AP -> Switch Not Working

[JWatts1980]

EQ:
DLink Router, DGL-4300 Wireless G, "Air Extreme", 108 Mbps, Firmware: v1.7
DLink AP, DWL-2100AP Wireless G, "Air Extreme", 108 Mbps, Firmware: v2.10

Configuration is shown in the attached file. It gives the other EQ info as well. Also noteworthy, the AP is in client mode.

The problem is that the Iomega drive connected to the switch from the AP is not connecting to the network. The PC works great. Super fast connection with the "Air Extreme" technology.

Some things I've read suggests that only the first device will get an IP??? Is there a way around that? A different mode maybe?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[JWatts1980]

It's been a few days, and no bites yet, so I just wanted to say that this is still a problem I have not been able to solve yet...

Thanks for any help!

[cszeto]

Chances are, the PC that is locally connected to the NAS via the Linksys switch is working fine. Servers may not work well over wireless link configurations/combinations.

[JWatts1980]

I'm not sure you worded that correctly, cszeto. The PC is not connected to the NAS directly. Since this original posting, I powered everything down, and connected the NAS directly to the AP. It popped up on the network immeadiately. My computer has a scheduled backup to the NAS every night, and it has been running successfully. However, this is not ideal at all. I want a number of other devices in this other location to connect to the internet/network.

On further testing, whether the PC or the NAS connects, depends on which one I connect to the switch first. So the first one connected gets the network IP.

Some general discussions I found online seemed to indicate that some AP's will only "pass one MAC address when in client mode". According to the same discussions, even that seems to be dependent on the firmware version.

I don't know anything about AP's, and I not sure what "pass one MAC address when in client mode" really means. This is the first one I've ever worked with.

I just assumed that the AP would be a "wireless wire" to connect these two different physical locations together. So I'd just be able to hook into a switch and start connecting devices however.

But I'm reading things that are like "AP's are only meant to connect one device to a network...." etc. Is that really right? It seems to me to be an over-powered piece of EQ to only connect one device.

If it is truly an issue that it will only "pass one MAC", then that could be solved by connecting a NAT router to the AP, and connect the NAS and PC to the router. But then we're talking about 2 NAT routers on one network. I found an article (http://www.planetkris.com/archives/wp-116) that gives a very good discussion on setting up two NAT routers on a network.

But I want to know for sure, before doing that, how come the AP will only connect the first device it sees? Why can't I just hook it to a switch, and connect devices however I want? Is there some special setting I need to set in the AP?

[cszeto]

"the PC that is locally connected to the NAS via the Linksys switch is working fine" is based on your diagram.

The issue is that you may be using the DWL-2100AP in a way that is "less than supported" by the manufacturer. Your best bet is to contact D-Link for assistance with the configuration.

Experience with different "servers across wireless" configurations, shows that it is problematic at best.

[JWatts1980]

Ok.. I think I see what you meant. I thought you were saying that the PC was directly connected to the NAS. I think I got you now.

I don't know if is matters, but the NAS I've been referring to, is a 335 GB single hardrive in an enclosure with a 10/100/1000 NIC on it. Its got a basic web interface to use for configuration.

We're not really using it as "hard-core" server, it is serving as a backup drive for two PC's. The building this is housed in is not physically attached to the main office. In fact, its about 150 feet away, across a city street. The thought is that, not only do we have a backup, it is also not in the same location. So in case of theft, or an accident such as a fire, we can maintain a backup. Because of the street we do not have the ability to hardwire a line over.

The DLink "super g" stuff works fantastic. Even at the distance, we maintain a minimum of a 20Mbps connection, and it goes up from there. And by 20Mbps, I mean actual realtime file transferring speed. As I mentioned, at this time, the NAS is connected to the AP directly, and it is working fine. I can access it and ping it from my pc, and my scheduled backups have been occuring as normal since I hooked it up direct.

But this is not the configuration we want. We have other PCs that we want on the network in the other building. We are also looking into purchasing a directional antenna to further boost the signal to the other building.


All that said, I will take your advice and see what it will take to contact D-Link support.

Thank you!

[cszeto]

If you are comfortable running your business with the current wireless arrangement, then why not purchase a second wireless unit exclusively for the NAS (which is basically a server BTW)?