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Wireless Network

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by digital_dna 1 view

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Feeling kind of stupid after reading through some of these posts.

I need to add computers to my existing wireless network. Let me start with what I have.

I already have a linksys Wireless G Broadband Router (WRT54G). I have four computers connected to the Router via ethernet. I have a compaq iPAQ that I am able to access the internet with wirelessly. Everything works great.

Now, I have three computers upstairs that I want to add to the network wirelessly. The problem is, I have a very poor signal upstairs. I need a way to extent the signal so I can add those PC's and share my Broadband Internet Connection with them.

What do I need? Linksys has a wireless signal booster which attaches directly to the router however,I don't know how much further that is going to extend my signal. I was thinking of adding an access point upstairs but I'm kind of confused as to what it is and how to set it up.

Access Point - does the access point have to be hard wired to myexisting wireless router downstairs? The reason I ask is because there appears to be a RJ-45 connector on the back. I'm wondering what that port is for if its wireless? I should be able to just plug the access point into the wall to extend the signal right????

Also, what the heck is bridging?

Can someone plese help..

Regards
ebcdic

9 replies

by dmiles

This will be difficult to determine,the access point is relatively a booster to the existing signal that is equipped with power antennas to boost your signal.
I would check with Linksys to see if their product will provide the signal in the distance of the seperated stations and location

You will need to connect to existing Router with a Cat-5 cable w/RJ 45 connector to the router

Bridging- Is a method of path selection (contrast routing),it relies on broadcasting and it is not that efficient,is usually the only option for switching among multiple networks.

by ann777

The Access Point (AP) needs to be hardwired to the router on your network. What you need to do, connect it somewhere at the outermost distance away from the router on the second floor in a central location or near your other computers.

Bridging is a secondary term that means the same as connecting two networks together... it extends your distance limitations. By using an AP, you are extending your network; you are bridging.

I do not know about the wireless signal booster. If you cannot wire from the router to a central location for the AP, you might be able to get by with using a signal booster. I'd be leary of that though, becuase if it's placed right next to the router, then it's not really in a position to extend the signal very much further.

It's going to depend on distances, obstacles, electromagnetic interferance, etc. I have no idea what your distances are, nor what the blocks (obstacles to your current signal) are due to. You might need to take some distancemeasurements and determine how many walls, or other interferance causing agents (TV, Radio, microwave, certain types of lighting, etc.), the signal has to deal with in order to reach the other computers.

by ann777

Essentially, yes, you are correct. The point of the AP is to extend distance.... but it has to have a strong signal in order to do so. The best way for a strong signal is to direct connect it. Check with LinkSys as to whether it will operate wirelessly at all... it might work... but depending on factors beyond their control (distance, EMF, walls, flooring, etc), it might not.

"If this is the case I'm also going to have to purchase a switch because I'm out of ports on the back of the router." The router is a switch, you'll be a lot better off with a hub.

"If I understand the process correctly it is going involve removing one of the computers from Port 4, using four as the uplink port, and connecting the router to the switch which will give me the additional ports I need. Does that sound right?" Basically, yes... remove one of the four cables from the router and connect it to the uplink port on the hub. Connect the AP to the hub in a regular numbered port (not shared with the uplink port).

Do I have any other options?

by ann777

The only other option would be to create a second network upstairs and use an intermediatary device between the two to operate as a link or go-between. I've done this too... on a laptop using NetSwitcher ( www.netswitcher.com ) software, and using a laptop to connect to one network, grab the data, then connect to the other network, and transfer the data and forth between the two networks. It's awkward and time consuming

The best option is to physically wire between the floors, using external walls and a conduit outside the house (if you do not want to go through the floor) to directly connect an AP upstairs.

by ann777

I'm sorry, my response is incorrect:

If I understand the process correctly it is going involve removing one of the computers from Port 4, using four as the uplink port, and connecting the router to the switch which will give me the additional ports I need. Does that sound right?"

Basically, yes... "remove one of the four cables from the router" and connect it to the uplink port on the hub. Connect the AP to the hub in a regular numbered port (not shared with the uplink port).

Remove one of the four cables from a computer and connect it to the uplink port on the hub.

by digital_dna

Anna777,

Two more questions:

1.) Do I use a X-over patch cable to connect the two devices or a straight-through patch cable? The new linksys products are supposed to be auto-sensing. In theory they are supposed to know if you?re using a X-over cable or not.

2.) Will you marry me? :-) You can email me with your reply.

Thanks for the information.

ebcdic2@earthlink.net

by digital_dna

Basically it sounds like what I'm going to have to do is run Cat5e or Cat6 cable through the walls upstairs to my office downstairs and then connect the AP via patch cable to the router. Is that correct? If so it kind of defeats the purpose of wireless.

If this is the case I'm also going to have to purchase a switch because I'm out of ports on the back of the router. If I understand the process correctly it is going involve removing one of the computers from Port 4, using four as the uplink port, and connecting the router to the switch which will give me the additional ports I need. Does that sound right?

Do I have any other options?

Thanks

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