Wired plus wireless on shared network

Four years ago, I tried to install a wireless network (linksys) for my four home computers ... two desktops in the basement and two laptops on ground floor. It was terrible. The linksys was in the basement and the ground floor couldn't receive the signal. When I put the linksys on the ground floor, the basement couldn't receive it and on the ground floor, the linksys was very slow if the antenna wasn't in the same room as the laptops. So I did a wired network. It works great.

Four years later ... I hear that the wireless has greatly improved and that the wireless antenna should be on the floor with the laptops. I see no reason to unwire the basement. So my question is ... can I wire the wireless to the wired router and string the wire upstairs to the ground floor ... will the new wireless router work with the old wired router? Has the technology improved so that I will like the wired setup on the ground floor? What models of wireless does anyone really love?

I would really love to work with my laptop in the library, on the porch, in front of the tv, in the sunroom, etc.

So what do you think. Should I try it again? I have one win2k and 3 Win 98 computers. The win 2k and one win 98 are desktops that have printers attached to them. I use client for microsoft networks on a simple shared network.

Also, when I replace the Win 98 desktop in the basement, should I opt for a Win2k server and keep the Win 98 as a station?

I am grateful for all knowledge.

Thanks

Wiry

 

You will just need a Wireless Access Point connected to the wired router. Unless you have serious distance problems or unusual house structure, the WAP should have no trouble getting signals from the wireless devices and blending them in with the wired part of the network.

Just make sure the WAP you get will handle the signal type your older wireless cards are using - or possibly plan to replace the wireless cards. You might take a look Here and if you want more, a google search for wireless access point gave me over 1.4 million hits.

 

Thanks, Newt. I'll work on it.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

First thing I have learned is that it is almost impossible to piggyback a router to a router. So I returned the wireless router and have a wireless access/point router due to come in tomorrow. (I live in a very untechy place). Will let you know how it comes out.

 

I guess I piggy-back wired and wireless. You just have to have to be able to disable the DHCP in the wireless and hook the wireless router on a regular port of the wired router. In order to get to the wireless configuration I have to use an alternate configuration to access. An AP is simpler. I haven't had to access the wireless router for over a year, so it works for me.

 

This is very interesting. I had a tech with me this afternoon and we disabled the "d" thing ... but still couldn't get it to work ... but we didn't have the uplink in a regular port ... it was in an uplink port. I packed the thing up and radio shack is getting me a router/access point for a lot more money tomorrow. Maybe I should get it out and try again, but I think I'll be better off using the access point. I don't have a lot of faith in it, but I wanted to try it.... The new router/access point will have the "G" technology which is supposed to be better. although I have "B" on my new wide-screen Presario ... Centrino ... so I thought maybe having it built in would be better. If it works, I will get a "G" card for one of the other laptops in my household and see if there is a difference. The tech who was working with me says they spend a lot of time installing and then uninstalling wireless. I tried it about 4 years ago and it was awful. This time the wireless will be on the same floor as the wireless laptops so maybe it will work. Sure would like to be wireless out by the pool.

Thanks for your input.

 

I had to get the card to see the router, the regular way first. Then when I knew it was all seeing each other I disabled the DHCP and hooked it to my wired router as a port. Crossed my fingers and it worked! My wireless router only had one wired port and I already had two computers hooked to the wired router. In order to have two wired and the rest wireless I needed a hub so I just kept the original wired network . Some wireless routers aren't compatible, mine was. You will be happier with that Access Point.

 

OK ... i now have a wireless router/access point. When I try to install it I get a system message that I have a conflict. So I guess that means I have to give it a different address. (A "5" at the end instead of a "1 ". ) Since I can't access it to do it, what do I do ... connect it directly to the cable modem to set the address?
If I do that, will it then automatically configure itself when I hook it up to the router? I have a little trouble with the language they use on linksys web site. I'm not familiar with network-speak.
Any help would be appreciated. I'm connecting my new xp built in wireless to my wired network with three other computers.

Thanks again.

 

Can you get to the router/access point from another computer that is wired? See what is the ssid and what channel it is on. Set up your wireless to have the same.

My wireless is just set to default but it is actually on 10. Start your computer right click the wireless connection in Network connections and view available wireless networks. Connect. Mine just worked once I booted.

The only way I can see my wireless router is to use an alternate configuration and type in the ip config because I turned off the DHCP.

I use obtain an ip automatically, netbios over tcp/ip and do not use authentication. So I only see my Linksys BEFRS41.
Well I'm only running one wired computer now I really don't need the Linksys. If you are running all wireless this would be how yours is set up too. Mine is just wierd because of the way I'm configured.

 

My wireless/router is the access point. I was told that that configuration works best. Should they both have the same address or a different address? I thought they came with the same address and that my problem was that they had to be slightly different since I use the "uplink ". Is that true? It's supposed to be simple. I just downloaded the manual and will spend the morning with it. It's good for me to understand it.

Thanks for your input

 

I should probably explain that I can't get anywhere once the wireless access point is hooked up to the wireless laptop. The system conflict screen comes on and everything stops. So I can't get to network ... connect.

Also, you say " Can you get to the router/access point from another computer that is wired? See what is the ssid and what channel it is on. (Are you talking about the wireless here?) Then you say "set up your wireless to have the same." I'm not sure I understand.

 

Thought I would let you know ... finally got everything working.
Had to disable the D thing ... and change the address of the accesspoint/router to match the address of the original router.

I would have been better off with just an access point.

I really love how the wireless works. Can't wait to do email by the pool next summer.

 

Thought I would let you know ... finally got everything working.
Had to disable the D thing ... and change the address of the accesspoint/router to match the address of the original router.

I would have been better off with just an access point.

I really love how the wireless works. Can't wait to do email by the pool next summer.

 

That is good! Whatever works . Gladd that you kept at it, until it did.

 

Thanks for all your help, Maggie.