Wireless Access Point

[munruss]

I have a SMC 7004VWBR wireless router. I also have a Netgear MR814 wireless router. Can I use the Netgear as an access point on my wireless home network? If so, how do I configure the Netgear?

I know I have to disable DHCP on the Netgear, but do I have to setup SSID and mirror my WEP settings from the SMC?

 

[yukichigai]

I wouldn't recommend you mirror the settings on the netgear; instead pick a different channel than the SMC, and it might not hurt to pick a different SSID.

Also, if you didn't already know, make sure you disable the automatic internet connection stuff and that you plug the cable into one of the LAN ports, not the WAN.

 

[munruss]

Originally posted by: yukichigai
I wouldn't recommend you mirror the settings on the netgear; instead pick a different channel than the SMC, and it might not hurt to pick a different SSID.

Also, if you didn't already know, make sure you disable the automatic internet connection stuff and that you plug the cable into one of the LAN ports, not the WAN.

By using a different SSID and channel, won't that confuse things on my network?

 

[ktwebb]

Use the same SSID and WEP key if you want your clients to have roaming capabilities. Only reason you would use different SSID or WEP is if you wanted to segment your wireless clients. The only thing you really need to configure differently on the second AP is the channel (frequency)

 

[munruss]

Originally posted by: ktwebb
Use the same SSID and WEP key if you want your clients to have roaming capabilities. Only reason you would use different SSID or WEP is if you wanted to segment your wireless clients. The only thing you really need to configure differently on the second AP is the channel (frequency)

ok, so i do mirror the setting on the Netgear router. Why does the channel have to be different? Would that cause an interference between my wireless workstations?

 

[ktwebb]

non overlapping channels are 1, 6, and 11. Yes, if the two AP's cells crossed coverage too much and they were on the same channel then they would interfere with each other.

 

[munruss]

well, the SMC is on channel 2 right now. Channel two gives me the best sigmal strength. With that in mind, how should iset up the Netgear?

 

[JackMDS]

Start with Security Off.

Here is an example for the setting: Using a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point

1. Set different channels to avoid interface.

2. Set different SSID so that that Wireless computer will not get locked on one Wireless source and would not roam.

When every thing is working well and roaming moves smoothly from one AP to the other take care of WEP.

:sun:

 

[ktwebb]

Originally posted by: munruss
well, the SMC is on channel 2 right now. Channel two gives me the best sigmal strength. With that in mind, how should iset up the Netgear?

7 and up will not overlap with channel 2. You can run different SSID's but it won't make roaming any more fluid. I'd recommend keeping the same SSID but you could experiment with both configurations and see what works best for you.

 

[munruss]

Originally posted by: ktwebb

Originally posted by: munruss
well, the SMC is on channel 2 right now. Channel two gives me the best sigmal strength. With that in mind, how should iset up the Netgear?

7 and up will not overlap with channel 2. You can run different SSID's but it won't make roaming any more fluid. I'd recommend keeping the same SSID but you could experiment with both configurations and see what works best for you.

Thank you for your time and help.