Accessing Shared Files Over a Wireless Bridge

[plab]

I've got a network setup as follows

DSL Modem <===> Linksys WRT54G <===> PC1
Linksys WRT54GL (Wireless bridge connected to router above) <===> PC2

Basically followed the instructions I got from here (http://forums.anandtech.com/me...R_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear) to setup the bridge. This setup works fine for accessing the Internet via connections to the bridge (i.e. PC2 accesses the Internet just fine).

Here's the problem though. I've ran the Network Wizard on both machines and had them join the same workgroup, but I can't share files between PC1 and PC2. Nothing shows up. Does anybody know offhand what are my first steps to triage the problem?

Thx!
phoebe

 

[VirtualLarry]

Are you using WDS, or something different. I prefer to use WDS when applicable.

Edit: The reason that I say this is, sometimes things like client bridge mode are rather uni-directional, as far as networking multiple PCs together.

 

[kevnich2]

Client mode puts the client side on a different subnet (different network and can't share resources). Client bridge however puts client on the same subnect (same network thus same resources). Check your wireless mode on your wireless client.

 

[plab]

Yes, my router was on client mode so that explains why it wasn't sharing resources. I googled about setting up a router in client bridge mode and found this (http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge). Using that, I can get an Internet connection but still no file sharing. Another downside is I can't just plug any device into the router and get Internet. I take it that's because I've disabled DHCP on it. Bottom-line still no file sharing and Internet only on devices where I can set a static IP. Ugh, I'll fiddle around some more and update when I have more news.

Larry - I don't believe I'm using WDS, just your typical stock WRT54GL w/ DD-WRT flashed onto it. Like I mentioned above, it was set to Client initially and now it's on Client Bridge.

 

[JackMDS]

I am using DD-WRT for bridging and have no problem in Internet or Sharing.

You probably are not configuring the Client Router correctly.

Do not use the WAN jack of the Router, and configure it as indicated in this page.

Use what they call Wireless Bridge.

Do Not use what they call, Client Mode Wireless.

 

[plab]

Yes, I'm pretty sure it's something I'm not configuring correctly on my router.

Originally posted by: JackMDS
...configure it as indicated in this page...[/b]

Did you intended to put a link there?

 

[JackMDS]

It is the same page that you mentioned above.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge

 

[drebo]

Yeah, you want client bridge mode. Netbios names may not traverse the wireless (they should, but netbios sucks, soooo...) so you may need to use the ip address to access your shares.

For instance, use \\192.168.1.5\sharename to access the computer instead of \\computername\sharename.

 

[plab]

I've finally figured this out. First of all, the problem w/ not being to connect to Internet w/o a static ip was due to not having disabled the firewall. Those directions appeared about halfway down the page so I must have missed it. Now I'm able to plug any device into my router and get Internet 🙂

I still had the problem of not being able to share files between machines across the bridge though. To troubleshoot, I disabled wireless networking on my laptop and connected it via ethernet cable directly to the bridge. I was able to share files on the laptop so that told me the problem was with the machine behind the bridge itself not the router. Sure enough, when I checked properties on my Local Area Connection, the following weren't checked: Client for Microsoft Networks, File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, and QoS Packet Scheduler. A couple of checkmarks and a restart later and voila - file sharing.

So long story short, I am now a very happy camper. Question though...underneath my Network Places, I see the Network Location for my fileshares as "The Internet". That's making me a tad nervous as it looks as if I'm sharing my files over the Internet!?

EDIT: One quick google search later and apparently I found out this is a bug that you can get rid of by going to Control Panel -> Internet Options -> Security -> Local Intranet -> Sites -> and unchecking Automatically detect intranet network...weird, but at least it doesn't mean my files are necessarily visible to all on the Internet.