Hi all- I currently have a hardwired network via an smc router w/print server. On my network, I have an XP pro desktop (my main system), a Win 98 desktop (daughters), and an XP Home laptop. No problems with network/file sharing (well, most of the time.)
I decide to try a wireless setup with a Netgear 802.11b router. Setup went fine, and I used a usb adapter. Signal great, could see network, file-sharing no problem. Then I remembered the print server. Connected to the print server on the SMC router is an old HP printer for everyone's everyday use. I host a Canon printer on the Pro system for printing pictures only.
I don't want to host the HP printer, because that would mean having to have the Pro system on.
Trying to figure a way out of this, I disconnected the wireless setup and reconnected the ethernet setup w/print sharing. I then linked from a lan port from the SMC to the WAN port of the Netgear router; thereby creating an access point. Was able to access the net, but couldn't see my network- after fooling around with XP's networking wizard, disableing firewalls, etc.
Strange thing- I was able to to send a print job from the laptop that had the usb wireless adapter.
So, the question is- can I link a wireless router to a hardwired router and have the best of all worlds? I've been to a couple of forums, but I get either no responses, or a "can't be done" type of answer. What I'd like to know is, if it can't be done, why? If it can be done, how? I've already returned the Wireless router- I was thinking possibly reversing the connections; i.e, connect cable modem to wireless, hardwire the pro system and 98 system, THEN link the SMC w/pint server to the wireless; but not sure what ports I'd be linking from wireless to ethernet w/print server. Lan port to Wan? I have my heart set on Netgear's 802.11g router that's on sale at Circuit City for something like $49 after rebate. If anyone can tell me if I can connect everything that allows me to access the print server AND access my network, I'd really appreciate it. I don't want to spend upwards of a $100 for a dedicated print server, and I don't want my Pro system to host 2 printers.
Hope I've made myself clear, and thanks in advance!
JackMDS
08-10-2004, 01:42 AM
Leave your original Setup with SMC (the best Wired Router).
Use the Wireless Router as a Switch witj an Access Point attached to the SMC.
Configuration instructions here: Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point] (http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html)
:cool:
BrandonT
08-10-2004, 02:02 AM
Thanks much for your response, Jack. I've saved the link you provided, and will print it out. Hopefully Circuit City hasn't run out of the wireless router I'm interested in. Will let you know if/when I attempt the link-up. Much thanks.
PS: you REALLY think the SMC router is the best wired router? Curious as to why you think so; their tech support is non-existent (had to figure everything out when I got the router about 5 yrs. ago). But do have to admit I have no problems with it, and setup was all of 10 mins. with my original 4 pc network w/Win 98.
JackMDS
08-11-2004, 12:53 AM
Originally posted by BrandonT
their tech support is non-existent (had to figure everything out when I got the router about 5 yrs. ago).LOL. If you find an Entry Level Network Hardware with Good Tech. Support Let Me Know.
I have few Wired Routers, the Old Barricade is the most stable/reliable one, and it has every thing an Entry Level Cable/DSL Router Wired Router (with the latest firmware that was available) can offer even to date.
:cool:
BrandonT
08-11-2004, 02:06 AM
Hello Jack- well, I got the Netgear WGT624 v.2 router (108 Mbps); trying to follow the instructions to the link you gave me, but running into some problems.
My hadwired SMC router's base address is: 192.168.2.1 (logon to setup page is http://192.168.2.1).
Per the instructions of the link you gave me: "change the IP address of the wireless router so that it's in the same subnet as the main Router; give it an IP that doesn't conflict with the main router's base IP address,, or the DHCP server range"
Well, I don't have a "DHCP server range", but I do have an IP range of 192.168.2.2-192.168.2.40, and I used that in the Netgear wireless setup page. I was able to connect wirelessly from my laptop to the internet, browse my network, but not able to connect to any networked computers, except the laptop.
Some info from the SMC router:
INTERNET
WAN IP:(I assume my external IP addy)
Subnet Mask:255.255.255.0
Gateway IP:207.237.207.1
DNS207.172.3.8
Secondary DNS:207.172.3.9
GATEWAY
IP Address: 192.168.2.1
Subnet Mask:255.255.255.0
DHCP Server: Enabled
Firewall: Enabled
Printer Status: Ready
(btw, am I at risk by giving out my external IP address?
