Wifi Route not assigning IPs to Wireless clients

[debremus]

I am trying to setup a Netgear N300 as a wireless access point. I have disabled DHCP on the Netgear and assigned it an IP to the proper subnet. There is a DHCP on the work, which I have verified is working, as a wired connection to the Netgear assigns an IP properly. Wireless devices are not being assigned an IP address. However, one of my coworkers is able to get an IP from the Netgear from his phone. He has seperate wireless access points on his side of the building that are connected to the same network.

Why would the DHCP server assign IP addresses to known MAC addresses, unknown WIRED MAC addresses, but NOT wireless unknown MAC addresses?

I would check the DHCP server settings, but unfortunately the IT admin is an idiot and doesn't know what she is doing, but likes her stipend to much to let me take a peek. She has to call an IT guy from some company to talk to me, and all he said was to buy a different access point.

Any ideas?

 

[Fardringle]

Is the Netgear N300 attached to the existing wired network using its WAN port or one of the LAN ports? In order to function as an access point on the existing network, it must be connected with one of its LAN ports. If it is already set up that way, then you might need the "clueless" IT admin (or the guy from the other company) check the settings on the DHCP server to see if there are any restrictions preventing it from giving IP addresses to the new wireless clients. One way to test this would be to take one of the not working devices and try to attach it to the access points on the other side of the building to see if it is able to get an IP address there or not.

 

[debremus]

Is the Netgear N300 attached to the existing wired network using its WAN port or one of the LAN ports? In order to function as an access point on the existing network, it must be connected with one of its LAN ports. If it is already set up that way, then you might need the "clueless" IT admin (or the guy from the other company) check the settings on the DHCP server to see if there are any restrictions preventing it from giving IP addresses to the new wireless clients. One way to test this would be to take one of the not working devices and try to attach it to the access points on the other side of the building to see if it is able to get an IP address there or not.

I am indeed using LAN port.

I wanted to connect my phone to an access point to test in the same fashion yesterday but couldn't find anyone who remembers what their wifi password is... I am told that there are no restrictions in place on their DHCP server. Even if the other access points hand out ip addresses, it doesn't get to the root of the problem.

I just don't want to order another access point to then have to explain to my boss that it still doesn't work.

 

[Fardringle]

It doesn't get to the root of the problem, but will narrow down the possible causes of the problem. If your device doesn't get an IP address on their access points, then it's a problem with the network configuration/security. If it does, then it's more likely a problem with the access point configuration on the N300.

Unless the N300 is defective, you shouldn't need to replace it with something else.

Just disable DHCP on the N300, configure the wireless security settings you want, give it a valid IP address for the network, connect it to the network via one of its LAN ports, and then anything connecting to it will automatically get an IP address from the DHCP server on the network unless that DHCP server is configured so that it can't or won't give IP addresses to your devices.

 

[serpretetsky]

I don't konw if you've narrowed down your problem far enough but keep in mind that managed switches can be setup with port security settings that will only allow a single (or some other number) mac address to communicate on that port.

Ofcourse, this wouldn't affect just wifi. You would be able to test this by plugging in a switch into that same port and seeing if two devices can get a connection at the same time.

Just something to keep in mind.