Repeater, well, kinda anyway question

Have several pieces of wireless hardware left from various upgrades;

1 Senao 3220 wireless B/G currently using as my Access Point
1 Senao wireless B Access Point/Bridge
2 Dlink 900AP+ Access Points/Bridges

I'd like to setup the Senao wireless B as a point to point bridge,
wirelessly connected to the Senao G Access Point, and connect the bridge
with Cat5 to one of the Dlinks, which would be setup as an Access Point,
to connect wirelessly with the other 900AP, which would be setup as a
client. This would give me a repeater function, but faster since I'd
have two radios to pass the data.

My main question is, could the Senao bridge/Dlink access point cat5
connection be direct, perhaps with a crossover cable, or would I need a
switch or hub in between? Or will this all work at all?

On Sun, 30 Jul 2006 00:07:57 -0500, Airman Thunderbird
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed)>:

>Have several pieces of wireless hardware left from various upgrades;
>
>1 Senao 3220 wireless B/G currently using as my Access Point
>1 Senao wireless B Access Point/Bridge
>2 Dlink 900AP+ Access Points/Bridges
>
>I'd like to setup the Senao wireless B as a point to point bridge,
>wirelessly connected to the Senao G Access Point, and connect the bridge
>with Cat5 to one of the Dlinks, which would be setup as an Access Point,
>to connect wirelessly with the other 900AP, which would be setup as a
>client. This would give me a repeater function, but faster since I'd
>have two radios to pass the data.
>
>My main question is, could the Senao bridge/Dlink access point cat5
>connection be direct, perhaps with a crossover cable, or would I need a
>switch or hub in between? Or will this all work at all?

Crossover cable.

--
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Airman Thunderbird <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>Have several pieces of wireless hardware left from various upgrades;
>
>1 Senao 3220 wireless B/G currently using as my Access Point
>1 Senao wireless B Access Point/Bridge
>2 Dlink 900AP+ Access Points/Bridges
>
>I'd like to setup the Senao wireless B as a point to point bridge,
>wirelessly connected to the Senao G Access Point, and connect the bridge
>with Cat5 to one of the Dlinks, which would be setup as an Access Point,
>to connect wirelessly with the other 900AP, which would be setup as a
>client. This would give me a repeater function, but faster since I'd
>have two radios to pass the data.
>
>My main question is, could the Senao bridge/Dlink access point cat5
>connection be direct, perhaps with a crossover cable, or would I need a
>switch or hub in between? Or will this all work at all?

It should work. I have a similar repeater assembled from two
DWL-900AP+ radios. The cable between them is an ethernet crossover
cable. Watch the lights on the front panels. If they fail to light
up, you goofed on the wiring.

However, there are some things to watch out for:

1. Make sure you setup the IP addresses on the repeater radios so
that you don't duplicate the IP addresses. In fact, I would make both
of them something other than the default so that you can reset them
without creating a conflict. Something like 192.168.0.10 and
192.168.0.11.

2. The repeater radios MUST be on different non-overlapping channels.
It will function if they're both on the same channel, but you'll see
only half the thruput. If the antennas can see each other and are
close together, you'll get interference no matter what channel you
select. I suggest 1 and 11 for each radio, and to make an effort to
keep the antennas seperated or directional in opposite directions.

3. The DWL-900AP+ has some quirks. Turn off the 4x mode and set the
maximum TX rate to 11Mbits/sec, not 22Mbits/sec. Some models have
both an external and internal antenna in the box. I think the
external antenna is the "left" antenna, but try both to be sure.
http://support.dlink.com/emulators/d...v_perform.html

4. I'll assume you're aware that only the DWL-900AP+ rev E1 can act
as a repeater. Although you're not using this mode, if you decide to
try it, be advised that it's not very compatible with other access
points and clients. The only one's I've been able to make work are
other routers with Texas Instruments chipsets. This is not a problem
in access point, bridge, or client mode.

5. Be sure to test the setup in one room before deploying. There are
all kinds of weird timing issues that will slow things down. If
everything is working absolutely perfectly (it never does), you should
get about 4.5Mbits/sec maximum TCP thruput at 11Mbits/sec.

