Adding a WI-FI connectivity to an existing wired LAN

My current setup is like the following:

D-Link DI-704 4-port DSL router is connected to 3 desktops with one
port unused.

I want to buy a notebook with a WI-FI connectivity built in.

I would like to connect a wireless connect point (WAP)to the remaining
DSL router port.

Before I buy a notebook, I would like to get all parts compatible with
one another. Which one do I need to decide first, WAP or notebook?

"QuickSand" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> My current setup is like the following:
>
> D-Link DI-704 4-port DSL router is connected to 3 desktops with one
> port unused.
>
> I want to buy a notebook with a WI-FI connectivity built in.
>
> I would like to connect a wireless connect point (WAP)to the remaining
> DSL router port.
>
> Before I buy a notebook, I would like to get all parts compatible with
> one another. Which one do I need to decide first, WAP or notebook?
>

"QuickSand" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> My current setup is like the following:
>
> D-Link DI-704 4-port DSL router is connected to 3 desktops with one
> port unused.
>
> I want to buy a notebook with a WI-FI connectivity built in.
>
> I would like to connect a wireless connect point (WAP)to the remaining
> DSL router port.
>
> Before I buy a notebook, I would like to get all parts compatible with
> one another. Which one do I need to decide first, WAP or notebook?
>

Buy them both at the same time as wireless will not work with just one. That
said, if you get the Laptop, it can be ethered in but no wireless.

>
> Before I buy a notebook, I would like to get all parts compatible with
> one another. Which one do I need to decide first, WAP or notebook?

I don't think it makes difference as to when you get them.

Duane

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 15:47:53 GMT, QuickSand <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>My current setup is like the following:
>
>D-Link DI-704 4-port DSL router is connected to 3 desktops with one
>port unused.
>
>I want to buy a notebook with a WI-FI connectivity built in.
>
>I would like to connect a wireless connect point (WAP)to the remaining
>DSL router port.
>
>Before I buy a notebook, I would like to get all parts compatible with
>one another. Which one do I need to decide first, WAP or notebook?

First, you decide what you want to do (as above).
Then, you decide how much money you want to spend on this exercise.
The dollar limit will determine what you can afford to buy.
Make sure everything will do 802.11g.

Most new notebooks come bundled with wireless of some sort. Might as
well take whatever the manufactory supplies at the client end.

Since you already have a suitable router, adding wireless can be done
in 2 ways.

1. Replace your DI-704 with a wireless router. This is probably the
easiest.

2. Convert a new wireless router into an access point and use the
existing DI-704 router. This has several advantages. The access
point can be turned off at night. The wireless part of the puzzle can
be located up high in the room to get better range.

To convert a wireless router into an access point:
1. Ignore the WAN port. Nothing goes there.
2. Set the IP address of the router to something in the same Class C
IP block as your existing DI-704 but on a non-duplcated IP address.
192.168.0.2 will do.
3. Turn off the DHCP server in the wireless router.
4. Run an ethernet cable between LAN ports on the DI-704 to the new
wireless router.
That should give you an instant access point.

Good luck.

--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831.336.2558 voice http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
# http://802.11junk.com
# (E-Mail Removed)
# (E-Mail Removed) AE6KS

QuickSand wrote:

> I want to buy a notebook with a WI-FI connectivity built in.
>
> I would like to connect a wireless connect point (WAP)to the remaining
> DSL router port.
>
> Before I buy a notebook, I would like to get all parts compatible with
> one another. Which one do I need to decide first, WAP or notebook?

I've just done this: my existing network is a one-port DSL router and a
four-port switch with a web server wired in.

802.11g is a standard, so components *should* work together.
"Extensions" to the spec such as WPA-PSK (AES) encryption may not be
supported by both units, but you should at least have 128-bit WEP (for
what that's worth...) as a common denominator.

I bought a Belkin WAP and plugged it into my switch; and bought an HP
nx6110 laptop with Intel wireless. Works perfectly.

--
Mark.
http://tranchant.plus.com/