what do i need?

wesley · 10 Dec 2007 at 08:17

hi guys

i'm not sure what network hardware i need for my networking

wireless router (netgear DG834GT) at downstairs

main rig and download box in spare bedroom at upstairs connected to £5 switch with uplink from netgear wireless router via wired (very long cable

)

i need to get rid of the cable, is the access point i need or not? basically what i need is a 'wireless switch' but cant find one lol

thanks

wesley

tres · 10 Dec 2007 at 09:02

search for wireless router
you can pick them up for 25 quid
i have a linksys wireless router (no modem) that does the job

Snapshot · 10 Dec 2007 at 09:13

You do not need another wireless router. In fact, it's possibly the worst thing you could buy - I had to chuck out three from the school I look after as they wouldn't work as access points. An access point is exactly what you need and the Netgear WG602 should match your existing router.

tres · 10 Dec 2007 at 09:21

I've set up 2 wireless routers before.. fair enough only once, but that worked... that's 100% success rate for me!¬

wesley · 10 Dec 2007 at 11:22

thanks for the replies

how many ports does this netgear access point got? is it 100mb or 1000mb?

thanks

Snapshot · 10 Dec 2007 at 11:23

The problem is that not all wireless routers support being used as access points. You were lucky, my school wasn't (nasty Belkin routers, I didn't choose or install them) so it's better to buy the correct device if you're starting from scratch. It's worth trying if you've already got the second router but not otherwise.

Thinking about it, I'm wrong as what the OP really needs is a wireless bridge rather than an access point but most access points will work as bridges. You're also right as a router maywork as a bridge more happily than as an access point but I'd still rather use the correct device.

tolien · 10 Dec 2007 at 18:22

It's a device that'll work as a bridged wireless client you're after (i.e. connects to the DG834G, then bridges that with the LAN ports that connect to the switch).
Not all APs will work as clients either, but I know for a fact the WRT54GL does (and it's as cheap as any AP). The WG602 has a single 10/100Mbps port, the WRT54GL has 4 10/100Mbps ports.

wesley · 10 Dec 2007 at 19:03

thanks tolien, can i use this WRT54GL instead of the switch?

tolien · 10 Dec 2007 at 19:22

Yeah, the WRT would replace the whole thing - all 4 ports would be bridged with the wireless.

wesley · 10 Dec 2007 at 19:49

brilliant, thank you