Wireless Network Trouble

Groz · 02-14-2007, 10:16 PM

I had a wired network with several PC's hanging off of it. I decided I needed a wireless component. My DSL modem was in a corner of my house and I wanted the wireless component closer to the outdoor patio. So I bought a wireless router and hooked it up as a switch. It took a while to configure but my son finally got it.

All was fine until my wife bought a WII. She decided the wireless network was to slow and started fidling with the router (turned switch) configuration.

Now nothing can connect wirelessly. The router-turned-switch still works for wired connections. My laptop can detect the network but it can't renew the IP address. The WII can't connect either.

My son is away at college and says he will fix it next time he is home on break. But I'll have to put up with my wife complaining about not being able to access WII stuff untill then. Not to mention that my laptop now has to be wired.

I'd like to get this fixed ASAP. Any ideas?

**JamesO** · 02-15-2007, 06:06 AM

To use a wireless router as a switch/wireless access point, you need to do the following.

1. Change the router #2 IP address to something outside of the DHCP range of your main router. If you have an IP address if 192.168.0.x, use 192.168.0.254. If you have an IP address of 192.168.1.x, use 192.168.1.254. This will allow you to still manage the switch/access point using the 192.168.x.254 web address.

2. Once the address is changed, enter router #2 (now switch/wireless access point) using the new IP address and turn off DHCP.

3. Connect router #2 (the switch/wireless access point) only by a LAN connection to your network, do not use the WAN connection at all.

4. Make sure your wireless SSID and security is enabled for you needs.

JamesO

02-14-2007, 10:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Groz Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1 OS: Windows XP Home	Wireless Network Trouble I had a wired network with several PC's hanging off of it. I decided I needed a wireless component. My DSL modem was in a corner of my house and I wanted the wireless component closer to the outdoor patio. So I bought a wireless router and hooked it up as a switch. It took a while to configure but my son finally got it. All was fine until my wife bought a WII. She decided the wireless network was to slow and started fidling with the router (turned switch) configuration. Now nothing can connect wirelessly. The router-turned-switch still works for wired connections. My laptop can detect the network but it can't renew the IP address. The WII can't connect either. My son is away at college and says he will fix it next time he is home on break. But I'll have to put up with my wife complaining about not being able to access WII stuff untill then. Not to mention that my laptop now has to be wired. I'd like to get this fixed ASAP. Any ideas?

02-15-2007, 06:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	To use a wireless router as a switch/wireless access point, you need to do the following. 1. Change the router #2 IP address to something outside of the DHCP range of your main router. If you have an IP address if 192.168.0.x, use 192.168.0.254. If you have an IP address of 192.168.1.x, use 192.168.1.254. This will allow you to still manage the switch/access point using the 192.168.x.254 web address. 2. Once the address is changed, enter router #2 (now switch/wireless access point) using the new IP address and turn off DHCP. 3. Connect router #2 (the switch/wireless access point) only by a LAN connection to your network, do not use the WAN connection at all. 4. Make sure your wireless SSID and security is enabled for you needs. JamesO