Help with internet setup using router as an access point

[pete6032]

So we have Comcast cable and Comcast has installed an all-in-one modem/wireless router in our house. Going out of the all in one device I have a wired ethernet connection using power line network going downstairs then into a Linksys e4200 that is set up as an access point. The e4200 is broadcasting its own wifi network (just for me) and has two wired devices (PC, Blu Ray) connected to it. The all in one device is also broadcasting a wifi network which everyone else in the house uses.

My roommate, who is an IT person told me that our internet was slow in the house because of my setup, and that connecting my e4200 to the all-in-one Comcast device was causing the internet to slow down for everyone else. I don't understand what he said but he said there was something about level 3 and level 4 devices and the all-in-one Comcast modem/router wasn't able to detect my e4200 and treat it like an acess point and so everyone's wifi traffic was bouncing back and forth between my e4200 and the all-in-one device. Can someone explain what this means?

Also can someone explain the difference between an access point and a switch?

 

[alkemyst]

You will need to put the e4200 into bridge mode.

http://kb.linksys.com/Linksys/ukp.aspx?pid=80&vw=1&articleid=4194

Here is a good read on hub, switch, router and access point and their differences. It's written for a layman to understand.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hubs-switches-routers-access-points-differ#1TC=windows-7

 

[ch33zw1z]

Set the e4200 up as a WAP to get everything on the same network..

http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

Your IT roommate would do better by helping figure out what exactly he means, because he kinda sounds clueless.

Are you experiencing particular network problems?

When you're running two wireless networks, and they're on the same frequency (2.4 or 5Ghz), then make sure you avoiding channel overlap:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels