Bridge access points

[brockj]

Here is what I am trying to do. I have two Netgear WGR614 routers/access points, one WGE101 wireless bridge and the router supplied by Qwest for DSL service. I am trying to connect the wireless access points to each other to share the DSL service in two seperate places. From my unserstanding I needed the bridge to connect one access point to the other as they would not be able to do that on their own.

Currently I have machines being able to connect to the internet from the access point that is physically linked to the QWEST DSL router. However I cannot get a connection between devices connected on the other WAP back to the original (checked using ping, ect.) Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!

Joe

[M/Q]

Some important information is missing. What is the distance between the nodes? What is physically in between the line of sight? With that information it will be easier to determine what problems you may see. A for instance if the link is very close, then the setup should be:

1. The DSL router should be connected to the WAN port of one of the WGR614
2. The WGE101 bridge should be at the other location and connected to the wired switch portion of the other WGR614.
3. Use the DSL router to act as DHCP server, so shut it off on the WGR614's.
4. Configure the wireless SSID and WEP to be identical on all wireless nodes.
5. Use channel one on the WGR614 router downstream of the DSL connection and the WGE101 bridge
6. Use channel 11 on the WGR614 router connected to the WGE101 bridge.

[brockj]

Sorry it took so long to get back. Here is some more info. The distance between the WAPs is about 100 ft. They are both located in the ceiling, however it appears there is some block in between them.

I had everything working when they were located right next to each other, so I went to place the bridge and WAP on the other end. When I set everything up the bridge was reading 99% signal strength back to the original WAP, however I was not able to get on the internet, I restarted everything (bridge, WAPs, PC) and it could not get a signal. I have since purchased a 100 ft CAT 5 cable to place the bridge closer to the original WAP in hopes this will help. I have also followed steps 2,4,5, and 6 of your instructions. I am using a static scheme as I was able to get that to work first. The DSL is not connected to the WAN port as I was unable to get ANY connection to the internet when placed there.

I hope this information will help you help me :)

[M/Q]

I want to get this straight in my mind, you keep calling them WAP's, you are talking about the WGR614's? The DSL modem should be plugged into the WAN port. It will help with your security. If you are using a static IP addressing scheme, did you shut the DCHP off in the routers and DSL modem? Your addressing scheme maybe different than that of the one used by the DSL modem. That could be causing the problem. One other point of confusion is that you said it was working when you had it right next to each other, did that include the Internet access? How did you setup the WGR614 that is acting as the AP? You have the bridge connected to the wired switch and not the WAN port? Do you have the bridge configured to use the MAC address of the WRG614 router attached to the DSL modem?

In all honesty, if you can get the CAT5 cable to the WGR614 acting as an AP, that would be the best situation. It will work better and have more bandwidth. Just a thought. It will allow you to not use the bridge portion. I always try to get this method used.

[brockj]

I have it working! The reason I could not use the cable to connect the WGR614's is that there is block up in the ceiling tiles that prevents the wire from going form one to the other. The reason they were not connecting to each other was the abundance of metal in the ceiling. After poking around a bit up there I noticed tons of pipes and ducts running through the ceiling. I dropped the antennas through the ceiling tiles and things are working really good.

I am not sure why I could not get the DSL router to work when connected to the WAN port of one of the 614's. It just would not work. I did disable all DHCP on all devices. And I configured the static Ip's as such that there were in the same range as the DHCP was originally. I also manually assigned the default gateway to the DSL router. The reason I decided to look up in the ceiling was that when all the devices were placed within 5 feet of each other, everything was working fine. So I knew it had to be some sort of interference, I did not think that the distance was too far. In the direct vicinity of where I was setting everything up there was not much around, but in between the 614's there was alot of ducting and water pipes, so by placing the antennas sticking through the ceiling tiles, it worked.

I appreciate all your help, and know where to come if I have any more questions!! Thanks mpkn3rd!

[M/Q]

Just a little nervous, is the DSL modem using the WAN port now? It will add a huge layer of security if it is.

[brockj]

At this point in time it is not. I have been under imense pressure to get the netowork working. I will see what I can do now, under less stress.

One question about that though. The DSL modem is a router, it has 4 network ports on itself, so I am wondering if it is a huge deal that it is not connected to the WAN port on the WRG614?

[M/Q]

What is the DSL modem brand and model? Not using the downstream WAN port, is just weaker security as it bypasses the firewall.. I would prefer having a firewall and router at that location just for peace of mind. Especially if this is a business.

[brockj]

The DSL Modem/Router is a Actiontec 1520. It has wireless capabilities, but I am not using them. I am pretty sure that the Actiontec itself has a firewall. This is being used in a school setting for students to access the internet only.