Using two Linksys WRT54GS one as a repeater and 10/100 Switch does this work?

[Ziptar]

I have decided to upgrade my wireless to hardware that supports WPA2-PSK AES. I also want to get better signal through out the house, I have a couple of spots where I only get 5.5Mbps most of the time and the signal is very low. The WPA2-PSK support and the svesoft firmware makes the Linksys WRT54GS look like the one to buy.

This is what I would like to do, Replace my Current Netgear WGR614 Wireless Router with a WRT54GS. I have a CAT5 cable run to another room in the house for a PC. I would like to get another WRT54GS and hook it to that CAT5 and use it as a AP/Signal Booster. I understand if I setup the second WRT54GS as an AP only set the SSID on the second WRT54GS to the same SSID as the first WRT54GS but set it to a different channel than the first WRT54GS the wireless cards in my laptops will automatically connect to whichever signal is strongest... is that correct??

I would also still like to use the 10/100 ports on second WRT54GS as a switch so I could still use PC in that room on the CAT5 10/100 network, I like to do my gaming on CAT5 instead of WiFi. If I am using the second WRT54GS as a signal booster/AP can I still use the 4 ports on the back of it??

The First WRT54GS will be Hooked to a Sprint 645 DSL modem and have a Linksys RT31P2 hooked to it for Vonage. Any issues using a WRT54GS with this other hardware?

Thanks

 

[dnoyeb]

you will likely need to give each different blocks of IP addresses to hand out. Thats probably all it will take. The network card should connect to the strongest depending on the software. Im surprised you need 2 in one house. Must have a big house. If they are not on the same floor I understand as wireless does not like going through floors too much.