Wireless networking for PS2/Xbox besides WET11/DWL810

[SoulAssassin]

Just picked up a PS2 the other day and I'm looking at using a wireless solution for 'net access. I've looked at the WET11/DWL810 and they both look like they'd do the job just fine. The problem comes with the price tag on it. I can't justify more than $100 for the wireless bridge when I didn't pay that much for my AP. Add in almost $50 for the PS2 adaptor and you matched the $150 I paid for the PS2.

My questions are:

a) Are there any other cheaper 802.11b bridges? I can sleep fine spending maybe $50 or so but any more than that and it might be worth actually running the cable.

b) Is it possible to have two AP's talk together in a peer/peer type setup? Where one is the actual router out to the rest of the world and the other acts more as a hub for the wired connections uplinking to the real router. There's some AP's in the hot deals forums going for around ~60. Having multiple wired connections connected to the AP would save me from buying a 802.11b NIC for the PC going in the room soon and a hub for the bridge.

 

[JackMDS]

A) Yeah, there is a 3rd solution.

This one can also act as an Access Point.

Hawking WB320 Wireless Workgroup Bridge.

As for price, I think it goes by the rule ?If playing Games over Wireless is so important, it will cost ya?.


B ) Wireless, Network Configuration Mode.

?Wireless bridges? is mode of Network operation, it can apply to any of the above, depends how you need to configure your Network,

Access Point Configurations:

Mode 1 - Gateway. All Entry Level Wireless Access Point (AP) can act as Wireless Hub to connect to Wireless Clients that are installed in computers.

Mode 2 - Bridge. Some AP can also be configured as a Bridge. In such a Configuration the AP can only communicate with another AP that is configured as a Bridge. This mode is useful to Bridge two LANs that are a part, and it is preferred to connect them wirelessly. Plug one AP Bridge to a Switch on the first LAN, the other AP to a Switch on the second LAN, and they are connected.

Mode 3. Client - Few AP can also be configured as Clients. In such a configuration they act as a "Fancy" regular Wireless card that usually goes on a computer. Under such configuration The AP can only communicate with a Gateway configured AP.

Mode 4 - Repeater. One ot two AP thus far (D-Link 900AP+) can work as a Repeater. It acts like a client to receive a signal from any 802.11b source (regular Router or AP), and as an AP it broadcasts to regular clients, thus enabling to extend the Wireless range.

Since basic repeaters have only one Radio it alternates between Client, and AP mode, thus reduces the Speed of the extended segment by 50%.

Mode 5 - Independent Bridges. These are units that are actually Wireless clients that are Independent of Drivers. As a result they can be connected to a device that supports Wireless but it is not a regular computer. They can turn printers and game boxes that are equipped with Ethernet connection into 802.11b Wireless compatible devices. (Linksys WET11, D-Link DWL-810).


Let capture.

Mode 1 can only communicate with Mode 3.

Mode 2 can only communicate with Mode 2.

Mode 3 can communicate with Mode 1,

Mode 4 can communicate with Mode 1, and Mode 3.

Mode 5 can communicate with Mode 1 (and Mode 2 if it can be configured as a real bridge).


As far as I know to date, almost all the AP that are part of a Cable/DSL Routers, can only be configured as Gateways (Mode 1).

 

[SoulAssassin]

Originally posted by: JackMDS


As far as I know to date, almost all the AP that are part of a Cable/DSL Routers, can only be configured as Gateways (Mode 1).

You had me really excited all the way up until that point. Thanks for the good info, though.

Anyone else? I'm in an apartment right now so I can manage running cable pretty easy, but I'm buying a house end of Jan. and don't want to run cable between 2nd floor and basement or spend a million dollars just to play SOCOM online.

 

[ktwebb]

Repeaters will work with AP's. No need to work with "client mode" AP's or dedicated workgroup bridges.
Workgroup bridges associate to AP's. Unless the AP can run in Bridge and AP mode at the same time a WGB wouldn't work with a bridge.

You best solution is probably an AP that has a workgroup bridge function, or what Linksys calls "client mode"
Not only would it work as a WGB but you'd have future flexibility to use it as an AP or bridge down the road. WAP11 or comparable products are 100 or even well under 100 bucks these days, especially with rebates and stuff.