Having troubles getting 2 Orinoco AP-2000's to talk

[Confused]

At work we are in the process of testing for installation of wireless networking in a school.

We are using 6 Orinoco AP-2000 Wireless Access Points. each with 2x Orinoco Gold PCMCIA Wireless cards, and each card has it's own external aerial.

There is an existing wired network around most of the school, and the WAPs will for the most part just act as a hub, allowing the wireless to talk to the wired, through the RJ45 on the AP.

One of them, however, will need to talk to the wired network through one of the APs, as there is no cable to the building.

But, we're having problems getting the two APs to talk to each other, and get the "remote" AP (one in non-cabled building) to talk to the other AP and hence the wired network.

If anyone can post suggestions, or would be willing to talk us through setting it up (we should be able to call you if you PM me a phone number) then that will be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance

Confused

 

[JackMDS]

Take a look at this info. It could help to derive a solution.

Access Point Configurations:

Mode 1 - Gateway. All Entry Level Wireless Access Point (WAP) can act as Wireless Hub to connect to Wireless Clients that are installed in computers.

Mode 2 - Bridge. Some WAPs can also be configured as a Bridge. In such a Configuration the WAP can only communicate with another WAP that is configured as a Bridge. This mode is useful to Bridge two LANs that are a part, and it is preferred to connect them wirelessly. Plug one WAP Bridge to a Switch on the first LAN, the other WAP to a Switch on the second LAN, and they are connected.

Mode 3. Client - Few WAPs can also be configured as Clients. In such a configuration they act as a "Fancy" regular Wireless card that usually goes on a computer. Under such configuration The WAP can only communicate with a Gateway configured WAP.

Mode 4 - Repeater. One WAP thus far (D-Link 900AP+) can work as a Repeater. It acts like a client to receive a signal from any 802.11b source (regular Router or AP), and as an AP it broadcasts to regular clients, thus enabling to extend the Wireless range.

Since it has only one Radio it alternate between Client, and AP mode, thus reduces the Speed of the extended segment by 50%.


Let capture.

Mode 1 can only communicate with Mode 3.

Mode 2 can only communicate with Mode 2.

Mode 3 can communicate with Mode 1,

Mode 4 can communicate with Mode 1, and Mode 3.

As far as I know to date, all the WAPs that are part of a Cable/DSL Routers, can only be configured as Gateways (Mode 1).

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To Bridge two Networks, while the Networks them self are CAT5 wired, you need two WAPs in Bridge Mode. The bridged WAPs should be plugged into a switch in each network.

To make Network One locally wireless you need an additional WAP, (or a Wireless Router.)

To Make Network two locally wireless you need an additional WAP, (or a Wireless Router.)

I.e. Two LANs Connected Wirelessly, and have local Wireless Capacity need 4 WAPs (two of them can be AP on a Wireless Cable/DSL Routers).

If the second LAN does not need independent Wireless capacity, just to be connected to the first LAN. Pending working distance, it is enough to use on Network One a WAP (or an AP of Wireless Router), and a WAP in Client mode plugged to Ethernet port in Network two.