would have to reconfigure the PC whenever they moved it.
Did you ever tell us what the modem is between the router and the Internet? And what about the Internet speed you pay for? If that is above 100 Mbps – many are these days – then you are throwing away anything over that speed. It is all that your router can handle.
Margaret246 wrote:
Since I just want WiFi, no wired connection, can I remove this yellow Ethernet cable (there is the blue Ethernet cable from the modem to the router which I know I need to keep in) or do I need to keep it connected?
You can remove the cable and use wifi for your PC, but be prepared for it to be a slower and less reliable connection.
In your case there may not be a huge difference. I say that because your router, pretty well the cheapest that Netgear sells, is already as slow as they come.
According to Netgear's manual for this device, not always the most reliable source of information, the LAN and WAN ports support only 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX. That makes it slower than many newer internet services and most modern network hardware. This may not matter to you, but be warned that it will hobble you if you ever sign up for faster Internet, anything faster than 100 Mbps is a waste of your money.
It also slows down whatever is going on in your local network. Newer devices support at least 1000BASE-TX.
Thank you for your response and I still have a question.
You said: You can remove the cable and use wifi for your PC, but be prepared for it to be a slower and less reliable connection.
I thought that even though the Ethernet cable was connected, I was only getting wireless Internet. Are you saying that the wired cable is also helping me get Internet access?
Thanks.
Depending on WiFi noises and condition, WiFi can be un-reliable and not as good as a wired connection. When you have wifi running and connected the ethernet cable will be disabled. Thus not having any connection. Its up to you to use either connection method based on your needs and desires is all. If you have good wifi connetion, you'll be fine. When you need ethernet connection then you can use this at your leisure. Just keep the ethernet cable connected and have the connection disabled while your not usnig it. It's easy to just enable or disable it from with in Windows.
FURRYe38 wrote:
When you have wifi running and connected the ethernet cable will be disabled.
This is piffle.
Unless you have some exotic operating system, running a wifi connection will not disable the ethernet link. Windows happily allows, even encourages, the two to coexist.
I run wifi and ethernet simultaneously. The idea that a wifi link will disable the ethernet link is astonishingly confused.
Please do not take that suggestion seriously before you do some experiments at your end.
Thus not having any connection. Its up to you to use either connection method based on your needs and desires is all.Yet more dangerously wrong advice.
Margaret246 wrote:
I thought that even though the Ethernet cable was connected, I was only getting wireless Internet. Are you saying that the wired cable is also helping me get Internet access?
YES!
Unless you have set out to break it, any sane network will choose the wired connection over the wifi.
Not so much a case of helping you, as doing all the heavy lifting.
Why do you want to remove the cable?
Hi. I just felt since my computer was on WiFi, I didn't need the Ethernet cable connected. I thought that the cable was only necessary to set up the WiFi connection between my PC and router. However, I think that I will keep it.
I did notice something when someone stated that I could go to the adapters and disable the Ethernet, if I choose to. On the Windows Network Connections page, I notice that it shows that the Ethernet is connected but the WiFi says "Not Connected." If the WiFi says that I am not connected to it, then I am getting wired Internet instead, but then why am I able to connect to WiFi on my tablet and smartphone?
(I am trying to learn a little bit about WiFi so that I won't feel so intimidated by it. I admit that it can be confusing.)
Thank you.
Margaret246 wrote:
I did notice something when someone stated that I could go to the adapters and disable the Ethernet, if I choose to. On the Windows Network Connections page, I notice that it shows that the Ethernet is connected but the WiFi says "Not Connected." If the WiFi says that I am not connected to it, then I am getting wired Internet instead, but then why am I able to connect to WiFi on my tablet and smartphone?
The PC isn't usually involved in how your other devices connect to the wifi. They talk to the R6120 router.
If Windows says you have an Ethernet connection, then you are wired into the router.
I'd say don't mess around too much. Leave the PC plugged into the router. That is faster and more reliable than wifi.
As my screenshot shows, the idea that Windows will use wifi or wired is just plain wrong. Heaven only knows where that came from. Maybe I misunderstood it.
If it were true, then anyone moving a laptop from place to place would have to reconfigure the PC whenever they moved it.
Did you ever tell us what the modem is between the router and the Internet? And what about the Internet speed you pay for? If that is above 100 Mbps – many are these days – then you are throwing away anything over that speed. It is all that your router can handle.