--
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

Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> 4. I'll assume you're aware that only the DWL-900AP+ rev E1 can
> act as a repeater. Although you're not using this mode, if you
> decide to try it, be advised that it's not very compatible with
> other access points and clients. The only one's I've been able to
> make work are other routers with Texas Instruments chipsets. This
> is not a problem in access point, bridge, or client mode.

Jeff's advice is otherwise good, but:
- I'm not aware of a Rev E1. Certainly Rev B1, C1, C2 work in
Repeater mode with current firmware. But stick to the Rev C devices
since they have a faster CPU.

- I have successfully used the DWL-900AP+ to repeat non-TI based kit,
including other D-Link APs as well as Linksys, Netgear and BT branded
devices

- if you do have problems (although as Jeff says, you would not be
using the device in Repeater mode) you can - as I guess you are aware
and as Jeff alludes to - create a vendor-neutral repeater by
connecting two DWL-900AP+s back-to-back, one configured as a wireless
client, the other as an AP. Works just fine, and as the device has
two radios does not suffer (quite) the same throughput loss as a
single radio repeater

I *like* the DWL-900AP+. I use and have installed many. Thoroughly
reliable - I regard it as one of D-Link's (well, Global Sun
Technology's) better products. Pity it's at end-of-life...

Hope this helps

--

Richard Perkin
To email me, change the AT in the address below
richard.perkinATmyrealbox.com

It's is not, it isn't ain't, and it's it's, not its, if you mean it
is. If you don't, it's its. Then too, it's hers. It isn't her's.
It isn't our's either. It's ours, and likewise yours and theirs.
-- Oxford University Press, Edpress News

Richard Perkin <(E-Mail Removed)> hath wroth:

>- I'm not aware of a Rev E1. Certainly Rev B1, C1, C2 work in
>Repeater mode with current firmware. But stick to the Rev C devices
>since they have a faster CPU.

Sorry. I couldn't recall the exact revision letter and guessed.
However, I wasn't aware that the repeater function was in the B1
revision. I thought it was only in the C1 and later.

>- I have successfully used the DWL-900AP+ to repeat non-TI based kit,
>including other D-Link APs as well as Linksys, Netgear and BT branded
>devices

Not me. The usual problem is that it connects, handshakes, spends a
long time getting a DHCP IP lease, and then proceeds to move traffic
in a jerky and erratic manner. I can improve things somewhat by
locking the speeds of the access points to 2Mbits/sec or 5.5Mbits/sec,
but never seem to get more than about half the expected speed. For
example, in store and forward at 5.5Mbits/sec, I should get about
2Mbits/sec TCP thruput. The best I could do is perhaps 0.25 to
0.5Mbits/sec.

What inspired the back to back DWL-900AP+ repeater was this erratic
operation. As soon as it was deployed as a replacement for the then
existing DWL-900AP+ repeater, my thruput went to about 1.0 to 2.5
Mbits/sec at wireless 5.5Mbits/s speed, which is about what would be
expected. The lower speeds are due to local RF interference from
other client radios.

>- if you do have problems (although as Jeff says, you would not be
>using the device in Repeater mode) you can - as I guess you are aware
>and as Jeff alludes to - create a vendor-neutral repeater by
>connecting two DWL-900AP+s back-to-back, one configured as a wireless
>client, the other as an AP. Works just fine, and as the device has
>two radios does not suffer (quite) the same throughput loss as a
>single radio repeater

Do you recall if the DWL-900AP+ in client mode will bridge more than
one MAC address? I think it will, but I'm not sure. I have no easy
way to check right now.

>I *like* the DWL-900AP+.

Me too, execept in repeat mode. Incidentally, I recently upgraded
some wireless bridges from 802.11b at 5.5Mbits/sec to 802.11g at
approx 24Mbits/sec. I now have 4 more DWL-900AP+ radios.
Unfortunately, I can't use them until the replacement installs are
finished.

>I use and have installed many. Thoroughly
>reliable - I regard it as one of D-Link's (well, Global Sun
>Technology's) better products. Pity it's at end-of-life...

