Linksys wireless problems...

[Franz316]

Today I went out and bought some wireless networking hardware to replace my phoneline network. The pieces I bough were the Access Point and 2 usb adapters. Everything was going just fine up until I tried the internet on the upstairs computer. The downstairs computer has the Router right next to it, and it recieves the internet fine. The upstairs computer is reporting back with a signal of 100%. I can browse each computers hard drive from both points. I don't see why the internet isn't being sent upstairs though. I followed all the directions and still there is no internet. Maybe I need to move the router somewhere else, what else could be wrong.

By the way do I even need the router since all I am doing is linking 2 computers? Shouldn't the usb adaptors work fine for just sharing the internet and sharing files. Maybe I can return the router.

Thanks

 

[stash]

Make sure the adapter upstairs has the correct SSID set. You might want to check that it is on the correct channel, but I'm betting you left it on 6

Also if you are using wep (which you didnt mention) make sure the key is correct.

Edit: I just read the part about browsing, but no internet...Check that the default gateway on the upstairs computer is set to the IP of the router, and that you have your ISPs (or your own, if you are running one) dns servers inputted...disregard the above "advice"

 

[rw120555]

If you don't have the router, one of the pcs will need to act as an always-on internet server -- if it is off or has problems, the other machine has no internet access. The router will also provide some added security for you. I would keep the router myself.

But, could the pc next to the router be connected via ethernet cable? If so, you could return one of your usb adapters.

What OS's do you have?

 

[Franz316]

Thanks for the help guys

If it helps more, the downstairs computer is on XP Pro and the Upstairs is 98SE.
How exactly do I get the IP address for the Router, won't it just give me the IP address to the downstairs adapter. shouldn't the setup have caught that, it worked on the XP system so I don't know why it wouldn't on the 98 one.

RW: I set it up by running the cable modem to the router by a eithernet cable. Then each computer has its own reciever. I haven't tested this yet but both computers should have internet even with one computer off, right?

 

[rw120555]

How exactly do I get the IP address for the Router, won't it just give me the IP address to the downstairs adapter. shouldn't the setup have caught that, it worked on the XP system so I don't know why it wouldn't on the 98 one.

Make sure the 98 machine is configured to get the IP address automatically and doesn't have a default gateway set. That might screw you up -- you might have, say, specified fixed values back when you had Homepna, and you haven't changed them now that you have a router. I know I specified fixed values in my homepna network before I got a router.

RW: I set it up by running the cable modem to the router by a eithernet cable. Then each computer has its own reciever. I haven't tested this yet but both computers should have internet even with one computer off, right?

Correct, and that is one of the reasons you want to keep the router, so neither machine relies on the other for internet. But in addition, I'm saying that (assuming your router has a few extra ports) you probably don't need a receiver for the machine by the router. Get an ethernet nic for that machine if it doesn't have one already, and then connect it via ethernet cable to your router. The two machines should be able to communicate fine.

 

[Franz316]

Ok I made sure everything was right on the 98 computer but still it isn't recieving internet. Under WINS, it should be set to the bottom setting, right? Everything else looked good. I have run out of ideas to make it work. I'm going to try and call Linksys tommorrow and see what they can do...

 

[rw120555]

Before conceding defeat, you might try this.

 

[JackMDS]

I do not understand how your system is connected.

You have a Router (Which one?). A WAP and two USB Wireless Clients.

All of the above for two computers?

It seems too much hardware.

System like yours should be connected like this.

Modem ? Router ? Wire to the computer that is close to the Router.

WAP into one of the Router?s ports, and USB Wireless Client up stairs.


BTW: Since you are using a Router, did you disable DHCP on the WAP.

 

[rw120555]

BTW: Since you are using a Router, did you disable DHCP on the WAP.

That reminds me, you probably could get rid of the router without needing an always-on pc -- plug the dsl into the WAP, and have the WAP configured as the dhcp server. I'd rather have the router though, as you could plug other stuff into it and it probably has more features, especially security, than the WAP.

I can't think of any reason why this setup would solve the current problem, but I guess you can always try it.

 

[ktwebb]

AP's are hubs. Unless the device is itself a router with the AP integrated it won't be a DHCP server. Since you say your transferring files then you have an association. Run IPCONFIG /all from a DOS prompt and come back with what it says. If you get something like 192.168.X.X and didn't manually assign IP's then your getting an IP from your router. Seems like you have to be if your transferring files. Unless I am reading it wrong your only trouble is Internet. Try using the IP instead of the FQDN in your browser. Instead of typing www.yahoo.com, use 64.58.76.227. If that works its simply a DNS issue and you can begin to troubleshoot it from that angle, not a wireless issue. There doesn't appear to be a wireless connectivity problem at all. To make sure, once you define what the IP's are of your other nodes, ping them. That will give you a definitive answer about connectivity. The AP should have received an IP as well from the router, which should tell you in a log what IP's have been handed out.

