setting up a wireless network using a wired router

[ojai00]

I've read the FAQ and a couple of threads and have a general idea. I just want to make sure that I'm correct in the setup steps.

Some general information:
I have a SMC Barricade 7004ABR wired router with 2 PCs and 1 laptop connected to it (all running XP).

Here's how the setup will look in my head.

Cable modem -> WAN port on 7004ABR wired router -> port 1 = PC #1, port 2 = PC #2, port 3 = laptop, port 4 = wireless router. Wireless router will go out to living room so that laptop can connect over wireless network.

Is this setup correct? I've read that wireless routers can also act as access points. Would it be better to get a wireless router or just an access point? I was considering these items that JackMDS recommended in another thread.

Barricade 11Mbps Wireless Cable/DSL Broadband Router with 4 Port Switch
EZ Connect 802.11b Wireless PCMCIA Network Adapter

Thanks in advance for any insight on this.

 

[Mavtech]

If its a wireless router and has a built in switch, there is no need for the wired router. Just put the 2 PCs on the wireless router.

 

[ojai00]

Originally posted by: Mavtech
If its a wireless router and has a built in switch, there is no need for the wired router. Just put the 2 PCs on the wireless router.

Thanks for the reply Mavtech. The reason I wanted to hook the wireless router up to the wired router is because the cable modem and wired router are in my room. I wanted to use the laptop out in the living room so I was planning on plugging the wireless router into the wired router and the PC in the living room into the wireless router. Would that work?

 

[Mavtech]

It should work that way but the laptop will not suffer any wireless connection having the wireless router in another room. I'm just trying to help you simplify your setup. I have a wireless router with 2 wired PCs, 1 wired server, 2 wireless laptops, and one wireless PDA. The router is not in any of the rooms with the wireless Laptops.

 

[ojai00]

Cool. Thanks for the help Mavtech. I was just worried about the signal degrading over the walls it has to go through.

 

[ojai00]

One more question: should I stick with 802.11b or go with 802.11g?

 

[Mavtech]

The main difference between G and B is that G is 54 mbps. B is 11 mbps. You will most likely only notice a difference transfering files to or from your wireless PCs. I don't think you will notice a difference browsing the internet.

 

[heartsurgeon]

you should get a wireless access point, not a wireless router.

just plug the wireless AP into one of your router ports and your good to go.

if you get a wireless router, you will have a headache getting it "programmed" to act like a access point...trust me..i went through this..the AP is plug and go.

the wireless router alone could be used to replace your wired router if you prefer, but what i did was place the wireless AP in the center of my house (wired router in basement)

 

[Mavtech]

What kind of wireless router did you have trouble with? Why would it be harder? It is an AP. The setup is the same. I've had a Linksys and a D-Link wireless router. Both were pretty easy to setup. Its basically an Access Point with a built in switch. Thats the difference.

 

[xSauronx]

i had no problems setting up a wireless router as an AP, just last week in fact. actually, i used two MS mn-500's, wireless base stations. one as router/wireless point. the other as just ap (though, the software that comes with them is aggravating, i hated it, and dont use it)

set up router/ap to use an ip OUTSIDE of the routers ip range but in the same subnet, disable everything on router/ap (firewall, DHCP, etc)
crossover from router lan port to router/ap lan port

then...w00tness. easy enough. so not only do i have wireless access in the whole house (excepting one room at the end of the house with a double brick wall) but i have two switches....need to get some guys over and do some lan gaming

 

[ojai00]

Ordered the router and hoping it gets here today. I'm going to try to hook the router up as an access point, mainly because my wired router has a print server.