Eccles
12-06-2002, 11:12 PM
I have a single NetGear ME102 WAP on my LAN, serving one remote iMac and two laptops. I would like to add wired network connectivity to my lounge room entertainment system for use by my TiVo and an impending mp3 player, but I don't wish to run cable to that room, so I'm looking at wireless bridging options.
I have looked at the Linksys WET11 and Dlink DWL-810, which both appear to provide the sort of capability that I'm looking for, with a minimum of fuss.(*) However, I am also considering the possibility of using a second ME102 set to Access Point Client mode, which would provide the same end result. In fact, I'm leaning towards this option for the following reasons:
[list=1]
The ME102 could be redeployed as a second WAP - or even reconfigured to genuine bridge mode - if my topology needs change down the track,
The ME102 can be bought as cheaply as, if not cheaper than, the WET11 or DWL-810,
I already have the ME102 configuration client on my workstation, so that's one less piece of software I'd need to install, and
Apart from the Apple Airport in the iMac, all my other networking gear is NetGear, and I happen to like their equipment and would just as soon stick with them if all else is equal.
[/list=1]
So I guess I'm looking for comments before I lay down my hard-earned cash. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with this sort of topology? Any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid?
(*) Correct me if I'm wrong, but the WET11 and DWL-810 aren't genuine "bridges." A true wireless bridge setup only connects disparate networks together point-to-point or point-to-multipoint, and does not service wireless clients as well. Rather, these machines are actually wireless clients with an RJ11 connection - another triumph of marketing-speak over technical correctness.
I have looked at the Linksys WET11 and Dlink DWL-810, which both appear to provide the sort of capability that I'm looking for, with a minimum of fuss.(*) However, I am also considering the possibility of using a second ME102 set to Access Point Client mode, which would provide the same end result. In fact, I'm leaning towards this option for the following reasons:
[list=1]
The ME102 could be redeployed as a second WAP - or even reconfigured to genuine bridge mode - if my topology needs change down the track,
The ME102 can be bought as cheaply as, if not cheaper than, the WET11 or DWL-810,
I already have the ME102 configuration client on my workstation, so that's one less piece of software I'd need to install, and
Apart from the Apple Airport in the iMac, all my other networking gear is NetGear, and I happen to like their equipment and would just as soon stick with them if all else is equal.
[/list=1]
So I guess I'm looking for comments before I lay down my hard-earned cash. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with this sort of topology? Any suggestions or pitfalls to avoid?
(*) Correct me if I'm wrong, but the WET11 and DWL-810 aren't genuine "bridges." A true wireless bridge setup only connects disparate networks together point-to-point or point-to-multipoint, and does not service wireless clients as well. Rather, these machines are actually wireless clients with an RJ11 connection - another triumph of marketing-speak over technical correctness.