Linksys WET11 coniguration problems

I've had a Linksys WAP11 for some time now working with PCMCIA cards, and
USB
adapters. No problems.

I purchased a Linksys WET11 (wireless ethernet bridge) the other day, and
went through a bunch of crap to try to configure it to no avail, so I
exchanged it anfd got a new one. Same problems. I'll explain what's
happening and I hope someone can help me out. I don;'t think I've been
unlucky enough to have two faulty WET11's; but who knows.


Here's what's been happening:

I connect the device directly to my PC's network card (switch in the X
position), and Linksys' setup wizard finds the device. I go through the
wizard configuring the proper SSID, IP address/subnet/gateway etc etc etc.
When it comes time to commit the changes, I click YES. The wizard pauses for
sometime, then returns this error:

"WET11 not response, please set again."

That's not my bad English, that's exactly what the error says.

The interesting thing is that the device actually does receive the changes
to the network settings, because if I try to set them again, the initial
values are already what I want them to be.

The same problems occur if I connect the WET11 to my hub (with the switch in
the || position) or if I plug it into the uplink port of my hub (switch in
the X position).

Here are some more technical observations that may help.

If I set the device to get an IP from my DHCP server (a FreeBSD host on my
wired network) it will actually be able to obtain a lease. I can see that
the DHCP server has properly logged the device's MAC address and the IP
address it was assigned. Below I show the output from the dhcp lease file,
you should recognize that MAC
address as a linksys device. After that I show how I'm not able to arp the
IP address, which tells me that the device is still not physically on the
network.

lease 10.242.96.252 {
starts 4 2003/09/04 00:52:56;
ends 5 2003/09/05 16:52:56;
binding state active;
next binding state free;
hardware ethernet 00:06:25:11:cf:4b;
}

[kmcchag@spire:~]$ arp 10.242.96.252
? (10.242.96.252) at (incomplete) on vx1 [ethernet]

In cases like this I usually blame the network cable, but I've tried
several.

Furthermore, I mentioned above that the device is already configured with my
wireless network's SSID. Therefore, should it not be trying to associate
with my wireless access point? I see no log of any connection attempts. I've
already set the WAP11 to accept this device's MAC address. It's simply not
even trying.

So have I been cursed with two bad ethernet bridges, or am I doing something
wrong. Hope someone can help me out.

Thanks.

KMc.

Couple of suggestions regarding the WET11:

1) Assign a static IP address to it. Life will be easier.

2) If possible, assign static IP's to the devices that will connect via the
WET11

3) If your connecting multiple devices via a hub/switch to the WET11,
suggest you use a 10 Mbps hub/switch and NOT a 10/100 Mbps.

I've got multiple WET11's on a single net that's been in use over a year
without problems. I did have a bad WET11 at the start but swapped it out.

I've also found it helpful (when things are going bad) to configure the
network in smaller stages vs. "the big bang theory".

You might consider just getting the WET11 talking back to the AP first.
Kill all the WEP, MAC filtering, etc.
Assign a static IP on the AP and WET11 and get them to work. Then add MAC
filtering and finally WEP. Works for me. YMMV.

| You might consider just getting the WET11 talking back to the AP first.
| Kill all the WEP, MAC filtering, etc.
| Assign a static IP on the AP and WET11 and get them to work. Then add MAC
| filtering and finally WEP. Works for me. YMMV.


Thanks. I've gotten over most of the hurdles in terms of getting the WET11
configured, and getting the web GUI up. It still won't connect to my AP
though. I see no long of it even trying. It's like the wireless signal's off
on the WET11 or something.

Has this ever happened in your experience?

Thanks again.

KMc.

Jim, I found this very interesting and have one question for you. If I
understand correctly that the WET11 allows connection between two
network via wirelessly. I really want to be sure before I shopping
around for my project.

Basically, I wanted to connect two networks (mainly for internet
sharing).
LAN-1 : WinXP with MR814 wireless router, another WixXP wired to same
router.