 

[Franz316]

Originally posted by: rw120555
Before conceding defeat, you might try this.

To be honest I had not confidence that this would work, but look whats happens. Now the internet works. Maybe it reset something, as for the router I was referring to to the WAP Access point as the router. I think you guys thought I had another router after the WAP for the internet.

I am happy it works now

 

[rw120555]

AP's are hubs. Unless the device is itself a router with the AP integrated it won't be a DHCP server..

I was thinking my Netgear Me102 could act as a dhcp server, but now that I look at it more carefully it looks like you are right. So Franz, how are your machines getting their IP values? Do you have a combination router/WAP (such as the Netgear MR314) or are you assigning IPs manually?

To be honest I had not confidence that this would work, but look whats happens. Now the internet works. Maybe it reset something, as for the router I was referring to to the WAP Access point as the router. I think you guys thought I had another router after the WAP for the internet.

Great! Try enough things and something is bound to work eventually. There might be some remnant from your old setup that was screwing things up.

But if the router is a combo router/WAP, you definitely don't want to return it; instead you could return one of your client cards. And, if it is a WAP only, you may want to buy a router and return one of your client cards. A WAP only setup won't give you the kind of security features that a router will, e.g. no kind of NAT or firewall protection (at least my Netgear ME102 won't; maybe your gizmo has features that mine doesn't). Others can correct me, but my impression is that it is better to get a router+WAP or router with built-in WAP than it is to get a WAP alone, because the router has better security, can be a dhcp server, and might have other features.

But for now I'm sure you're happy just to have anything working!

 

[ktwebb]

Usually I just bite my tongue. Occasionally I just can't stand it. WAP is a product name from Linksys. Calling an Access Point a Wireless Access Point is like calling a basketball a round circle. It's redundant and a bit dim. Access Points are wireless hubs. Have been since long before the 802.11b invasion into wireless LAN technology. It's understood or at the very least implied. Linksys started calling their AP's WAP11's and I guess it just caught on with the SOHO crowd. Their Access Points (AP's). Technically it is accurate I suppose but the round circle analogy is valid. It's like saying I need a new computer PC, or I need a haircut trim. Scheww. Ok, I feel better. Carry on incorrectly calling them WAP's. I just needed to release some energy.

 

[Franz316]

Update guys now it is just getting wierd..

As I said, the internet started to work upstairs, thats a good thing. Now when I went back to the downstairs it stopped having access. What would cause it to only share with one computer at a time. Do I need to manually set IP addresses here. Both computers have different IP addresses that should work. I just need to know why only one can have access at a time.

For the hardware setup: I theoretically do not deed the WAP in the middle, I can just use the usb adapters like a phoneline network and use the XP network setup to share internet. I would have to put them on the same channel and set it to ad-hoc. That would save me the 150 dollars from the WAP, but would also mean the downstairs(server) would have to be on for the upstairs to have internet. Can someone confirm this?

 

[rw120555]

Are you sure you don't want to go back to that nice HPNA setup you used to have Especially if it was hpna 2.0, I'm not sure what the wireless switch is gaining you, other than aggravation. Wireless is great if you have a laptop, but I think its advantages over hpna otherwise are not currently that great (although wireless does seem to be where the future is headed.)

But anyway -- I've never done this without a router, but I'm guessing that

* Your WAP (oops, I mean AP) has a fixed IP address. Lets say it is 192.168.0.1. (Fill in correct value once you know it.)

* Given that there doesn't seem to be a dhcp server here, your other two pcs should have fixed ips like 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.3

* You should also have a default gateway for these pcs, which is the IP of the WAP (oops, AP), in this example 192.168.0.1

If your setup isn't something like this, then reconfigure accordingly. I suspect there is a configuration error somewhere, even if it isn't this. (I assume the client cards are configured right? Like, they're not trying to connect peer to peer, are they?)

I haven't tried it, but I think you could kill the AP, but if you paid $150 you probably paid too much. I would get a wireless router, such as the Netgear MR314 (which is well under $150) or else a router and a cheaper AP, and return one of the client cards. But, if you can get a 2 client card system to work and you don't mind an always-on pc, yes, I think that is an option. You'll need ICS or something similar I think.

 

[ktwebb]

* Your WAP (oops, I mean AP)

The ironic thing is that this guy has a linksys 802.11b device so in reality that is a WAP, a WAP11 I would guess unless they have changed their product line name. Anyway, as I said, to each his own. People can go on calling a D-Link or Netgear Access Point a WAP in error all they want. It's only on occasion that is gets to me. Usually when I check the board while taking a break from talking noobs and morons through their Lotus Notes problems or dealing with server side issues that are kicking my ass. Then I come here all frustrated, see WAP this and WAP that and blow a fuse or something. lol In my defense I have only mentioned this once or twice and it is very prevelant on these boards. Hell all boards. Its a vast conspiracy to irritate me. Or I am just way too anal about it. One of the other.

