Access Point or AP/Router added to/Replace Wired Router

Hi,

after several days of reading up on wireless options, I have finally
dulurked to ask a question.

I currently have a Wired router (Linksys BEFSR41) connected to my cable
modem, and linked to 2 pc's.
After all the reading I have decided that I either want to get a AP (eg:
Linksys WAP54G) and add this to one of the ports of my existing router OR
buy a new router with wireless built in (eg: Linksys WRT54G) to replace my
existing router. I currently plan to have 2 wireless clients attached.

I understand (from my avid reading up) that each option has pro's and con's.

The AP & AP/Router cost the same, but (apparently) the router lacks some of
the features (bridging?) in the wireless department that the AP has. What
are these and what do they allow you to do?

The AP/Router option will give me an updated router but are the features any
better on the new device than my old device?

I also note that the AP option will give me the freedom to place the
reciever more easily.


Any help / advice would be most gratefully received.

Ian

My setup right now is an older BEFSR41 connected to a BEFW11S4. The
wireless router is setup per Linksys' instructions at
http://makeashorterlink.com/?E2FB35A75

Several people on here have noted that the routers seem to be a bit less
expensive than the standalone APs. I don't know if that's true. I had
different reasons for buying the wireless router.

The bottom line is that it works great for me and I gained some extra switch
ports (on the wireless router).


Bob

"Ian Ensell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bgj5hh$p1tch$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> after several days of reading up on wireless options, I have finally
> dulurked to ask a question.
>
> I currently have a Wired router (Linksys BEFSR41) connected to my cable
> modem, and linked to 2 pc's.
> After all the reading I have decided that I either want to get a AP (eg:
> Linksys WAP54G) and add this to one of the ports of my existing router OR
> buy a new router with wireless built in (eg: Linksys WRT54G) to replace my
> existing router. I currently plan to have 2 wireless clients attached.
>
> I understand (from my avid reading up) that each option has pro's and
con's.
>
> The AP & AP/Router cost the same, but (apparently) the router lacks some
of
> the features (bridging?) in the wireless department that the AP has. What
> are these and what do they allow you to do?
>
> The AP/Router option will give me an updated router but are the features
any
> better on the new device than my old device?
>
> I also note that the AP option will give me the freedom to place the
> reciever more easily.
>
>
> Any help / advice would be most gratefully received.
>
> Ian
>
>

"Ian Ensell" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bgj5hh$p1tch$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi,
>
> after several days of reading up on wireless options, I have finally
> dulurked to ask a question.
>
> I currently have a Wired router (Linksys BEFSR41) connected to my cable
> modem, and linked to 2 pc's.
> After all the reading I have decided that I either want to get a AP (eg:
> Linksys WAP54G) and add this to one of the ports of my existing router OR
> buy a new router with wireless built in (eg: Linksys WRT54G) to replace my
> existing router. I currently plan to have 2 wireless clients attached.
>
> I understand (from my avid reading up) that each option has pro's and
con's.
>
> The AP & AP/Router cost the same, but (apparently) the router lacks some
of
> the features (bridging?) in the wireless department that the AP has. What
> are these and what do they allow you to do?
>
> The AP/Router option will give me an updated router but are the features
any
> better on the new device than my old device?
>
> I also note that the AP option will give me the freedom to place the
> reciever more easily.
>
>
> Any help / advice would be most gratefully received.
>
> Ian
>
I tried to replace a router with a wireless router and had major issues with
location. I returned it and went for an AP which was much easier to locate
for effective coverage. If you have a router now then you have a wired
network which gives you flexibility with placing an AP. Buy whichever from
someone who will let you return it for another product or brand with no
restocking charges whether it is defective or just unsatisfactory. I settled
on DLink 900AP+ and Orinoco Silver cards. Running since December 02 with no
resets or glitches. Recovers on it's own after power outages.

Bill Brannon