Can a router cause a network to disconnect from the internet?

Question

I work at a high school and I bought a Netgear wireless router for my classroom so I wouldn't have to have my laptop connected to a wire running to the wall. I set it up and when I went to school yesterday.. there was a note from our tech person stating that my router knocked out the internet to the whole high school wing. Is this possible? I thougtht that a router was basically like hooking up a computer. The only thing I have hooked up to it is my room computer.

Answer 1

yes, it can lock up the network system.  

Answer 2

Yes that is possible.

Answer 3

Although your intentions were good by trying to make it easier to get your computer work done, you should really leave any modifications to the IT staff.

The router may have caused addressing issues withing the network among other things. Most home networking equipment will have services like DHCP, which was already available on the network and caused a conflict. Next time, ask your IT Dept. to install it for you, that way they know it works and is secure.