Router or Access Point?

I have a small home network with a wired router that has a serial port
for internet access via a dial-up modem that I use. (It also has a
standard broadband port that I don't use.) I would like to add
wireless capability to my network. I have found that the difference in
price between a wireless access point and a wireless router is small.
For example, a D-Link DWL-900AP+ wireless access point goes for about
$62 while a D-Link DI-614+ wireless router goes for about $70. Not
enough difference to matter. Question: Could the router be used in the
same way as the access point? I know that routers can be connected
together to expand an existing network, but I don't know about using a
router as an access point. Can someone discuss the pros and cons
regarding the use of a router versus an access point in this case?

Regards, jimbo

Theoretically, any wireless router can be configured as a WAP. You'd need
to check the tech specs for the particular router you're looking at. Buying
one (a router instead of a WAP) would be wise for another reason - it would
provide backup to your router if it ever failed, or could replace your
router entirely if you put the router up in its simple-switch mode.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (E-Mail Removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"jimbo" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> I have a small home network with a wired router that has a serial port
> for internet access via a dial-up modem that I use. (It also has a
> standard broadband port that I don't use.) I would like to add
> wireless capability to my network. I have found that the difference in
> price between a wireless access point and a wireless router is small.
> For example, a D-Link DWL-900AP+ wireless access point goes for about
> $62 while a D-Link DI-614+ wireless router goes for about $70. Not
> enough difference to matter. Question: Could the router be used in the
> same way as the access point? I know that routers can be connected
> together to expand an existing network, but I don't know about using a
> router as an access point. Can someone discuss the pros and cons
> regarding the use of a router versus an access point in this case?
>
> Regards, jimbo

I completely agree with Richard on this. Replace your current router with a
wireless router and keep the old router for emergencies...

Carey

"Richard G. Harper" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Theoretically, any wireless router can be configured as a WAP. You'd need
> to check the tech specs for the particular router you're looking at.
Buying
> one (a router instead of a WAP) would be wise for another reason - it
would
> provide backup to your router if it ever failed, or could replace your
> router entirely if you put the router up in its simple-switch mode.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (E-Mail Removed)
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "jimbo" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > I have a small home network with a wired router that has a serial port
> > for internet access via a dial-up modem that I use. (It also has a
> > standard broadband port that I don't use.) I would like to add
> > wireless capability to my network. I have found that the difference in
> > price between a wireless access point and a wireless router is small.
> > For example, a D-Link DWL-900AP+ wireless access point goes for about
> > $62 while a D-Link DI-614+ wireless router goes for about $70. Not
> > enough difference to matter. Question: Could the router be used in the
> > same way as the access point? I know that routers can be connected
> > together to expand an existing network, but I don't know about using a
> > router as an access point. Can someone discuss the pros and cons
> > regarding the use of a router versus an access point in this case?
> >
> > Regards, jimbo
>
>

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Carey Holzman"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> "jimbo" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
>> > I have a small home network with a wired router that has a serial port
>> > for internet access via a dial-up modem that I use. (It also has a
>> > standard broadband port that I don't use.) I would like to add
>> > wireless capability to my network. I have found that the difference in
>> > price between a wireless access point and a wireless router is small.
>> > For example, a D-Link DWL-900AP+ wireless access point goes for about
>> > $62 while a D-Link DI-614+ wireless router goes for about $70. Not
>> > enough difference to matter. Question: Could the router be used in the
>> > same way as the access point? I know that routers can be connected
>> > together to expand an existing network, but I don't know about using a
>> > router as an access point. Can someone discuss the pros and cons
>> > regarding the use of a router versus an access point in this case?
>>
>>Theoretically, any wireless router can be configured as a WAP. You'd need
>>to check the tech specs for the particular router you're looking at.
>>Buying one (a router instead of a WAP) would be wise for another reason - it
>>would provide backup to your router if it ever failed, or could replace your
>>router entirely if you put the router up in its simple-switch mode.
>
>I completely agree with Richard on this. Replace your current router with a
>wireless router and keep the old router for emergencies...
>
>Carey

If I understand your setup, Jimbo, you can't replace your current
wired router with the DI-614+ or most other wireless routers. Your
dial-up Internet connection requires a router with a serial port for
connecting an external dial-up modem and Dial-Up Networking software
for connecting to your ISP. The DI-614+ doesn't have that. Your
wired router does.

Since the prices are so similar, I'd get a wireless router, not a
wireless access point. Here are two possibilities:

1. Replace your wired router with a wireless router, like the SMC
7004AWBR, that has a serial port and DUN software.

2. Use the DI-614+ or other wireless router as an access point only:

a. Connect a computer to the wireless router.
b. Access the wireless router's built-in web server.
c. Disable the wireless router's DHCP server.
d. Set the wireless router's LAN IP address to the same subnet that
the wired router uses.
e. Connect the wireless router to one of the wired router's
LAN ports.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "Steve
Winograd [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>[snip]
>2. Use the DI-614+ or other wireless router as an access point only:
>
> a. Connect a computer to the wireless router.
> b. Access the wireless router's built-in web server.
> c. Disable the wireless router's DHCP server.
> d. Set the wireless router's LAN IP address to the same subnet that
> the wired router uses.
> e. Connect the wireless router to one of the wired router's
> LAN ports.

I should clarify item 2e: Connect one of the wireless router's LAN
ports to the wired router's uplink LAN port. Don't connect anything
to the wireless router's WAN (Internet) port.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm

"Steve Winograd [MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>
> If I understand your setup, Jimbo, you can't replace your current
> wired router with the DI-614+ or most other wireless routers. Your
> dial-up Internet connection requires a router with a serial port for
> connecting an external dial-up modem and Dial-Up Networking software
> for connecting to your ISP. The DI-614+ doesn't have that. Your
> wired router does.>

> Best Wishes,
> Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Yes, that is my exact situation regarding the need for a serial modem
port on the router. I have looked at the SMC7004AWBR but there are so
many bad reviews that I have been scared off. That is the only
wireless router that I have been able to find at rreasonable cost that
has the serial modem port. Any suggestions regarding a wireless router
with a serial modem port would be appreciated.

Thanbks for the replies and helpful information.

jimbo