best device to bridge 2 wired networks by wifi

hytek369

Lifer
Mar 20, 2002
11,053
0
76
I am trying to connect 2 wired networks wirelessly.

On one network (in living room), I have a cable modem connected to a wifi router (DGL-4300), a xbox, a PS2, and a computer. All of these are connected by wired ethernet. A couple laptops connect wirelessly to this router as well.

On the other network (in my office), I have a couple desktops, an ethernet printer, and a NAS drive. None of these components have wifi cards/adapters, etc. All are connected by a gigabit switch.

What device do I need to get so that both networks can 'talk' to each other? Basically, I want my NAS on network 1 to talk to my desktops in network 2 without any wires.

Any brands or models recommended? I prefer to go over to 802.11n, unless nothing out in the market is good. I don't mind buying new hardware to support this.

Thanks in advance.
 

marulee

Golden Member
Oct 27, 2006
1,299
1
0
I think you need access point for both networks then they will both server local machines and will able to communicate to other network.
Try DWL-2100AP.
 

Madwand1

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2006
3,309
0
76
There is no best device, and even if you spent a fortune on one right now, it would be obsolete in a few months when 802.11n goes draft 2.0 and beyond and into widespread use. I'm not aware of any draft-n bridges atm, but it's possible that you can find a router which is WDS capable, and then get two of them and bridge them together. You should also check which modes and speeds and encryption are supported during WDS in this case.

I'd probably get a Buffalo WHR-G54S or a Linksys WRT54GL, install DD-WRT on it following the instructions carefully, and run it in client bridge mode. It would connect wirelessly to the DGL-4300 using WPA security, and share that network connection with its LAN ports. You'd connect your switch there, disable the local static IPs, and then have a single network with two parts connected by a wireless bridge.

You can find several consumer devices which will do client bridge mode out of the box. These will however be less flexible than the DD-WRT solution, and you'll need to check the details to ensure that they'll do what I think you want -- wireless client mode bridging with WPA encryption supporting multple wired clients via a switch.

D-Link and SMC (probably among others) have consumer devices which provide client mode bridging using Atheros Super G -- same as on the D-Link router. Super G is not always so super, but I understand how that might be attractive.

E.g SMCWEBT-G. D-Link DWL-2100AP, among others.

Again, you should check the details, ideally with the vendors. The DD-WRT solution will certainly work (beyond setup risk), but without Super G.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
How far apart is your office from your WIFI router in the living room?

Look up wireless ethernet converters such as this one for $41.50 shipped. How these work is that they are a "client" to your WIFI router just like the notebooks. Once they are set up as a client, then anything plugged into them (built in 4 port hub) will think they are connected directly to the router.
 

hytek369

Lifer
Mar 20, 2002
11,053
0
76
Originally posted by: Madwand1
There is no best device, and even if you spent a fortune on one right now, it would be obsolete in a few months when 802.11n goes draft 2.0 and beyond and into widespread use. I'm not aware of any draft-n bridges atm, but it's possible that you can find a router which is WDS capable, and then get two of them and bridge them together. You should also check which modes and speeds and encryption are supported during WDS in this case.

I'd probably get a Buffalo WHR-G54S or a Linksys WRT54GL, install DD-WRT on it following the instructions carefully, and run it in client bridge mode. It would connect wirelessly to the DGL-4300 using WPA security, and share that network connection with its LAN ports. You'd connect your switch there, disable the local static IPs, and then have a single network with two parts connected by a wireless bridge.

You can find several consumer devices which will do client bridge mode out of the box. These will however be less flexible than the DD-WRT solution, and you'll need to check the details to ensure that they'll do what I think you want -- wireless client mode bridging with WPA encryption supporting multple wired clients via a switch.

D-Link and SMC (probably among others) have consumer devices which provide client mode bridging using Atheros Super G -- same as on the D-Link router. Super G is not always so super, but I understand how that might be attractive.

E.g SMCWEBT-G. D-Link DWL-2100AP, among others.

Again, you should check the details, ideally with the vendors. The DD-WRT solution will certainly work (beyond setup risk), but without Super G.

I like this solution. Thanks. Let me know if someone knows something better. I just wished there were more manufacturers that make what I need.
 

hytek369

Lifer
Mar 20, 2002
11,053
0
76
Originally posted by: Zap
How far apart is your office from your WIFI router in the living room?

Look up wireless ethernet converters such as this one for $41.50 shipped. How these work is that they are a "client" to your WIFI router just like the notebooks. Once they are set up as a client, then anything plugged into them (built in 4 port hub) will think they are connected directly to the router.

Thanks, I have been looking for this type of device. This would be the cheapest solution for the interim (until I move or more draft n devices comes out). Can I hook up my gigabit switch into that? That way, I can have a gigabit network within the network in my office and wifi from living to office.

My living room and office are about 100 feet apart. I used to use a 100ft cable to connect the 2 networks. My fiance will not allow it now :(
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
100' is okay depending on how many walls (and other things) the signal has to travel through. Possibility that higher gain antennas are needed. The Ethernet Adaptor has a 4 port 10/100 switch built in. Just like any switch, you can daisy-chain off it. Now, being that they're on the same network you have to make sure you aren't running a second DHCP server in your office and if using static IP addresses make sure none overlap. Just usual stuff like that.
 

hytek369

Lifer
Mar 20, 2002
11,053
0
76
Originally posted by: Zap
100' is okay depending on how many walls (and other things) the signal has to travel through. Possibility that higher gain antennas are needed. The Ethernet Adaptor has a 4 port 10/100 switch built in. Just like any switch, you can daisy-chain off it. Now, being that they're on the same network you have to make sure you aren't running a second DHCP server in your office and if using static IP addresses make sure none overlap. Just usual stuff like that.

Thanks, I totally forgot about the static IP part.