Setting up 2 wireless routers in a bridge configuration...

[AMDPwred]

I have two Linksys wireless routers; 802.11g and 802.11b. I have my 802.11g device downstairs because I keep my laptop downtowns and get such a better signal that way. However, I have a few boxes upstairs that I'd like to connect over LAN. Is it possible to use my 802.11b router as a "bridge" that will receive the signal from downstairs and allow me to tap into it via the 4 hardwired ports? Thanks for any advice.

 

[cparker]

I don't believe that two linksys routers can act as a bridge. You might check the documentation to be sure. There are some other makes that will allow that on some models, though. With Linksys you want to get something like two wap54g units. I think that the wap54g will also work with a Linksys router, at least some of the models, so you might be able to get by with just one wap54g and one of your routers, but you should check the documentation on the Linksys site for the wap54g to be sure. You would, of course, need a switch with enough ports to handle the cable to the wap54g as well as to the computers in the lan upstairs.

 

[Madwand1]

You can bridge Linksys 802.11g routers using various third-party firmware such as DD-WRT. I'm not sure about 802.11b, and I'd avoid them if they can't do WPA security.

The Netgear WGPS606 will bridge to a Linksys/etc. and support WPA-PSK, without any firmware hacking.

If you search around here (somehow), you'll find a number of suggestions on how to bridge wirelessly.

 

[JackMDS]

This Router can do WDS, http://www.belkin.com/support/kb/kb.asp?a=2814

It is the least expensive of the others, http://www.bizrate.com/bridges_routers/pid7589775/compareprices.html

:sun:

Be aware WDS cuts the bandwitdh into half past the repeating ( Wireless Network - Configuration Modes. ).

 

[tuongo]

How can you tell from the specs if you can use third party software/use it as a bridge? Does it explicitly say either of those things? From the NEtgear MR814v2 only pdf:

Infrastructure Mode
With a wireless Access Point, you can operate the wireless LAN in the infrastructure mode. This mode provides wireless connectivity to multiple wireless network devices within a fixed range or area of coverage, interacting with wireless nodes via an antenna.
In the infrastructure mode, the wireless access point converts airwave data into wired Ethernet data, acting as a bridge between the wired LAN and wireless clients. Connecting multiple Access Points via a wired Ethernet backbone can further extend the wireless network coverage. As a mobile computing device moves out of the range of one access point, it moves into the range of another. As a result, wireless clients can freely roam from one Access Point domain to another and still maintain seamless network connection.

 

[JackMDS]

3rd party firmware that is stable and can count on, works only with some of the Linksys WRT line of 802.11g.

:sun: