Access point behind two routers

[dsheets]

I've got at wired firewall/router. Sitting behind that is a wireless router (2nd router). I have an Linksys WAP11 access point on the LAN to provide additional coverage are for my wireless notebook.

The problem is that when I connect via the access point I can't get to the Internet or ping the wireless router. All is fine when connected to the wireless router.

The WAP11 works if it has only one router between it and the Internet.

Anybody out there have any suggestions???

[M/Q]

Welcome to the forum.

There maybe a couple of issues involved with the network topology. First are you using the wireless router just as a wireless node? Second, what kind of cable are you using to connect the wireless router to the firewall/router?

If you are just using the wireless router as a wireless node, then your problem might be that you have the cable from the firewall/router plugged into the Internet/WAN port on the wireless router. It should be plugged into one of the 4 ports of the integrated switch. The type of cable is also important if you are running from switch port to switch port, it may need to be a cross over style or if one or the other switches has an up link port that needs to be used.

Also once again if the wireless router is just being used as a wireless node all the router setup should be disabled, especially the DHCP and routing protocols. Let us know if this helps.

[dsheets]

I have tried four different routers and two different access points as well as two of the routers configured as you mention as strictly a wireless node. The symptoms remain the same.

I've got a .pdf file that shows a diagram of my network topology and IP addressing scheme. Is there any way to get it to you?

Sounds like you could fix my problem.

Let me know and I can send the .pdf file to you.

Thanks for helping...

[M/Q]

Sent you a PM. Did you try the suggestions I made about where the cables are plugged in? And do you have the correct cables?

[dsheets]

All cables are patch cables, not cross over. The switches do not have an uplink port/button. The reason I know it's not a cable issues is that if I connect the notebook via Etherent to the access point everything is fine. It's stricly the wireless connection to the access point that can't ping the LAN side of the internal router, resolve names or get out to the Internet.

When using one of the wireless routers as an access point I was sure to connect to the LAN side and to disable DHCP. I have a Linksys WAP11 access point and used my Company's DLink access point. Same issue.

The drawing would help if there is a way of sending it to you...

Thanks for helping out.

[M/Q]

I got your network layout. I am first curious as to why you have the double router setup? Is there some sort of network with computers using the 192.168.4.X subnet? It appears that you have all the subnetting correct. Are the wired computers working correctly? It looks like you are using DHCP, can you get to a command prompt and try the ipconfig /all command on the wireless notebook as well as one of the wired computers on the 192.168.1.X subnet? Then publish the logs here, please.

What is the physical relationship between the AP and wireless router, and are they on the same channel or separate ones. If not what are the channels? If they are one the same channel, that might be a problem as they could be interfering with each other. Also how is the AP configured static IP addr or DHCP? Can you ping the AP from one of the wired computers?

[M/Q]

First one problem is that you are using channels that are too close to each other and will cause interference. You should be using 1 and 11 to get the most separation possible. That most likely is not the whole reason, but it will help increase the bandwidth and should be done correctly.

Second, I am still unsure of one thing. When you mention that you connect to the AP via a cable you can get to the Internet. That means to me that the AP is set to bridge mode rather than AP mode. Otherwise you would not be able to connect that way. The AP is basically acting as a wireless adapter for you. When in that mode it will not accept traffic or links from any other wireless nodes, other than the one it is bridged to. That might be the problem you are encountering. Also when in AP mode you may need to make sure the AP has the correct default gateway. If I understand you correctly, this network with two subnets works just fine in every manner when you use the wired connections? Is that a fair assessment? The you need to post the ipconfig /all of a working and non working system here. Just cut and paste it in the post.