Urgent wirless networking issue

johngalt9999

Member
Jan 17, 2003
81
0
0
I am trying to help my friend set up a home network, following are the specs:

*OS: winXP
*Linksys Wirless Access/ Point Router (Befw11s4)
*2 NIC cards
*2 Modems 56K
*2 PCs

***Problem:
Normally, when I set up a network with wirless router, I would simply link the cable modem to the wireless WAN port on the router with a CAT 5 network cable, then connect one of the pc with a cable or via 802.11 b PCI card. However, my friend doesn't have cable or DSL, which mean he doesn't have constant live connection to the internet (use 56K modem). So, how would I set up a home network for him via wireless router?

Thanks in advance
 

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,286
145
106
you might need to just get a junky computer to use as a server, Set up a linux router system on it, have it dial in on startup, and share its internet connecton with the Wireless router.
 

capricorn

Senior member
May 8, 2003
219
0
76
I would have said create a Linux router machine, too, but I'd guess using the Windows Internet Connection Sharing is the simpler way to go. Linux has always been a bit dicey for some people trying to use dial-up connections, although I did it for a few months until I got DSL. I still use a Linux box for my firewall even though I have the LinkSys BEFW11S4, too. (I really just like the flexibility of the Linux firewall.) While you are getting this set up, you might want to go into the LinkSys BEFW11S4 web setup, go to the Advanced tab, then the Dynamic Routing tab and set the WAP to work in Router mode. This tells it to forget all that firewall stuff it knows and just pass all packets. Once you get the ICS working through the Windows box, then you can turn firewalling back on. I'm just thinking it might take one variable out of the equation while getting started. If your friend doesn't have some sort of firewall software on the machine that's doing the dial-up, he may want to consider it. The wireless connections behind the WAP would be protected by the BEFW11S4's firewall, but the computer that's hosting the ICS connection wouldn't be. (The risk is admittedly low for dial-ups. Their IP addresses move around and their connection speed isn't fast enough to be of interest to most hackers.)

Just some thoughts.

-cap