Unable to connect to access point

I'm currently trying to connect the Wireless Access Point to my D-Link Wireless Router to make the range of my wireless network larger and strengthen the signal to a desktop downstairs. I was hoping someone might be able to help out and walk me through how to set this access point up? Thanks in advance.

I currently have a D-Link wireless router (SSID of D-Linked) sharing to a laptop (wireless adapter built in) and a desktop (usb wireless adapter).
The router is 192.168.0.1 and each device, laptop and desktop are set to aquire ip address automatically.
The signal to the desktop unit is weak so I purchased a Home Plug Access Point. I plugged it in the wall and instantly both units saw the device as SSID of "default" and showed a strong signal.
The instructions said to change ip address from obtain auto to 10.0.0.10 on the desktop so that I could access the access point at 10.0.0.3. This already drops the laptop from being able to connect to my wireless router.
When I connect to SSID "default" it connects but I do not have access to the internet.
What am I missing?
Instructions for access point are not clear but said once wireless access point was set up to go back and set to obtain ip address automatically. When I do this, I get limited or no connectivity to wireless access point.
I changed the D-Link wireless router to an address of 10.0.0.1 since the wireless access point was 10.0.0.3. In the wireless router I turned off radio so it wouldn't broadcast SSID and I named the wireless access point the same as the wireless router, "D-Linked ".
The laptop still has a manual address of 10.0.0.10 with gateway to 10.0.0.1. It says I'm connected but I have no internet access.

I'm counting on the quick replies of longtime users, Newt? or ANYBODY that can help me out.
I need to get this working as soon as possible. no replies?

 

The first thing I would try is to change the wireless channel being used by the wireless system on the DLink router. If both units are broadcasting on the same wireless channel, they may interfere with one another.

Also, I'd suggest you limit the number of wireless connection by first checking how thing work using a cable between either the desktop and the router, or the laptop and the router.

Can you post make and model (part number would be useful) of both the router and the home access plugs so we can look up the manuals.

 

ReggieB,

Thanks for the reply.

I was under the impression both units (router and ap) had to be on the same channel. My first mistake. I will try that and see what happens.
I'll put wireless router on ch6 and wireless ap on ch11.
In the meantime, can you confirm my other assumption that both SSIDs have to be the same?
I'm not sure what you meant by "...first checking how thing work using a cable between either the desktop and the router, or the laptop and the router" but I can confirm that with the AP out of the picture the laptop connects to the wireless router no problems and if I move the desktop closer it'll connect no problems.

D-Link wireless router is DI-624
Wireless AP is Sparklan EP-6800 (very limited resources on internet)
Mine doesn't say Sparklan on the fron, but model number is EP-6800
Info can be found here: http://www.sparklan.com/product_details.php?prod_id=43


When I change obtain auto to a static address I can connect, just can't pull up internet. Instructions say once wireless ap is set up and rebooted to change back to obtain auto. As soon as I do that it tries to obtain for 2 minutes then errors limited or no connectivity.

 

Here's an update on my progress.
I'm completely lost at the level of my ability.

Computer upstairs with D-Link Wireless Router will be COMP A
Laptop downstairs will be COMP B
DLink Wireless Router will be WR
Wireless Access Point will be WAP

Both machines XP Home, 1 SP3 COMP A, 1 SP2 COMP B
All subnet mask assumed as 255.255.255.0

COMP A's WR has ip address of 10.0.0.1, has DHCP enabled has broadcast on
ip's set to obtain auto. SSID is DLinked (took out "-" thinking it might conflict) WEP is off. Channel 11

WAP has ip address of 10.0.0.3

COMP B is set to obtain ip auto and I can connect to WR and have internet access and can ping 10.0.0.1
I set ip to manual and enter 10.0.0.10, gateway of 10.0.0.1 and then connect to "default" which is default SSID of WAP. I changed the SSID of WAP to DLinked. Channel to 6.
At this point COMP B can then connect to WAP, but has no internet access and I can not ping 10.0.0.1 (the WR)
When I change from manual ips to obtain auto, I get limited, no connectivity error and ip changes to dreaded 169... ip.

