Extending a Wired Network via Wireless

svan

svan

svan

Associate
Joined
21 Jan 2003
Posts
496
Location
Surrey
Hello evb,

I wonder if someone will guide me in te right direction.

I currently have a structured cabled wired network with 30 PC and a Server. I have installed a new laptop with buildin wirelss in another room without any network ports and I can't really run a long cable.

Whats is the best method to connect this to the rest of the network and what piece of kit can you recommend?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

svan :)
 
You do need a wireless access point. Choice is fairly limited these days try Netgear, Linksys, Buffalo or even Belkin.

This will need to be added by ethernet wire to your main network and be issued with a valid IP address by a DHCP server or by a manual setting.

The default security settings on the WAP device and for the wifi network must be changed before you attach to prevent a security risk. Your laptop could then log in normally first to the wifi network then to the server.

The router will have to recieve a valid IP address from your DHCP server. not sure how this might be controlled by your server software or by any router you may be using.

You could consider using 2 homeplug adaptes (ethernet thorugh the mains) instead as it is less risky but this may not work if your on very different electical circuits as many commercial ares might be.
 
Alternatively, you could set up an ad hoc network between a nearby PC which is always on and the laptop (by buying a PCI wireless card for that nearby PC). While this has the potential to be less secure, and relies on the PC being on (and also possibly seems less professional!), this is still a viable and significantly cheaper alternative to a wireless access point. That said, it doesn't sound as though you're scrimping and saving here anyway :)

Roo
 
A Cheapo Netgear WAP is only around £60 and is easy to setup.
I have a few hear at work that I setup and it only takes around 10 minutes per WAP.
Even easier if you have a DHCP server on the LAN handing out IP addresses.
 
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