how to cascade two WRT54GC

Hi
I want to make a wireless network at home, but because one WRT54GC
won't cover the whole area, I want to expand the network coverage using
another WRT54GC.

( I know I have 2 other options: a range expander or an access point
-WAP54- but both are a bit more expensive thanWRT54GC whose features
are more ).

In other words I want to turn the other router into an Access Point.
Anyone knows how to do that, or reasons why I should not use the router
to expand the coverage ?

I would set them to have the same SSID and encryption key.

-mike

"interuser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
> Hi
> I want to make a wireless network at home, but because one WRT54GC
> won't cover the whole area, I want to expand the network coverage using
> another WRT54GC.
>
> ( I know I have 2 other options: a range expander or an access point
> -WAP54- but both are a bit more expensive thanWRT54GC whose features
> are more ).
>
> In other words I want to turn the other router into an Access Point.
> Anyone knows how to do that, or reasons why I should not use the router
> to expand the coverage ?
>

Montana Mike wrote:
> I would set them to have the same SSID and encryption key.
>
> -mike
>
> "interuser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>> Hi
>> I want to make a wireless network at home, but because one WRT54GC
>> won't cover the whole area, I want to expand the network coverage using
>> another WRT54GC.
>>
>> ( I know I have 2 other options: a range expander or an access point
>> -WAP54- but both are a bit more expensive thanWRT54GC whose features
>> are more ).
>>
>> In other words I want to turn the other router into an Access Point.
>> Anyone knows how to do that, or reasons why I should not use the router
>> to expand the coverage ?
>>
>
>
Try this Linksys document;
http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...i=&p_topview=1

interuser wrote:
> Hi
> I want to make a wireless network at home, but because one WRT54GC
> won't cover the whole area, I want to expand the network coverage using
> another WRT54GC.
>
> ( I know I have 2 other options: a range expander or an access point
> -WAP54- but both are a bit more expensive thanWRT54GC whose features
> are more ).


What about external antennas? Did I read that there is an external
antenna connector (somewhat hidden) on this device? If not, I'd run a
WRT54G instead, should be compatible and definitly allows external
antenna upgrades.

Steve

The Linkysys WRT54GC out of the box will not serve your purpose.
The "C" stands for compact.
Same chipset as the current standard WRT54G ( ver 5 not as
preferrred as the previous firmware versions of the WRT54G which can
have 3rd party firmware upgrade the power output among other things).
The WRT54GC does not come with an external antenna.
The WRT54GC is meant as a compact travel router - for a hotel room for
example or a local xbox network setup.
It is a cute little router but without the external antenna ( optional)
it is meant to be only a short range
wireless router.
It is probably the same power output as a standard router but the range
is less.
The external Linksys antenna will not be cheap.
Get yourself a standard regular router as a start.
If you like Linksys products and can find a pre version 5 WRT54G that
would be even better.
The Wrt54GC router seeing that you are considering purchasing another
would just be false economy.
As I said it is a very nice little router but out of the box it is not
meant for your purpose.


seaweedsteve wrote:
> interuser wrote:
> > Hi
> > I want to make a wireless network at home, but because one WRT54GC
> > won't cover the whole area, I want to expand the network coverage using
> > another WRT54GC.
> >
> > ( I know I have 2 other options: a range expander or an access point
> > -WAP54- but both are a bit more expensive thanWRT54GC whose features
> > are more ).
>
>
> What about external antennas? Did I read that there is an external
> antenna connector (somewhat hidden) on this device? If not, I'd run a
> WRT54G instead, should be compatible and definitly allows external
> antenna upgrades.
>
> Steve

"(E-Mail Removed)" <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

I beg to differ on a few points about the WRT54GC:

>The Linkysys WRT54GC out of the box will not serve your purpose.
>The "C" stands for compact.

Nope. Stands for cheap. I got a case of them for about $20/ea and
have used them for mostly home wireless and extra access point
applications. No failures and

>Same chipset as the current standard WRT54G ( ver 5 not as
>preferrred as the previous firmware versions of the WRT54G which can
>have 3rd party firmware upgrade the power output among other things).

The WRT54GC uses a Marvell chipset. There's no 3rd party firmware
available for the chipset. I'm undecided on the quality of this
chipset. I've done no bench testing or comparative coverage testing.

>The WRT54GC does not come with an external antenna.

True. However, it does come with an RP-SMA connector on the top of
the unit for an external connector. It's really a clever mechanism,
where opening the door also raises the RP-SMA connector to extend
above the top of the router. This way, antennas with large diameter
connectors will fit. For most applications, I've found the internal
antenna to be adequate. However, I have added an external antenna
when necessary to get additional range.

>The WRT54GC is meant as a compact travel router - for a hotel room for
>example or a local xbox network setup.

Nope. As a travel router, it would require that it have an ethernet
client bridge mode so that it could be used to connect to an existing
hotel access point. That feature is missing. So is the store and
forward repeater mode missing. It's a wireless router (or access
point) and nothing more.

>It is a cute little router but without the external antenna ( optional)
>it is meant to be only a short range
>wireless router.
>It is probably the same power output as a standard router but the range
>is less.
>The external Linksys antenna will not be cheap.

The generic 2dBi RP-SMA omni antenna can be found on eBay for about
$5. They're very common. One of the foot long aftermarket antennas
is a problem because it makes the router top heavy. I tried one of
those and found that the router would tip over, even with the supplied
stand.

>Get yourself a standard regular router as a start.

Anything that passes FCC type certification, and Wi-Fi certification,
is considered "standard".

>If you like Linksys products and can find a pre version 5 WRT54G that
>would be even better.

I prefer the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 instead. There's not much difference
except that the transmitter puts out a few more milliwatts.

>The Wrt54GC router seeing that you are considering purchasing another
>would just be false economy.

It really depends on the application. So far, out of about 10 resold
or installed, none have failed to impress the customer with my level
of true economy. (Translation: I'm cheap).

http://www.linksysdata.com/ui/WRT54GC/1.02.5/Setup.htm


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Montana Mike escreveu em 12-01-2007 19:58:
> I would set them to have the same SSID and encryption key.

and disable dhcp from the secondary router
>
> -mike
>
> "interuser" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) ups.com...
>> Hi
>> I want to make a wireless network at home, but because one WRT54GC
>> won't cover the whole area, I want to expand the network coverage using
>> another WRT54GC.
>>
>> ( I know I have 2 other options: a range expander or an access point
>> -WAP54- but both are a bit more expensive thanWRT54GC whose features
>> are more ).
>>
>> In other words I want to turn the other router into an Access Point.
>> Anyone knows how to do that, or reasons why I should not use the router
>> to expand the coverage ?
>>
>
>