Greetings,
I got no response in the general forum so I thought I had better ask here...
Can you use the uplink port in a Linksys wireless router just to take advantage of the box as a wireless access point? I've already got a hardwired router and just want to extend the "reach" of the network to my upper floor using wireless.
Since the DSL Router/Wireless Linksys box is just $8 more than a plain WAP, I thought it would make sense to take that route so I could use it in future installations as a router, too.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Use Wireless Router as Wireless Access Point
Use Wireless Router as Wireless Access Point
reader
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Yes, this should work. Use the uplink port on the existing router into the WAN port on the Linky. Disable dhcp on the wireless assuming existing router is already performing this function. Set static address or obtain one from existing router. Set the gateway as the address of the existing router.
The uplink on the Linky is if you would want to extend yet again to a third device.
The uplink on the Linky is if you would want to extend yet again to a third device.
JD 
"Knowledge is power if you have the manual".
"Knowledge is power if you have the manual".
Just in case you're checking out this thread...
Linksys advises the following:
Run a straight-thru cable from a LAN port on Router #1 to the uplink port on the switch.
Hang all the computers off the switch, including the print server, using the LAN ports on the switch. (This WORKS!)
Connect one of the LAN ports on the switch to the UPLINK port on the second router. Disable DHCP. Set the router to "router mode." (I haven't tried this yet!)
Technoid had it as using the uplink port on the downstream device into the WAN on the upstream device (where you originate your cable/dsl connection downstream and branch out UPstream.) This won't work. It's got to be a LAN port going upstream to an UPLINK port. If it worked on the switch, I suspect it will work on another router/switch.
But as technoid correctly stated, you've got to DISABLE DHCP. The main (wired) router remains 192.168.1.1 and the new, wireless router gets the default address of 192.168.0.1 The gateway is the former, (wired) router.
I suspect devices making connections through the wireless will now be assigned addresses via the main router at the DSL Modem. I'll post again when I've got it working.
All of this thread is about taking advantage of falling prices for wireless and extending an existing wired network into areas of the house where wiring is going to be a pain. The second Router/Switch/Wireless Access Point is essentially being used as a Wireless Access Point only...or that's the aim! (That way, if I move or have another use for the wireless equipment, it can function as a standalone device without a wired network -- I mean, it was 7 bucks more, folks!)
Linksys advises the following:
Run a straight-thru cable from a LAN port on Router #1 to the uplink port on the switch.
Hang all the computers off the switch, including the print server, using the LAN ports on the switch. (This WORKS!)
Connect one of the LAN ports on the switch to the UPLINK port on the second router. Disable DHCP. Set the router to "router mode." (I haven't tried this yet!)
Technoid had it as using the uplink port on the downstream device into the WAN on the upstream device (where you originate your cable/dsl connection downstream and branch out UPstream.) This won't work. It's got to be a LAN port going upstream to an UPLINK port. If it worked on the switch, I suspect it will work on another router/switch.
But as technoid correctly stated, you've got to DISABLE DHCP. The main (wired) router remains 192.168.1.1 and the new, wireless router gets the default address of 192.168.0.1 The gateway is the former, (wired) router.
I suspect devices making connections through the wireless will now be assigned addresses via the main router at the DSL Modem. I'll post again when I've got it working.
All of this thread is about taking advantage of falling prices for wireless and extending an existing wired network into areas of the house where wiring is going to be a pain. The second Router/Switch/Wireless Access Point is essentially being used as a Wireless Access Point only...or that's the aim! (That way, if I move or have another use for the wireless equipment, it can function as a standalone device without a wired network -- I mean, it was 7 bucks more, folks!)
reader
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Greetings,
I'm posting this as a courtesy to finish out the story. I got the wireless addition to the network installed and working using a wireless DSL router instead of a plain Wireless Access Point.
Yes, you can use the wireless router/switch to add range to your already-installed wired network by using two routers in the same infrastructure.
No, the actual way you do it does not agree with some of the help files on the Linksys site or advice posted here earlier.
The point of all of this was to add a wireless access point to an existing home network. Because that network was already three computers and one printserver hooked to a Linksys BEFSR41 "wired" router, it did present a challenge.
Here's the hardware used -
-Main Gateway/Router - BEFSR41 (connected to DSL Modem
-8 port switch - Linksys 8 port switch XS88etc
-Wireless Router - Linksys BEFW11S4
-Wireless NIC's - Linksys WUSB11 USB net adapter and Apple "Airport" internal card.
-----
MAIN PROBLEM IN SETUP
Both the BEFSR41 and BEFW11S4 use the same default address of 192.168.1.1 for the devices. While you could change either, it is preferable to change the one NOT being used as the "gateway." That way, you don't have to change the gateway addresses on the other computers connected to the system.
Linksys "help" files suggest giving the second router the address of 192.168.0.1 and while that might work, it didn't on my system. Tech support at Linksys said make it 192.168.1.2 and that DID work.
But tech support also said to just hook a single computer up to the router's uplink port to do change the address. I couldn't do it. Maybe it takes a turnaround network cable, I don't know. I did manage to keep rebooting and enter 192.168.1.1 in the browser address line and bring up the Wireless router. When the login comes up, it clearly states whether you've connected to the BEFSR41 or the wireless, and the 'Setup' page will reflect that, too.