Yep. See:
http://www.vallstedt-networks.de/?vendors/GST_Vendors

--
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

Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Do you recall if the DWL-900AP+ in client mode will bridge more
> than one MAC address? I think it will, but I'm not sure. I have
> no easy way to check right now.
Yes, it will.

My network is largely constructed like that, with small 'clusters' of
devices (typically 2 PCs, 1 printserver) behind a switch, with a DWL-
900AP+ in client mode connected to the switch to provide the link
back to a wireless router. For teenage sons, add a games console as
well. It all works just fine and avoids having a wireless card for
each PC.

I'm still looking for a current-spec device to replace the excellent,
but obsolescent, DWL-900AP+ clients in this topology - but I've not
(yet) found anything worthwhile. Unless you know better, of course...

Kind regards

--

Richard Perkin
To email me, change the AT in the address below
richard.perkinATmyrealbox.com

It's is not, it isn't ain't, and it's it's, not its, if you mean it
is. If you don't, it's its. Then too, it's hers. It isn't her's.
It isn't our's either. It's ours, and likewise yours and theirs.
-- Oxford University Press, Edpress News

Never had much luck setting up the 900APs as repeater. That's why I
thought I'd try this weird arrangement.

Figured using the Senao B to bridge to the Senao B/G access point would
work better.

Then hard wire the Dlink access point to the Senao bridge and set the
other Dlink as a client to it.

I like the 900AP+ also, especially since I came upon a later (3.10)
firmware than was released on Dlinks U.S. site. Been rock solid since
then. The Senaos have better range, though.


Richard Perkin wrote:
> Jeff Liebermann <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:(E-Mail Removed):
>
>> 4. I'll assume you're aware that only the DWL-900AP+ rev E1 can
>> act as a repeater. Although you're not using this mode, if you
>> decide to try it, be advised that it's not very compatible with
>> other access points and clients. The only one's I've been able to
>> make work are other routers with Texas Instruments chipsets. This
>> is not a problem in access point, bridge, or client mode.
>
> Jeff's advice is otherwise good, but:
> - I'm not aware of a Rev E1. Certainly Rev B1, C1, C2 work in
> Repeater mode with current firmware. But stick to the Rev C devices
> since they have a faster CPU.
>
> - I have successfully used the DWL-900AP+ to repeat non-TI based kit,
> including other D-Link APs as well as Linksys, Netgear and BT branded
> devices
>
> - if you do have problems (although as Jeff says, you would not be
> using the device in Repeater mode) you can - as I guess you are aware
> and as Jeff alludes to - create a vendor-neutral repeater by
> connecting two DWL-900AP+s back-to-back, one configured as a wireless
> client, the other as an AP. Works just fine, and as the device has
> two radios does not suffer (quite) the same throughput loss as a
> single radio repeater
>
> I *like* the DWL-900AP+. I use and have installed many. Thoroughly
> reliable - I regard it as one of D-Link's (well, Global Sun
> Technology's) better products. Pity it's at end-of-life...
>
> Hope this helps
>

Airman Thunderbird <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> I like the 900AP+ also, especially since I came upon a later
> (3.10) firmware than was released on Dlinks U.S. site. Been rock
> solid since then. The Senaos have better range, though.

I'm running 3.10 on all my Rev C devices. This firmware was
originally on the D-Link Germany site, but was later pulled. It can
still be found on the D-Link Italy FTP server, but I've never seen it
anywhere else.

Confusingly, the so-called 'current' release (3.09b6) has a later
date than 3.10 but reading the associated Release Notes doesn't
provide any clarity...

As far as 'rock solid' goes, I've generally been pleased with 3.10 -
but there is a regular (if momentary) disconnection every 80 min in
client mode. This can be observed in the log, but does not have any
noticeable effect on operation.

Hope this helps

--

Richard Perkin
To email me, change the AT in the address below
richard.perkinATmyrealbox.com

It's is not, it isn't ain't, and it's it's, not its, if you mean it
is. If you don't, it's its. Then too, it's hers. It isn't her's.
It isn't our's either. It's ours, and likewise yours and theirs.
-- Oxford University Press, Edpress News