Adding Wifi to wired network?

[dj619gior]

Hello,
I looked all over google and didnt find much information.

I have a wired Cable network.
There are 4 computers total 3 are online (dad,sister and me)
I want to be able to go online with my wifi enabled pda in my backyard or downstairs.
What do I need, Do I get a wireless access point router and take the lan cable out of my pc and put it in there when I want to go online?

Any info would be great.
Thank You

[Darius Wey]

You'll need a wireless router. Most feature 1 primary LAN port (which is used for plugging the router into the modem), 4 standard LAN ports (for connecting computers to the router over a wired network), and a wireless antenna for connecting wireless devices to the network. Settings are established through the router's UI - usually accessible via 192.168.0.1 (each router has specific steps to get it working - the manual will have more information).

With a setup like this, you won't need to be adding and removing cables when offline or online.

[Deemo]

You could also just get a WAP (ie Linksys WAP54G) if you aleady have a wired router.
This works better for me as my house is wired for CAT5e and the cable companies main junction is in the basement with my wiring panel.
Putting a wired router makes more sense.
I can plug the WAP anywhere in the house so I can maximise strength were I need it.
Unpluging (which I don't do) for ultimate wireless security can be done without affecting all the wired computers.
The main deciding factor is the size of your house and the position of your router relative to where you need the highest signal quality.

[dj619gior]

You could also just get a WAP (ie Linksys WAP54G) if you aleady have a wired router.
This works better for me as my house is wired for CAT5e and the cable companies main junction is in the basement with my wiring panel.
Putting a wired router makes more sense.
I can plug the WAP anywhere in the house so I can maximise strength were I need it.
Unpluging (which I don't do) for ultimate wireless security can be done without affecting all the wired computers.
The main deciding factor is the size of your house and the position of your router relative to where you need the highest signal quality.

I looked up the WAP54G, I think thats what I want to get.
So do I just unplug the lan from my computer and plug it into the wap?
And connect to 192.168.0.1, And change the security settings from my pda.

I have a Dlink router and im fammilier with that ip to open ports.

[Sven Johannsen]

We actually needed to know a bit about how you are set up to make more sense. It appears you have an internet connection that goes to your DLink Router. You have 4 PCs connected to that router (or actually to a switch that likely is also bulit into the DLink box). Hope that's right.

I assume the DLink router is set to provide IP addresses to the PCs (DHCP). The Access Point would plug into one of the switch ports on the DLink router, assuming there is one left, or if you have an external switch, that there is a port on it. The Access Point acts much like a wireless switch. Anything accessing it is applied to the network, The first thing that would happen is the new device (PPC) would ask for an address. That would wind up on the network via the AP, and the Dlink would respond, as if you hadf cabled up another PC.

So no, you don't need to unplug your PC, just plug the AP into the network behind the router (on your side).

Once that is working, you will want to encrypt he wireless part, typicaly with WEP or WPA. The router info will have info on how. That secures the over the air part, between the PPC and the AP. Doesn't do anything more for the rest of you network. You'll want to encrypt it because it appears that over 75% of folks seem to believe that if you don't they are free to use your network, and it's your fault ;)

[dj619gior]

We actually needed to know a bit about how you are set up to make more sense. It appears you have an internet connection that goes to your DLink Router. You have 4 PCs connected to that router (or actually to a switch that likely is also bulit into the DLink box). Hope that's right.

I assume the DLink router is set to provide IP addresses to the PCs (DHCP). The Access Point would plug into one of the switch ports on the DLink router, assuming there is one left, or if you have an external switch, that there is a port on it. The Access Point acts much like a wireless switch. Anything accessing it is applied to the network, The first thing that would happen is the new device (PPC) would ask for an address. That would wind up on the network via the AP, and the Dlink would respond, as if you hadf cabled up another PC.

So no, you don't need to unplug your PC, just plug the AP into the network behind the router (on your side).

Once that is working, you will want to encrypt he wireless part, typicaly with WEP or WPA. The router info will have info on how. That secures the over the air part, between the PPC and the AP. Doesn't do anything more for the rest of you network. You'll want to encrypt it because it appears that over 75% of folks seem to believe that if you don't they are free to use your network, and it's your fault ;)

Thank you that was very helpful.
So I will just leave the AP near the router instead of having the hassle of burying the lan line under the carpet like it allready is.

[Deemo]

The other thing I would do is stay with DLink if you already have the DLink router.
In Jeff Dunteman's "Drive-By Wifi" he mentions lots of issues with mixing wireless branded products - specifically those two brands.
It is probably made to be difficult on purpose.

[dj619gior]

The other thing I would do is stay with DLink if you already have the DLink router.
In Jeff Dunteman's "Drive-By Wifi" he mentions lots of issues with mixing wireless branded products - specifically those two brands.
It is probably made to be difficult on purpose.

I was thinking about that.
I just bought the Linksys WAP54G on ebay for $37 which is a steal best buy wants $80 and newegg wants like $65.
Lets just hope it works when it comes.

I will let you guys know how it works out when it arrives.

[kiwiruss]

Linksys is the brand to get in my opinion.

But Stick with the WRT54G or WRT54GS. They have more features than a WAP model for similar prices.

You can get tons of help and info here.

linksysinfo.org

[dj619gior]

My access point just arived and I pluged it in and Im online with it.
But how do I set up security on it?
I ented the ip it said to in the manual into my pda.
And it says cant find page.
I also tried my computers ipaddress since thats the line im useing.

I can access my dlink router through my pda.

[Sven Johannsen]

Check your router DHCP list. Since this is an AP, it will have picked up a address from the router and it will be listed. Try putting that in your browser address window. If there are a number of things noted, one should likely make sense, or just try each one. Likely you don't have enough things connected to make that hard. I would do this from a PC on the network BTW. Doesn't have to be one that is connected via WiFi. You'll appreciate a full window for configuring the AP.

[dj619gior]

I connected the accesspoint to a different switch and now it works fine.

[morphyuz]

i will point this out since it doesnt look like anyone else did yet (i could be wrong, i just glanced quickly through the replies)... it is usually a much better idea to connect to the configuration website with a hard cable, not via wireless. If you get stuck in your head that you can access it wirelessly (like i did), then do a hard reset on your PDA without remembering the WEP settings (like i did), then spend like an hour yelling and screaming and changing settings on your PDA (like i did) before someone laughs at you and tells you to log into it from your PC and get the settings and you smack yourself upside the head (like i did). Ok well you probably wouldnt do all that (like i did) but its funny none the less and usually a better idea.

[dj619gior]

i will point this out since it doesnt look like anyone else did yet (i could be wrong, i just glanced quickly through the replies)... it is usually a much better idea to connect to the configuration website with a hard cable, not via wireless. If you get stuck in your head that you can access it wirelessly (like i did), then do a hard reset on your PDA without remembering the WEP settings (like i did), then spend like an hour yelling and screaming and changing settings on your PDA (like i did) before someone laughs at you and tells you to log into it from your PC and get the settings and you smack yourself upside the head (like i did). Ok well you probably wouldnt do all that (like i did) but its funny none the less and usually a better idea.

ty for the info,
I never got to connect through my pda I set it up through my pc.