Wireless network config feasibility question

[TakedownCA]

Hi, I need to figure out a way to provide wireless access at work w/o being behind a router. I'm not a networking newbie, but I wanted to get some feedback before I tell the boss to spend all that cash and have a nonfunctional network. Currently our network goes like this:

dsl > 1-port router > hub > work pc's

The boss needs to be able to use netmeeting with customers that are also behind a router/firewall. According to the help pages, this isn't possible. Aside from tinkering with our router's port forwarding settings to verify this, I also talked to our router's techsupport. They confirmed that the only way to make it work would be to have his computer connected to the dsl outside of the router through a second network connection on his pc. He also has a laptop that he would like to easily connect to the network w/o wires, so this is the config I have suggested to him:

dsl > switch > accesspoint > boss's pc or laptop w/ wireless adapter
> hub > work pc's

Is there another way to do this more efficiently? Would it be easier if I just hooked up the boss's pc to the switch directly w/o wireless access like this?

dsl > switch > boss's pc
> hub > work pc's

If I did this could he still access information on work computers linked to the hub?

One more question. If I did install an accesspoint, would more than one computer at a time be able to link to it if it is not uplinked to a router? I know my d-link accesspoint won't allow more than one connection unless there is a router between it and the cablemodem. Ok, I've rambled too long. Thanks for any help guys

 

[skyking]

you can set it up like this, providing you have two IP's:
dsl/switch-----WAP------bosses computer(IP 1)
I
I
router------- other switch----------rest of network( IP 2)
Keep in mind, your bosses computer will be out there on The WAN, and I'd want a software firewall.

 

[TakedownCA]

So we'd need to buy an additional IP if I want my boss's pc and the router both connected to the dsl at the same time?

 

[TakedownCA]

Wait, I just found out we already have 5 ip's so that's not a problem. But there is still the other 2 questions:

1) Would my boss be able to access shares that are behind the router?
2) If I used a wireless accesspoint directly after the switch, could more than one computer logon to it at the same time?

Again, here are the two configurations I am proposing:

Wired
dsl---switch----boss
|----router----hub----work pc's

Wireless
dsl---switch----accesspoint----boss
|----router----hub----work pc's

 

[skyking]

1)Your bosses computer needs two interfaces to accomplish what you want. One for the lan, one for the wan.
2) No, that is the entire point of a second IP. If you set up a router to share a connection, you will break the other protocol you are trying to fix. One IP for your netmeeting protocol, and nothing else. One Ip(or more) for the rest of the office.

 

[TakedownCA]

Ok, so I'd need something like this, right?
So if I have 5 ip's to work with right now, 1 goes to the router and 1 goes to every wireless device linked to the accesspoint?

dsl---switch----accesspoint----boss
...........|----router----hub------------|----work pc's

 

[skyking]

ygpm