Login to WAP? and Adding Second WAP

[Van G]

I'm gapping out - want to login to E3200 which is acting as WAP on my LAN. Router is Linksys WRT54GL with Tomato on it (wifi turned off on WRT54GL).

How do I login to the E3200 to upgrade firmware and check settings? Hard wire direct to PC

Also, how do I add a second WAP to get better coverage? Will devices simply jump from AP to AP or do they need there own SSID and login?

Note: Could I simply turn the wifi for the Linksys WRT54GL and have that provide coverage in the basement even though its single band?

PS: Does the guest account on the E3200 still suck or is it usable?

 

[kevnich2]

If you have some $$ available - here's my suggestion: http://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Netwo...ubiquiti+unifi

I'd suggest buying one of these, one should cover about a 3,000 sq ft house if it's placed in the center, and try it out and see how it works for you. If you need another, just install one more and that should get you covered. You won't have to worry about messing with your wireless again and it just works.

 

[Van G]

If I go this route should I use the E3200 as the router or keep the Linksys WRT54GL with Tomoato?

Does the Ubiquiti Networks UniFi AP offer guest access which is separated from LAN?

 

[kevnich2]

If the E3200 is ddwrt compatible, go with it. The one that is ddwrt compatible has 4 times the memory. The unifi does have guest compatibility which restricts what LAN they can use. As far as it being separate from the LAN, that's entirely dependent on your router. It can do vlan tagging to separate it onto a separate vlan.

But for home use, just use the default guest setting, the client's are still on the same subnet but they cannot access any resources or anything other than internet.

 

[Van G]

Tomato by Shibby notes:
Model CPU Flash K24 K26 K26 RT-N Notes
Linksys E3200 R2 16MB No No Yes only experimental RT-N builds!

Just to confirm, if using the E3200 as the router in teh basement, I would turn off its WIFI and just let UniFi AP handle all wireless?

House is only 1900 sqft on 3 floors so we're not talking big spaces. Could situate UniFi AP on the wall, main floor, back wall so I get a good spread into backyard (only 80' deep from there).

 

[kevnich2]

Tomato by Shibby notes:
Model CPU Flash K24 K26 K26 RT-N Notes
Linksys E3200 R2 16MB No No Yes only experimental RT-N builds!

Just to confirm, if using the E3200 as the router in teh basement, I would turn off its WIFI and just let UniFi AP handle all wireless?

House is only 1900 sqft on 3 floors so we're not talking big spaces. Could situate UniFi AP on the wall, main floor, back wall so I get a good spread into backyard (only 80' deep from there).

Correct, your router would just become a router at that point and the unifi handles all wireless for you. Hardest part of installing them is just running the cable and that's really not that difficult. They're fairly eye pleasing and look more like fire systems than anything else. Once you have one installed, it's real easy to add others to the mix so you get max signal no matter where you're at. I actually have two at each side of my house.

 

[ch33zw1z]

if you're going to go with the UniFi's, then just use one of the routers as a router. Preferably the 3200.

I haven't installed a UniFi, but others on the forum have indicated that you need to run Controller Software for 2 or more AP's. Maybe someone else can confirm. So a PC running the software is required.

http://www.ubnt.com/downloads/guides/UniFi/UniFi_AP_QSG.pdf

That's the quick start guide.

 

[kevnich2]

That's partially correct. The software is required for configuration, but that's all that it's required for. If you have a computer running anyway, the controller software doesn't put any additional load on it at all but it is NOT required to run 24/7 for the AP's. For any new AP's, it is required for the configuration of them, if you add a new AP, start the config software, then plug the AP in, adopt it (takes all of 5 seconds), then wait for it to provision and that's it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

That's partially correct. The software is required for configuration, but that's all that it's required for. If you have a computer running anyway, the controller software doesn't put any additional load on it at all but it is NOT required to run 24/7 for the AP's. For any new AP's, it is required for the configuration of them, if you add a new AP, start the config software, then plug the AP in, adopt it (takes all of 5 seconds), then wait for it to provision and that's it.

So you don't need the controller software running 24x7 to manage multiple AP's, correct?

 

[Van G]

How much better is the Unifi radio than the E3200?

 

[kevnich2]

How much better is the Unifi radio than the E3200?

You'd be going from a combo wireless router to a dedicated WAP that is engineered from the ground up strictly for wireless. Show me one person who will say that a wireless router is better at distributing wireless signal than a dedicated AP engineered by RF engineers.

I never using wireless router's for wireless because when mfr's start combining functions, each individual component is usually made worse. Do they work for the masses, sure, but when you start needing more signal in your house for various reasons, you start needing better functionality. Plus, you can also centrally mount a dedicated POE AP by itself that will distribute the signal more evenly than a wireless router that is usually in a corner of the house near whatever outlet you can find.

I have several of these in businesses with up time of over a year and not a single hiccup from them. Literally you forget they're even there because they just work.

 

[Van G]

So should I be looking at a dedicated router as opposed to the E3200 which is a combo device. I also use a cheap unmanaged swith 8 port switch that most devices plug into.

To date I think my transfer limitations are the disks sending out the data, not the network. Going from my Syn DS212j NAS to my PC I get approx 90 MBps and 45-50 the other way.

Thoughts?

 

[JackMDS]

You have already two Wireless Routers. So as a first step do not waste money.

If they run stock firmware, flash bot with DD-WRT (or tomato).

Switch On the Wireless on the 54GL, and set it to ch. 1, set the E3200 to ch .11 give both the same SSID and password (use WPA-AES).

Boost both Wireless transmitting power for about 60mW (DD-Wrt and Tomato provide it).

You can also play a around with the location of the E3200.

There is strong possibly that you will get a good service without spending a cent.

E3200 configured this way - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

As for roaming! You get what you get, none of the Entry Level hardware provide real free Roaming. You want real roaming you will to spend over $500.

Otherwise go with Kevin's suggestions.

 

[Van G]

Thanks JackMDS, will give it a go.

Tomato by Shibby the right choice for the E3200?

Should I switch the E3200 to act as the router given it has newer hardware or does it not really matter for a home LAN? Problem with that would mean having the 54GL with older radio on the main floor as the AP.

Also, can I setup guest access to internet with both of these running some version of tomato?

 

[JackMDS]

For regular use the WRT-54g with DD-WRT is very good as a Router.

I personally use DD-WRT. I know that some people attribute to the "Shibby" Magical powers. For what ever I do DD_WRT works well and I do not see a difference.

P.S. FWIW I donot relate to boxes of plastic with silicone-Copper based electronic in them as vehicles for social status symbol and similar uses, the only think that counts (in may case) is that the Box would to do what I need to do network wise.

 

[Van G]

What dd-wrt are you using with your 54GL?

Do you have guest access setup? Wife keeps on asking me why guests can't use our internet like every other house!

 

[s44]

Tomato by Shibby the right choice for the E3200?

Should I switch the E3200 to act as the router given it has newer hardware or does it not really matter for a home LAN?

Yes and yes. The 54GL may actually limit WAN speeds.

I would actually run the latest E3200 beta from Victek's Tomato build. It's still "beta", but Victek is always a stickler for stability and this one seems to be quite solid.

 

[Van G]

I'm a dummy - have E3000, not E3200.

Will give it a go with the DD-WRT as Jack laid out from DD-WRT.com. Various versions on there for each router. I have:

WRT54GL v1.1
E3000 v 1.0 (assuming v 1.0 becuase 'v' is no where to be found

Suggestions on what to dd-wrt version to use?

 

[JackMDS]

Whatever is the general highest stable release for the Model.

 

[Van G]

Cheers