Using wireless router as access point

[TBP]

Here is what I got:

cable modem - wired SMC broadband router - wireless Dlink - laptop

There are also other desktop PCs connected to the SMC via ethernet cable. The Dlink and SMC are connected though the LAN ports using a straightthough cable. SMC DHCP server is on, MAC filter is on, Dlink DHCP server is off, WEP is on, SSID broadcasting is off, MAC filter is not working when DHCP server is off (?). Dlink's LAN IP is manually set in the configuration. All computers get theirs from the SMC.

Now on the desktops, I can log into the Dlink and do all the admin work, by http to the Dlink IP. But the laptop can't seem to find that IP, though other network activities are normal (internet, talk to the desktops).

Question:

1. How to explain that the laptop can't see the Dlink while it is able to utilize the wireless router as an access point?
2. Is my home network secure enough to fence off casual hackers?

 

[bluntman]

We have the similar network configurations (SMC 7004 router, DLink DWL-2100AP). There's nothing wrong with your DLink, it can only be administered through a wired connection and, on mine, changing to IP address of the attached computer to an IP "adjacent" to the AP.

I have DHCP on the SMC turn ON, and MAC filtering turned OFF.

On the DLink I have SSID Broadcast turned OFF, MAC filtering turned ON (allowing only my laptop to access through the AP) and WEP encryption turned ON. From what I've read turning OFF the SSID Broadcasting and enabling WEP are two big steps in people from taking over your bandwidth. MAC filtering may just be being anal retentive.