At this point I can unplug the WAP and COMP B refreshes and reconnects to WR, gets an ip from DHCP and I can then ping 10.0.0.1! (and obviously can't ping 10.0.0.3)

AND at this point I can plug the WAP BACK IN and loose internet, staying connected though (to WAP) and can ping 10.0.0.3 (WAP) but NOT 10.0.0.1 (WR)

I think I have all the logic down and everything seems like it's right but I'm sure it's something very minor that I'm overlooking.
Hope this babble helps someone come up with a solution, sugestion.

 

Forgive me if this was already stated but I'm a little confused here.

The way I understand it we have a D Link Wireless router, a Home plug, and an Access Point?

What is actually connected by wire?

Can you list the connections starting in order?

Internet, Modem, D Link, .........

 

I almost confuse myself when I re-read my posts!
Only have DLink wireless router and HomePlug (which is my access point)

In order...
Internet -> Cable modem, hard wired to DLink wireless router -> port 1 is hard wired to upstairs computer -> wireless functions to downstairs desktop (has usb wireless adapter) and roaming laptop.
The HomePlug access point is midway between wireless router and desktop.

 

SO, no takers on this?!

Router: 192.168.0.1
Gateway: same
Access point (changed from 10.0.0.3 to 192.168.0.3
SSID on both router and AP: DLinked
Tried channel 11 router, channel 11 ap AND router on 11, AP on 6...no luck
Obatin IP address auto from laptop trying to connect through AP: limited or no conectivity error.
Force 192 net address on laptop, I can connect to AP but have no internet access.

Unplug the AP from the wall and with ip address set to something or ip address set to auto, the laptop connects again and can access internet.
Make sense?

Please, someone's gotta have some hints/tips/suggestions.

 

Tony,

I will assign the ips as you have described, but as I recall, nowhere in the AP's setup was the option to either turn DHCP on or off, nor was there an entry point for a gateway ip.

http://www.sparklan.com/product_details.php?prod_id=43

http://www.sparklan.com/data/prod_data/14/prod_data.pdf

Maybe these links could help prove if maybe this is a propriatary device that can't just be added to any wireless network?

 

Tony,

Here are the only two files that came with the CD.

http://members.cox.net/joelocke/doc1.pdf

http://members.cox.net/joelocke/doc2.pdf

Haven't been able to try your suggestion yet, will probably today.

 

Found this forum when I was puzzling over the same unit you have. It just arrived today.

I bought it for the same reason you bought yours. I've never used power-line LAN systems before, and what I was expecting was essentially a router that plugged into the ADSL modem and used the house electrical wiring for an antenna. The first clue that I was wrong is when I couldn't find any connectors other than the AC plug.

Now I'm guessing it's a range extender that slaves to my existing AP, but I'm not sure. I just sent an e-mail to the place I bought it asking for some conceptual help.

I have used two Buffalo routers in the past, setting up one as a repeater but using wireless communications, not power lines. Tony T is quite correct about the concepts for the hardware he's describing -- two APs without a built-in repeater function -- but the Buffalo router had that function, so my setup did use a single SSID.

Once I get the concepts straight I'll start setting this thing up and share the results with you. I don't want to suggest any solutions until I am clear about what the thing is supposed to do LOL!

The manual is no help, as you noted -- for example, it says to set up the device in the center of the wireless network so it has line-of-sight to all the wireless devices. If I could do that I wouldn't need the doggone thing -- I'd just put the wireless router there!

 

Every "Home Plug" system I have ever used had 2 ends that plugged into the wall outlet. Ethernet in on the first end, and Ethernet out on the other end to your favorite appliance.
I haven't had time to read the manual on the product your talking about but I'll look at it when I get a chance.