Using an old router as an access point?

StixxUK · 15 May 2009 at 12:34

Just wondering... I'm setting something up where I'm going to have a few machines close together which I'd like to get wi-fi'd up, and was thinking that the best way would be to have an access point with the machines connected to it by ethernet cable.

Now, a decent access point (forgive and correct me if I'm using the wrong terminology here) seems to cost about £100. I do have a couple of old Sky routers kicking around from previous broadband connections. Any way to flash the firmware or something and use them for this purpose?

I suspect probably not, but if anyone can help, it's you guys

Cheers

csmager · 15 May 2009 at 13:26

Just disable DHCP - they'll work as access points.

Though what you seem to be describing is a wireless bridge (i.e. ethernet-> wi-fi -> ethernet). Not sure if they'll have that option, but some routers do. Use one as an access point, and the other as a bridge.

StixxUK · 15 May 2009 at 13:34

Maybe I should describe a bit better.

One router, connected to the internet downstairs.

Another router upstairs, linked to the first by Wifi, with computers (and Xbox) connected to it.

csmager · 15 May 2009 at 13:44

Ok - the second one upstairs is a 'Wireless Bridge'. You'll have to look at the router config pages to see if this can be enabled.