I disabled the DHCP on the wireless per the instructions from your link. Inserted the IP address 192.168.2.41 (1 # above the IP range of the SMC router); wasn't given the option to insert complete range per the instructions. And this was a guess anyway, since I don't know my "DHCP server range."
Now I'm at a standstill. When I found I couldn't access my network after linking lan to lan, I directly connected the wireless again to access the setup page, but it won't load. There's an estimated time of 40 mins. @ Netgear's tech support, and besides, they wont give me support unless I'm registered. I have a direct connection to 1 computer right now, because I can't connect either via the SMC or the Netgear. I've power-cyled both my cable modem, and the router's to no avail. I figure I'd post this while I can. Thought I'd give you as much info as possible while I troubleshoot this. Then visit the Netgear site. If I'm at risk for publishing my IP addy, as a moderator, are you able to edit my post? Thanks in advance. Will report back asap...if I'm able, lol.
BrandonT
08-11-2004, 11:23 PM
It wasn't easy, as I couldn't fine a "server range", and quite frankly, I didn't understand alot of the instructions. In any case, this is more or less how I did it: I undid my wired setup, and connected directly to the wireless to access the setup page. Per the instructions, I was supposed to change the router's IP address, which I couldn't find a field for, but I did set a range of IP adddresses, starting with 1 # above the range on the SMC router. The SMC automatically populates a range; Netgear apparently doesn't that I could see, but I was able to manually set a range. Then I did a lan port to lan port connection, but was concerned when I didn't see the internet LED on the Netgear.
I figured I had to clone the mac address of the SMC, but Netgear only gives you 3 choices regarding MAC; default, the computer's MAC, of "use this MAC address"- I *think* I used the default. Anyway, after the lan to lan connection, I went into SMC's setup page, and went through the setup wizard. In SMC's setup page, I just went through the default settings (for quite awhile I couldn't get any kind of connection), I cloned *something's* MAC, and somehow that did the trick, I think. But I'd think the SMC would be cloning the cable modem's MAC- I dunno, I'm no networking genious. Was able to connect to 'net, and browse my network.
Now, the bad news, I forgot to upgrade the firmware when I had a direct connection with the Netgear, so I had to disconnect everything again, and it was a real bit** getting back to Netgear's setup page, had to hard reset the router over and over again (kept asking for the router's address, but it wasn't taking. Finally got to setup, upgraded router's firmware, and the laptop pc card to get 108 Mbs, which I'm now getting. I've not reconnected back to SMC, but if I did it once, I think I can do it again. I spent 6 hrs. to get it to work, all for accessing the print server! If it takes me more than an hr. to reconnect to the SMC, I'll just let my main system host 2 printer's. Getting 108 Mbs wireless is amazing. Now I just need to do a little more research to secure my wireless. Thanks much for your input. I hope this may help someone else attempting to do what I did. I believe SMC's setup wizard made things alot easier. If I attempted to connect the other way around, I think I'd still be trying to establish connection. Thanks again!
PS: update. I was able to link the 2 routers as I wanted, and typing this from my laptop. I still can't fully explain how I did this. Initially, I couldn't log back on to the SMC router, as it was picking up the Netgear's address. After a couple of resets, I was able to access the 'net via SMC, but again had some trouble linking the Netgear; I was shooting in the dark with adding DNS addresses (are they callled addresses?) subnets, ip ranges, etc.
So, last question: did I in effect make the Netgear a switch? Is that the proper term? I have to do some research in protecting my wireless setup. TIA. The only downside to this setup is, if I have to access the Netgear setup page again, I'll have to undo everything, etc, etc. Cheers!
JackMDS
08-13-2004, 02:02 AM
The Wireless Cable/DSL Routers are a combo units, Router + Switch + Access Point.
You just bypassed the Router, and you use the Switch alone,or the switch with the access point in a Wireless Router. :cool:
P.S. Link to: Wireless Security. (http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Security.html)