Setting up network with two Routers?

[Rokuk]

Hi there.

A friend of mine gave me an Apple Airport Extreme base station... it says on the box it supports B and G, but there is no mention of N, so I think it is the older model.

I am in a big house, and the router we have to share the cable internet wirelessly is a DLink DIR-655 ( should be http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=530 ). But this provides a pretty bad connection on the other side of the house from where it physically needs to be located.

I've heard / read you can connect multiple Airport Extremes together to extend a network using an Apple application. Is there a way to connect the Airport Extreme to the DLink router to extend the network to cover the entire house? Is this a Mesh network? I think what I'm talking about the Apple documentation calls a "Wireless Distribution System (WDS)" - but they only give vague instructions on how to do this, and it only talks about connecting all-Apple hardware using an Apple software utility. I'm looking at things like ( http://manuals.info.apple.com/...eStationSetupGuide.pdf - on page 18).

Any way to make this work for my situation?

THANKS!!

 

[ch33zw1z]

The WDS setup sounds an awful lot like the additional AP's work as a Client bridge. Similar to this: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/ima...ndard_bridge_large.jpg

where you have the main router on one side, and another router operating as a Client Bridge passing along data to the main router wirelessly, essentially extending your network.

There's a section in the manual for "extending" the range, maybe an antennae with extra power can solve your problem.

 

[Rokuk]

That's pretty much exactly what I want to do = )

Do you know of any references / guides on how to actually set that up? Do I set up the Airport Extreme to be a client IP on the DLink router somehow, and then just set up a separate network behind the Airport with the Airport as the gateway?

Or do I set the DLink as a gateway for the Airport? I'm lost on this part...

Thanks!!

 

[Paperlantern]

Typically wireless repeater type setups need to be able to communicate on two bands. If it's not communicating on two bands and you are only hooking to it via the wireless signal its receiving you may end up with no better signal than before, even if it does work, then you are limited to wired connection on that side only because you are already using the antenna to communicate with the other router. Your best bet would be to run one cable through ceiling or basement to the other side of the house or to an area much closer to that side, and set the other router as a switch and just extend it that way. Far easier than trying to bridge connections using what wireless signal IS making it across, and limiting computers on that side of the bridge to wired only.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: PaperlanternIf it's not communicating on two bands and you are only hooking to it via the wireless signal its receiving you may end up with no better signal than before

Lucky for us most things in life are Not all or nothing.

While it is true that almost all Entry level WDS Wireless Routers cut the bandwidth into half, in many cases half of the bandwidth is better than Nothing, or than a Marginal Signal.

Rokuk

WDS needs two Wireless Routers/Access point that support WDS. I do Not know in particular about the two that you have.

Otherwise, this week this Router is on sale with a Good price and it can do WDS once flashed with free DD-WRT firmware.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/..._-33-320-026-_-Product

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation#Asus

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tut...ls/article.php/3628576

 

[ch33zw1z]

Sweet deal on that Asus, I'm tempted and I don't even need it!!