??? WHAT DO I NEED HERE IN ORDER TO ASSOCIATE LAN-2 TO LAN-1 ?????
ANY HW/SW ?

LAN-2 : W2K with wireless USB adapter, Win98SE currently unable to
connect(or should say unable to access to internet via W2K).

I have read ME101, WET11, WAP11, DWL900AP posting, the more I read,
the more confuse ! On LAN-2, does another router, a hub or a switch
is required ? I sort the know they are somehow different. On LAN-1,
the MR814 is currently running in Infrastructure mode.


"Jim \(MI\)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<0yF7b.531$(E-Mail Removed) nk.net>...
> Couple of suggestions regarding the WET11:
>
> 1) Assign a static IP address to it. Life will be easier.
>
> 2) If possible, assign static IP's to the devices that will connect via the
> WET11
>
> 3) If your connecting multiple devices via a hub/switch to the WET11,
> suggest you use a 10 Mbps hub/switch and NOT a 10/100 Mbps.
>
> I've got multiple WET11's on a single net that's been in use over a year
> without problems. I did have a bad WET11 at the start but swapped it out.
>
> I've also found it helpful (when things are going bad) to configure the
> network in smaller stages vs. "the big bang theory".
>
> You might consider just getting the WET11 talking back to the AP first.
> Kill all the WEP, MAC filtering, etc.
> Assign a static IP on the AP and WET11 and get them to work. Then add MAC
> filtering and finally WEP. Works for me. YMMV.

Nice4 - regarding connecting LAN 2 back to LAN 1 and sharing the internet:

From what your described thus far your 2nd machine (Win2K with wireless USB)
should be able to connect back to the MR814. As a test you might consider
configuring the Win2K machine with a static IP address. Make sure it's on
the same network as your MR814 and that you've got the gateway IP and DNS
info setup also.

If you choose to not use with wireless USB device you can go to the WET11.

While the WET11 will support multiple IP connections back to the MR814, it
only has a single RJ45 ethernet jack. If your only connecting the Win2K
machine (and assuming it's got a ethernet card with RJ45 connection), that's
all you'll need.

If you want to connect more than one computer, then you'll need a small
hub/switch. All your PC's and the WET11 will connect to the hub. I picked a
small 8 port 3-com hub (10Mps) for $10 off ebay.

Hope this helps - let me know.

Jim

"Jim \(MI\)" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<5V_7b.163$(E-Mail Removed) nk.net>...
> Nice4 - regarding connecting LAN 2 back to LAN 1 and sharing the internet:
>
> From what your described thus far your 2nd machine (Win2K with wireless USB)
> should be able to connect back to the MR814. As a test you might consider
> configuring the Win2K machine with a static IP address. Make sure it's on
> the same network as your MR814 and that you've got the gateway IP and DNS
> info setup also.
>
> If you choose to not use with wireless USB device you can go to the WET11.
>
> While the WET11 will support multiple IP connections back to the MR814, it
> only has a single RJ45 ethernet jack. If your only connecting the Win2K
> machine (and assuming it's got a ethernet card with RJ45 connection), that's
> all you'll need.
>
> If you want to connect more than one computer, then you'll need a small
> hub/switch. All your PC's and the WET11 will connect to the hub. I picked a
> small 8 port 3-com hub (10Mps) for $10 off ebay.
>
> Hope this helps - let me know.
>
> Jim
Jim, Excellent. So WET11 can provide muti IP connections to the MR814,
this will answer 90% of my concerns. A hub is easy (btw, is a normal
router without using the WAN port acts like a hub?, a switch ?).

Whole thing looks very good at this point. From the hub, can we run
another wireless AP which will pick up more wireless connections for
internet sharing as long as they are all under the scope of MR814's
DHCP ? I know this last add AP must using different channel, SSID...so
on to ensure it will not cross with the MR814.

Other than WET11, do I have other option(s) for a wireless bridge
device ? Heard 900AP+, ME101 can provide similar functionality as
WET11, Is this true ?

Thanks and this is great help...Nice4