I'm a relative network veteran, but am new to the world of wireless networking. I'm hoping that some of you might have some idea as to the best way to accomplish what I'd like to do.
I've currently got a simple network upstairs in my two-storey home which consists of a broadband internet connection, which passes through an OpenBSD firewall to an 8-port switch. All my systems are connected through the switch, with my OpenBSD box handling DHCP/NAT/Filtering/Forwarding.
The primary thing I would like to do is get my XBox, Home Theater PC, and Internet Appliances downstairs on the network. I'd like to do this through the existing ethernet ports on the devices, as an external wireless card is not an option for some of them. Of course, the challenge is that I don't want to have to run any network cable upstairs.
If possible, it would be great if I can support Wifi devices connecting to the network directly as well (instead of just a point-to-point wireless link). I'd also like to do all this as inexpensively as I can.
I've read that some, but not all, broadband routers can act as wireless bridges in this manner. Any idea which ones are best suited to this type of setup? (As above, it would be great if they can act as a bridge and access point simultaneously...)
I've researched using a Linksys WAP11 for downstairs along with a regular wireless router upstairs and I think that will work (As far as I understand, the router upstairs can accept connections from Wifi devices, and the WAP11 can basically act as a "client" to the router). One problem is that the WAP11 would require an additional hub/switch to connect my 3/4 devices, while I'd like to have it all self-contained if possible. That's why I think I'd prefer to use an actual router in both places unless it's more cost effective to use a WAP11 and hub/switch.
It just occured to me that if I get a router upstairs with enough ports, I can use my existing 8-port switch with the WAP11 downstairs.
Anyway, please post any thoughts/comments/product recommendations. Thanks!
I've currently got a simple network upstairs in my two-storey home which consists of a broadband internet connection, which passes through an OpenBSD firewall to an 8-port switch. All my systems are connected through the switch, with my OpenBSD box handling DHCP/NAT/Filtering/Forwarding.
The primary thing I would like to do is get my XBox, Home Theater PC, and Internet Appliances downstairs on the network. I'd like to do this through the existing ethernet ports on the devices, as an external wireless card is not an option for some of them. Of course, the challenge is that I don't want to have to run any network cable upstairs.
If possible, it would be great if I can support Wifi devices connecting to the network directly as well (instead of just a point-to-point wireless link). I'd also like to do all this as inexpensively as I can.
I've read that some, but not all, broadband routers can act as wireless bridges in this manner. Any idea which ones are best suited to this type of setup? (As above, it would be great if they can act as a bridge and access point simultaneously...)
I've researched using a Linksys WAP11 for downstairs along with a regular wireless router upstairs and I think that will work (As far as I understand, the router upstairs can accept connections from Wifi devices, and the WAP11 can basically act as a "client" to the router). One problem is that the WAP11 would require an additional hub/switch to connect my 3/4 devices, while I'd like to have it all self-contained if possible. That's why I think I'd prefer to use an actual router in both places unless it's more cost effective to use a WAP11 and hub/switch.
It just occured to me that if I get a router upstairs with enough ports, I can use my existing 8-port switch with the WAP11 downstairs.
Anyway, please post any thoughts/comments/product recommendations. Thanks!