First, after logging into the setup page on the wireless router, click on the DHCP tab and DISABLE DHCP. Click on "Continue" and go back to the main setup page. On the main setup page you simply change the THIS DEVICE address to 192.168.1.2
When you try to click on "Continue" here you probably won't get a response, because the address is apparently no longer valid. Close the browser, reopen and try to load the 192.168.1.2 page. It should be the wireless router! (or second router.)
That's all. No going into advanced setup and putting the added wireless device into so-called "Router Mode" (as detailed in Linksys help files but disregarded by telephone support.)
---------
Wiring the Network
1. From the main BEFSR41 router, a LAN port is connected to the EZXS88W switch's UPLINK port.
2. From LAN ports 2+ the wired computers, printserver (HP500X) etc. are connected.
3. From another LAN port on the EZXS88W switch, we plugged in a cable running to the upstairs of the house to the UPLINK port of the BEFW11S4 Wireless Router.
Bottom Line: it worked! The range of the Linksys is quite a bit better than expected, but doesn't cover the whole house, (read: my office in the basement which is on the other side of numerous heating/air conditioning ducts.) But it is much better than expected.
-----------
ADDENDUMS
1. I have the opportunity to test the difference between the internal Wireless NICs and the USB Wireless NICs. The USB versions are quite a bit better at getting a good signal. Moving the USB connected device to higher locations provided 25% higher signal strength (to 100%) while you have to change your seating arrangement or computer position to improve the signal coming into a laptop with the internal wireless PCCard.
2. One of the computers I have to connect is an Apple IMac laptop using OS X (10) and already configured for a MAC "Airport" network. It was simple. On the "Airport" tab of the "Networking" folder, you simply change the choice from "Airport" to "linksys" and it works.
There, I'm done. Whew!
I'm posting this as a courtesy to finish out the story. I got the wireless addition to the network installed and working using a wireless DSL router instead of a plain Wireless Access Point.
Yes, you can use the wireless router/switch to add range to your already-installed wired network by using two routers in the same infrastructure.
No, the actual way you do it does not agree with some of the help files on the Linksys site or advice posted here earlier.
The point of all of this was to add a wireless access point to an existing home network. Because that network was already three computers and one printserver hooked to a Linksys BEFSR41 "wired" router, it did present a challenge.
Here's the hardware used -
-Main Gateway/Router - BEFSR41 (connected to DSL Modem
-8 port switch - Linksys 8 port switch XS88etc
-Wireless Router - Linksys BEFW11S4
-Wireless NIC's - Linksys WUSB11 USB net adapter and Apple "Airport" internal card.
-----
MAIN PROBLEM IN SETUP
Both the BEFSR41 and BEFW11S4 use the same default address of 192.168.1.1 for the devices. While you could change either, it is preferable to change the one NOT being used as the "gateway." That way, you don't have to change the gateway addresses on the other computers connected to the system.
Linksys "help" files suggest giving the second router the address of 192.168.0.1 and while that might work, it didn't on my system. Tech support at Linksys said make it 192.168.1.2 and that DID work.
But tech support also said to just hook a single computer up to the router's uplink port to do change the address. I couldn't do it. Maybe it takes a turnaround network cable, I don't know. I did manage to keep rebooting and enter 192.168.1.1 in the browser address line and bring up the Wireless router. When the login comes up, it clearly states whether you've connected to the BEFSR41 or the wireless, and the 'Setup' page will reflect that, too.
First, after logging into the setup page on the wireless router, click on the DHCP tab and DISABLE DHCP. Click on "Continue" and go back to the main setup page. On the main setup page you simply change the THIS DEVICE address to 192.168.1.2
When you try to click on "Continue" here you probably won't get a response, because the address is apparently no longer valid. Close the browser, reopen and try to load the 192.168.1.2 page. It should be the wireless router! (or second router.)
That's all. No going into advanced setup and putting the added wireless device into so-called "Router Mode" (as detailed in Linksys help files but disregarded by telephone support.)
---------
Wiring the Network
1. From the main BEFSR41 router, a LAN port is connected to the EZXS88W switch's UPLINK port.
2. From LAN ports 2+ the wired computers, printserver (HP500X) etc. are connected.
3. From another LAN port on the EZXS88W switch, we plugged in a cable running to the upstairs of the house to the UPLINK port of the BEFW11S4 Wireless Router.
Bottom Line: it worked! The range of the Linksys is quite a bit better than expected, but doesn't cover the whole house, (read: my office in the basement which is on the other side of numerous heating/air conditioning ducts.) But it is much better than expected.
-----------
ADDENDUMS
1. I have the opportunity to test the difference between the internal Wireless NICs and the USB Wireless NICs. The USB versions are quite a bit better at getting a good signal. Moving the USB connected device to higher locations provided 25% higher signal strength (to 100%) while you have to change your seating arrangement or computer position to improve the signal coming into a laptop with the internal wireless PCCard.
2. One of the computers I have to connect is an Apple IMac laptop using OS X (10) and already configured for a MAC "Airport" network. It was simple. On the "Airport" tab of the "Networking" folder, you simply change the choice from "Airport" to "linksys" and it works.
There, I'm done. Whew!