Wireless AP usage

[Funlovingeek]

Ok follow me, I am wondering if this setup I am going to try will work. I currently have a wireless router (with built in switch) this is in my shop (basement) I have it connected to my dsl modem and I have between 6 and 10 machines wired to it, via various hubs, etc..and uplink ports. All that is fine and dandy no problems. I also have a few machines upstairs in the main part of the house that make up another small network but they are not connected to the main network below. Instead of replacing all the working NICs in my upstairs network, can I just add an AP upstairs and wire it via RJ45 into the upstairs hub and then have all the machines upstairs then able to share the internet connection as well? In fact could you not just put a single machine via NIC wired into the AP and have it see the entire network?

Thanks in advance for any info.

[Greenstead]

I'm not sure I fully understand what you are proposing.

You have a wireless router/switch and DSL modem in the basement with a bunch of PCs wired to the router.

You have some PCs upstairs hubbed together.

I may be missing something - you don't mention any wireless PCs.

By AP - you mean a wireless Access Point ?


I think you hope an AP upstairs might communicate wireless to the router in the basement. Fraid not unless the router is not being used by any wireless PCs AND has the ability to be a wireless bridge (unlikely but there are some that can).

There are two ways I can think of to join the two groups of PCs and share the DSL connection.
1. The obvious - a wired link from the router's switch to a hub (switch is better) upstairs.
2. A wireless bridge. There are some new wireless devices that can be set in bridge mode to do the very thing you want to do.
An example is the Linksys WET11. I am not sure if this might communicate with your router - it is quite new.
This diagram indicates it might do what you want:
http://www.linksys.com/products/display.asp?conmap=089wet11cmdiagram.jpg&prid=432&grid=22
Worth calling Linksys and asking them.

See the WET11 here:
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=432
Downside...cost ~$100 each last time I looked.

Bear in mind that a wireless bridge may be a bottleneck when both networks are talking to each other over a half duplex 11Mb link (more like 4Mb in real throput).

I would go for a 100Mb wired link unless that is impossible.

[Funlovingeek]

I guess I am just gonna bite the bullet and run some CAT5 upstairs.. it can be done, it's just such a huge pain.

Oh well, thanks for the input.

J.

[Greenstead]

Good decision long term I think.

Good Luck.

[Funlovingeek]

ya, I know it is.. but I have just spent some much time re-wiring the basement shop with cat5 and regular electrical outlets I was trying to avoid having to do anymore.. but I guess in the long run it will make me happy it's just this damn short term that bothers me :-)

[unixfan]

You can run the WAP11 in AP client mode, hook a hub into the ethernet interface of the AP and the AP will connecto the the wireless router, thats how you can connect the 2 segments.