Wireless Access Point/Bridge

[maddawg]

I have a a network set up with 2 wired computers & 1 laptop on it. Everything works fine except in my new addition I get a weak signal.

The router and computer "A" is in the basement and the other wired computer "B" on 2nd floor. Most of the work I do is on my laptop on the 1st floor. I tried re-positioning my router in the basement, but still a weak signal on 1st floor - there is no basement under new addition.

I do have a spare WRT54G and would like to know how I can boost the speed on the 1st floor w/out having to move the original router from the basement.

Do I need to set up an access point?? If so, how do I do it??
Do I need to run a line to 1st floor??

The main router is also a Linksys WRT54G - which I put larger antennas on it. I'd like to use the equipment I got if possible......

 

[themisfit610]

You can likely flash these routers to DD-WRT or something similar, and setup a WDS (wireless distribution system). It's exactly what it sounds like.

Check it out

~MiSfit

 

[JackMDS]

Option 1. Daisy chain with one CAT5e wire.

Can be done with any Wireless Router like this, http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

Option 2. Wirelessly (Without a wire), Repeater/WDS solution.

Wireless Modes - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html

Can be done with Routers that support WDS or can be made into supporting WDS with 3rd party firmware.

Set WDS

Reasonably priced solution is to buy few Wireless Routers and set them as WDS system

You start with two units, and continue until everything is covered.

Linksys Router should be flashed with DD-WRT firmware in oder to do WDS.

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

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/ind..._Linked_router_network

The base unit that is attached to the Modem should be configured, as a regular Wireless Routers.

WDS units configured like this, http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tut...ls/article.php/3628576

 

[spidey07]

Are you having performance problems? A weak signal isn't a direct indicator of "a problem". You can't really believe the "bars" anyway.

 

[maddawg]

In my living room, the reception is spotty. If I go in my kitchen which the router is just below - it works great. I have a Linksys WRT54g with Firmware Version: v3.03.9.

I've been hearing a lot about this DD-WRT firmware - Would that maybe help me???
What is their best version and a reliable site to get it from???

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: maddawg
I've been hearing a lot about this DD-WRT firmware - Would that maybe help me???
What is their best version and a reliable site to get it from???

The main site is: http://www.dd-wrt.com

You need to find out which hardware revisions you have, and select appropriate firmware and instructions for it. These are important and often the hardest parts of the entire process -- you have to get the versions and steps correct. (Some gratuitous reboots and resets might not hurt.)

Although it's a bit bleeding-edge at this time, I suggest checking out a recent v24 beta (RC). It has a client "repeater bridge" mode which could be helpful for the second router.

This could (1) connect to the main router as a client and share that connection with any locally wired clients (this is the "client bridge" part), and (2) broadcast another wireless LAN (this is the "repeater" part). The main benefit of these modes as opposed to the more common WDS modes is that they don't require any changes on the main router.

Of course, you might also install DD-WRT on both routers and use the WDS mode instead.

DD-WRT also allows boosting the signal output greater than the default, so might be helpful for that alone.