Wireless Bridge Hub - Am I Up in the Night?

[UTmtnbiker]

First off, I should say I'm no networking genius. I know just enough to get me in trouble and enough to set up a basic wireless network (which I currently have)...so with that in mind, the less technical the answer, probably the better.

My TV area has both an Xbox and a ReplayTV that I would like to hook up to my wireless (802.11b) network. I know I'll need a bridge (Linksys WET11 or D-link DWL-810+ are the ones I'm looking at - I'm currently running a D-Link 713P+ wireless router). However, rather than buy 2 bridges, can I just buy 1 bridge and a 4 port router/hub/switch? Plug the Xbox and the ReplayTV in to 2 ports of the router, plug the bridge in to 1 port (I'm assuming it'd be the WAN port or something like that) and basically make myself a wireless bridge hub with 2 extra ports for room to grow?

Is this possible or impossible because of something in the router or bridge or something?

TIA.

 

[rw120555]

Given that you already have a router in your network, I think you want a switch or hub. Think of your wireless bridge as serving pretty much the same function that a really long cable from your current router would perform -- it is just doing things wirelessly instead. The main trick might be getting the bridge to work with your existing wireless network -- sometime different brands have trouble working together when doing something a littl esoteric like this --but I believe the Wet11 is supposed to work with any brand of equipment.

 

[rw120555]

Also, look at this diagram -- the Wet11 in the upper left hand corner seems to be being used the way you envision.

 

[JackMDS]

The logical way id the follow RW advice.

It can be done you way too,

Doing it your way i.e., adding a second Wireless Router will cost you more. However by having two Wireless Routers you will have a better Wireless Coverage in your home.

 

[UTmtnbiker]

Thanks for the info. rw, you're right. It looks like the upper left hand corner of that Linksys page is exactly what I'm envisioning. I'll probably buy all D-link however as that's what my wireless router is right now and I've heard horror stories about trying to make different brand networking equipment compatible with each other.

Thanks again and I'm sure I'll be back posting here when I actually get the stuff as I swear up and down a flag pole trying to set it up (knock on wood).

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

When it came time to connect the TiVo and X-Box to my network, I strung a wire. It's much easier and more reliable that way.