 

[rw120555]

The ironic thing is that this guy has a linksys 802.11b device so in reality that is a WAP, a WAP11 I would guess unless they have changed their product line name. Anyway, as I said, to each his own. People can go on calling a D-Link or Netgear Access Point a WAP in error all they want.

With regards to semantics -- couldn't I call an HPNA/Ethernet Bridge, such as the Netgear PE102, an HPNA Access Point? I mean, isn't it performing the same function as a WAP, except it does it for HPNA rather than wireless? And conversely, couldn't I call a WAP an Ethernet/802.11b bridge? Certain conventions may have become adopted, but alternative terms sound just as reasonable to me.

This WAP thing actually sounds more to me like saying you will Xerox something rather than copy it -- Xerox is a brand name and they don't like you using it as a generic term for copying (even though everybody does.)

Anyway, if this sidelight doesn't help Franz solve his problem, I don't know what will

EDIT: Better write to Netgear or alert the Linksys lawyers, because they clearly do use the term "Wireless access point" see Model Me102.

 

[stash]

WAP is a product name from Linksys. Calling an Access Point a Wireless Access Point is like calling a basketball a round circle. It's redundant and a bit dim.

and im sure you call all inline skates not made by Rollerblade inline skates right? Most people just call all inline skates Rollerblades. My point is, why waste time with semantics. As long as people know what you are talking about, theres no problem

 

[ktwebb]

It has become part of the SOHO 802.11b vocabulary and therefore anyone could argue that it is correct and I could not dissuade them based on that. I am speaking from an industry perspective based on doing wireless networks for a living for several years. You could call anything you want an access point that provides access but have you ever heard anything besides a wireless hub called and Access Point? I haven't though that means little because there may be many things that are considered access points outside the wireless environment and I just haven't come across them. The term access point for wireless access devices was probably adopted over time much the way WAP is so I guess there are parallels. Regardless, they are and will always be AP's to me. I still think the round circle analogy applies. I'll say this. I started installing and installing 900 Mhz and 2.4 Ghz AP's from Lucent (Non 802.11b hardware) in late 96 and have only just got out of the wireless LAN and WAN business. That's all I did for 5 years. Lucent, Breezcom, Proxim, Aironet, yada yada yada. I never, and I mean never heard the term WAP until Linksys called thier AP a WAP11. So from 96 to roughly what, a year and half ago, the term did not exist, though Access Point (AP) most definitely did. Just old school I guess. As old school as you can be about a technology that is in it's infancy. Bring on UWB. Screw all this low bandwidth garbage.

 

[Franz316]

Thanks for clearing up the difference between a WAP and a AP, I actually learned quite a bit.. Now back to the bigger problem

The Linksys AP I am using is the 802.11b just to clear that up. The only problem I have now is that both computers cann't browse the internet at the same. Could the cable modem be causing this or is it a software problem. I think I might try Linksys tech support and see what they have to say about it. For both client adapters I am getting IP addresses like 65.32.97.XX for both. In an earlier post someone said they should be 192.168.1.X, would this be causing the problem?

 

[ktwebb]

Without re-reading the whole thread again I'll say this. If you have an broadband modem and their is no router between that and the AP then you will most likely need to be paying for multiple IP's from your provider. If your only paying for one you either need a broadband router or second nic in one of your machines to share the connetion out then introduce the AP into the mix. You are getting a Public IP. Yeah, if you want to share your internet conneciton you would need to have an IP in the private IP ranges. 192.16.X.X 172.X.X or 10.X.X.X

 

[JackMDS]

This is not a Linksys problem.

Since you don't have a Router, you need a Solution for NAT.

Read slowly the following link:

AT - FAQ: The Basic Options to Share Internet Connection (Internet Sharing 101)


Your solution is to buy a Cable/DSL Wireless Router.

 

[ktwebb]

Since he has the AP I'd suggest he just buy a stand alone router. One with switched LAN ports so if he wanted to integrate some wired nodes into the mix later on.

If you do buy a Wi-fi router you can still get one with wired LAN ports and then you can sell your AP.

 

[rw120555]

OK, this is finally making sense. Most of the discussion assumed there was a router but there is no router. So, either get a router (you can trade one of your client cards in for it) or start messing around with ICS. (Unless you can get multiple IPs).

Now, can we please get back to this WAP versus AP stuff?

 

[Franz316]

Ok guys I don't know how to thank you, basicly I am trying to use the cable modem independently on each computer, when it is trying to use the same IP address from the modem for each. I bought the wrong AP, I bought the one that lets you go from wireless to a wired network, it is not a router . The one I should have bought was the BEFW11S4, that model is a Router but is also wireless. Here is a link to it: Here ya go. With that one I can also return a USB adapter because it has ports in the back to go directly into the downstairs computer. I think I got it now...


PS: Will the router act the same way as the AP and let me share files printers etc?