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Going all wireless

olds

olds

Elite Member
Right now, my satellite receiver and dvd player connect to the network via cables to my router. I know I can use a wireless adapter to hook up the receiver to the wireless network. But I would likely need three of them (adding gaming console) and at $80 each, it would get expensive.
Is there another way to do it?

 
A Wireless Router like the Asus 550 when flashed with DD-WT firmware can act as a Wireless Client Bridge.

If some of the devices are close one to the other you can use one Router as a Bridge and plug the other devices with short cables to its switch.

Asus WL-520GU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16833320023

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/ind...title=DD-WRT_Docu_(EN)


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

P.S. Currently it is only $41, since you were ready with $80 you can buy two of them. 😉
 
Yep, a wireless router running DDWRT in Client Bridge mode would give you 4 wired ports at a wireless location. That's what I'd do.
 
Thanks for the info, this sounds like the way to go.

EDIT;
Just thought of another question.
My present router is an SMC 7004VWBR which is 802.11b. I was wondering about outdated equipment and speeds.
Should I buy two new g routers?
Just buy one for a bridge?
Use the SMC (if capable) as the bridge and buy a g router for the signal?

Thanks again.
 
I've just started venturing into the client bridge arena and have noticed quite a few times that people recommend matching routers. Or at least two linux based routers. Makes sense?
 
I'm using a NetGear RangeMAX as my access point and a WRT54G with DDWRT as my client bridge. No problems at all.
 
Originally posted by: alevasseur14
I've just started venturing into the client bridge arena and have noticed quite a few times that people recommend matching routers. Or at least two linux based routers. Makes sense?
Click to expand...

Not really -- randomly pick two of the same routers, and it probably won't work. Take any standard wireless router, and a DD-WRT capable router in client bridge mode, and it'll probably work.

The exception is if you're doing some sort of proprietary bridging or WDS -- then it can be helpful to have two of the same devices, which the vendor will probably mention in the compatibility specs.

Edit: I recommend going one step further -- going wireless-less where possible.
 
In most cases any Router that can be configured as Client Bridge would work with any Standard source in standard 802.11b/g.

It is different in None standard mode, or (as mentioned above) WDS, then matching might be an issue.
 
OK, I am getting a router to use as a bridge.
JackMDS mentions the Asus 550 and links to the ASUS WL-520gU.

Just to be sure, either will work? Or should I get one over the other?
TIA
 
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
OK, I am getting a router to use as a bridge.
JackMDS mentions the Asus 550 and links to the ASUS WL-520gU.

Just to be sure, either will work? Or should I get one over the other?
Click to expand...

Jack likes the ZyXEL X-550, which might be why he typed 550 in this case. However, that's a very different product, which is good as a router, but not as a bridge.

The general answer to "can I use this router as a bridge" can be found by looking at DD-WRT's supported hardware list.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/ind...Supported_Devices#Asus

There actually is a supported Asus 550 model, which should work. The WL-520gU is more commonly recommended. Note in addition that there are a few different flavors of the 520, and the gU is recommended in part because it has more flash RAM than some of the others.

The RAM / flash RAM amounts are not critical in this case, as bridges have lesser needs than full-blown routers, but it doesn't hurt, and gives you more flexibility down the road -- to use it as a router, and to use some features which are stripped out of the low flash RAM version.

Personally, I'd probably start looking at the current Linksys draft-n routers. But that's another can of worms...
 
Thanks for the help guys. :beer:
I ordered the Asus WL-520GU, it should be here today. The cable gets installed tomorrow. I've downloaded the recovery tool and the .bin for the router as well as printed out the instructions.
I imagine I'll be back looking for help when I get stumped setting it up. :laugh:
 
OK, I have a kink.
I opened the Asus router to set it up and noticed it has a print server. Now i want to use the Asus as the router (for the print server) and get another router for the bridge as my SMC 7004VWBR isn't on the list for DD-WT.
How would the Linksys WRT54G work or should I get something else?
Thanks again.
 
The SMC was a great Router, but now it is an old 802.11b, and no 3rd party firmware.

Giving the price structure the Asus and the WRT54GL are the least expensive New Routers for DD-WRT.

They cost about the same but the Asus Radio is better than the Linksys Radio. I.e., better Wireless.

You might find a Linksys WRT54GL on sale, or used for a little less. YMMV.
 
Using a DDWRT-able router as a client seems rather spendy no? Cuz you can get basic routers that will do the same for 30 bucks. I was using a cheap 2wire to do this way back when, and it was uber stable.
 
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