Problem Connecting 2 Wireless routers in Sync

[DPOverLord]

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Greetings,
I had a couple questions about the setup my room-mate decided to do in our apartment. I live in a 5 Bedroom apartment that is set up ranch style. The farthest distance between 5 bedrooms is about 400 feet.
The problem we have is that we have the wireless router connected at one side of the apartment (farthest corner) due to how the cable modem and the voice IP connections are only placed there. The problem this causes is that we can not get a strong signal at the other end of the apartment. My roommate decided to fix this by buying a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband routher " WRT54G" Our main Router is a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone ports " WRT54G"

SO the setup of the area looks as folllows:

|'''''''''''''''''''''''|''''''''''''''''''''|--------30 F O O T|---L I V I N G RM| -----===================================================|
|Room'''''''''''|''''''''''''''''''''|--------S P A C E - |---------------|ROOM-----|----------|----------------------------------------|
|''A'''''''''''''''''|'''DOOR''''|--------------------|---------------|----------|R O O M -=- POINT B 2 More Rooms then Cable MDM/Router
| P O I N T A ''|'''''''''''''''''''|-------------------|----------------|----------|----------|-----------------------------------------|
|(no signal)|---------|-------------------|----------------|----------|----------\----------------------------------------|

Well I know this drawing is crude but if you follow me @ Point A there is no signal reached from Point B. Then @ the " 30 Foot mark the other router is placed attached by a CAT-5 Wire. I feel that there is a simpler solution to all of this. Since at this point in time we can not file share or anything due to the two routers. Please tell me what you think / suggest

 

[nweaver]

best solution...drag a network cable to the middle of the house, disable DHCP on the second router, setup wireless, give it a lan address that's unique, and plug in LAN port to LAN port.

 

[DPOverLord]

If you disable DHSCP on the second router will it stil extend the signal on it?

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah you basically use it as an Access Point.

Here how, Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point

:sun:

 

[DPOverLord]

I will read that up, from what I have read it seems I need to do the following in summary:
1. Switch Off the DHCP on the Second Router( Non-Main), and set to Off any filters or special settings that are On the second Router. ( do I have that right)
2. Connect the plug from the Main Router Port 1 to "Internet in on Router 2" ( not a port on Router 2
3. Connect any Hardware computer via Cat-5 to Router 2's Internet
4. Set the Subnet lvl to the same as Router 1

I think I got it. What I figure at the moment it works mainly because the Wireless devices are picking up the second router as a different Network all together. Which is why the wireless lap tops are seeing "2 Networks" Which makes it harder to access the Main router if need be from the far end. My goal is to make the lap tops recognize 1 system which will enable file sharing. THanks a lot tell me what you think!

Jonathan

 

[nweaver]

no, don't plug it into the "Internet" port, plug it into a LAN port, so LAN port to LAN port, stick some bubblegum in that internet port so noone is tempted to move it.

setup the same SSID on different channels (1,6, or 11)

 

[DPOverLord]

setup the same SSID on different channels (1,6, or 11)

When I enter the Hardware it has SSID channel on the Modem where you can set it to 1-11.

The Main router is set to SSID channel 1
The Second Router is set to SID channel 6

Should I make them the same channel and PW?

 

[DPOverLord]

Well I got it to work and have a full connection. However I still can not share files over the network.
The problem I have is that I go to:
ENTIRE NETWORK:--> Microsoft Windows Netowork---> Then Network name (xyz)---> "I see the other computer"

When I double click to access it I get the following error msg:
" \\Mita is not accessable. You might not have permission to use this network resource. COntact the administrator of this server to find out if you have access permissions.

The Network Pasth was not found"


I enabled Microsoft File and printer sharing on my Kerio Personal Firewall. So I am not sure what else I am doing wrong. Please tell me what you think.

 

[Talcite]

Might have been alot simpler just to get a more powerful antenna for your router. Costs some money though. a 12 dBi antenna usually goes for 50 on ebay. much improvement over your 2 dBi one you have currently =p.

 

[DPOverLord]

Originally posted by: Talcite
Might have been alot simpler just to get a more powerful antenna for your router. Costs some money though. a 12 dBi antenna usually goes for 50 on ebay. much improvement over your 2 dBi one you have currently =p.

so the extra router is just giving me anohter 2 dBi? Well the system works now but we just cant share any files. If lets say we make the work group xyz and we are all set up to that. Then if we share folder temp, we can see our names under this work-group. But as I said previously it will not allow us to view anything. Any ideas?

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: DPOverLord

Originally posted by: Talcite
Might have been alot simpler just to get a more powerful antenna for your router. Costs some money though. a 12 dBi antenna usually goes for 50 on ebay. much improvement over your 2 dBi one you have currently =p.

so the extra router is just giving me anohter 2 dBi? Well the system works now but we just cant share any files. If lets say we make the work group xyz and we are all set up to that. Then if we share folder temp, we can see our names under this work-group. But as I said previously it will not allow us to view anything. Any ideas?

my idea: dont use network neighborhood to "share files", network browsing is a dark art.

I would use UNC paths, \\computername\share

and make sure that usernames/passwords are the sam eon both ends.

 

[DPOverLord]

Originally posted by: nweaver
my idea: dont use network neighborhood to "share files", network browsing is a dark art.

I would use UNC paths, \\computername\share

and make sure that usernames/passwords are the sam eon both ends.

How would I go aroudn using a UNC path with the right user / pw in windows xp / 2k. Not sure how to file share this way.

 

[DPOverLord]

bump

 

[Talcite]

I'm not too familiar with the UNC paths, but I think you have still have to share the folder in windows just like through network neighbourhood. Instead of browsing through network neighbourhood, you type \\(computer name or IP file is on)\(folder file is on). Of course this all assumes you already know the IP and the location of your file. UNC happens to be faster, but in my opinion, I like it when I can see which files I'm browsing.

Yes, all cheap routers use 2dBi antennas. Even the Dlink gaming one, which is 140 cdn only uses a 5dBi antenna. Check your router to see if you're using an SMA or a TNC connector (I think I have the right acronoms) and find the matching antenna. You'll have to look on ebay for a cheap one. Try to find one with a good manufacturer so you'll be guarenteed you're getting what you're paying for. I'd say a 10 dBi antenna is more than enough for your home. You should also consider using directional antennas since you mentioned your router is at the corner of your house. If you stick it at the furthest point and use a 90 degree sweep antenna, then I'd say you could cover your entire apartment. Alternatively, you could use omni directional antennas, but I'd say you'd be dumping more signal into your neighbour's apartment than yours =p.