Saving $$ using Routers

Hello All,

Here is my plight..

I'm trying to save some money. Sounds good right? We all "try."

Recently, at my local CompUSA store they ran a great rebate offer for many
Linksys products. So I bought a whole bunch of stuff, namely 3 WRT54GS's,
the Wireless-G Broadband Router.

What I want (wanted) to do was wirelessly connect a preexisting wired
network in my office to 2 computers, each located at opposite ends of the
house. These two computers already have a 10/100 LAN card installed.

The wired office network already has a router (non Linksys) connected to a
Linksys Cable Modem, the BEFCMU10. That system has worked flawlessly and I'
d prefer to keep it that way. The two other computers located at opposite
ends of the house are currently independent, but eventually I'm going to
want to expand those systems into more than a single computer station, hence
the reason for the installed LAN cards.

Just looking at the above mentioned topography, many will say that a simple
WAP54G Wireless Access Point for each of these separate stations would be
the way to go, but doing so, in the long run would cost a lot more money
than using 3 WRT54GS's at each location. Using the Wireless-G Access Point
WAP54G, I'd eventually have to buy myself 3 EZXS55W Auto Sensing 10/100
Switches (or something similar) to ensure I could expand this network for
future needs; costing a few more $$. Therefore, I opted for the 3 WRT54GS's
instead. I figured I could save at least $30 with this setup as opposed to
the combo WAP54G/EZXS55W setup.

The problem is, I can not get these WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Routers to
see one another. Is this not possible? I figure it should be.

I guess the simple question is, with what I have described above possible?
And if so, what could I possibly be doing wrong where each WRT54GS isn't
communicating with the other. If NOT possible, I guess I'll have to
return these Wireless-G Broadband Routers and go the other, more expensive
route.

Any help? Anybody else thinking about this scenario and saving a few bucks?

As of today (11-21-04), current prices (www.pricegrabber.com) for each are
as follows:

Wireless-G Access Point WAP54G -$58.37
Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54GS -$69.48
Auto Sensing 10/100 Switch EZXS55W -$21.00

Thanks.

"Joe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:le6od.72239$SW3.43623@fed1read01...
>
> What I want (wanted) to do was wirelessly connect a preexisting wired
> network in my office to 2 computers, each located at opposite ends of the
> house. These two computers already have a 10/100 LAN card installed.
>
I am not sure exactly what you want to do, but it appears that you want to
connect the routers wirelessly to each other. You may need a wireless
bridge, or at least a router that supports access point client mode.
Normally, wireless routers such as the WRT54GS are for connecting to client
Wi-Fi cards, not to each other, at least on the wireless side.
http://www.timhiggins.com/FAQ-5-Inte...ring-0.php#153

Thanks for the reply James....

> I am not sure exactly what you want to do, but it appears that you want to
> connect the routers wirelessly to each other. You may need a wireless
> bridge, or at least a router that supports access point client mode.
> Normally, wireless routers such as the WRT54GS are for connecting to
client
> Wi-Fi cards, not to each other, at least on the wireless side.

That is exactly what I'm trying to do Jim. I'm trying to get these wireless
routers to connect with each other wirelessly and I'm not 100% positive that
this -> CAN'T <- be done. I see no reason why this is NOT possible and
I'm hoping that someone here will tell me that this indeed can be done. If
possible, there would be no reason to buy separate access points with their
associated separate 10/100 switches. I'm sure I'm not the only one to have
considered this setup, yet I find very little help in terms of getting this
setup up and running.

So the question remains, is it possible for these WRT54GS Wireless-G
Broadband Routers to connect with one another wirelessly?

If so, then what settings need to be set within each router?

Again, any and all help would be greatly appreciated!

You should only need one router.

I'd suggest you return all but one of the wireless routers.

Replace your current router with a wireless router.

Put wireless NICs in each PC (or use USB wireless NICs on the PCs).

Learn more here:
http://www.linksys.com/edu/

A routers job is to separate networks. Your LAN is one network, the Internet
(WAN) is another.

Wireless routers are designed to communicate with Network Cards (wired or
wireless). NOT other routers.

Carey

"Joe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:le6od.72239$SW3.43623@fed1read01...
> Hello All,
>
> Here is my plight..
>
> I'm trying to save some money. Sounds good right? We all "try."
>
> Recently, at my local CompUSA store they ran a great rebate offer for many
> Linksys products. So I bought a whole bunch of stuff, namely 3 WRT54GS's,
> the Wireless-G Broadband Router.
>
> What I want (wanted) to do was wirelessly connect a preexisting wired
> network in my office to 2 computers, each located at opposite ends of the
> house. These two computers already have a 10/100 LAN card installed.
>
> The wired office network already has a router (non Linksys) connected to a
> Linksys Cable Modem, the BEFCMU10. That system has worked flawlessly and
> I'
> d prefer to keep it that way. The two other computers located at opposite
> ends of the house are currently independent, but eventually I'm going to
> want to expand those systems into more than a single computer station,
> hence
> the reason for the installed LAN cards.
>
> Just looking at the above mentioned topography, many will say that a
> simple
> WAP54G Wireless Access Point for each of these separate stations would be
> the way to go, but doing so, in the long run would cost a lot more money
> than using 3 WRT54GS's at each location. Using the Wireless-G Access
> Point
> WAP54G, I'd eventually have to buy myself 3 EZXS55W Auto Sensing 10/100
> Switches (or something similar) to ensure I could expand this network for
> future needs; costing a few more $$. Therefore, I opted for the 3
> WRT54GS's
> instead. I figured I could save at least $30 with this setup as opposed
> to
> the combo WAP54G/EZXS55W setup.
>
> The problem is, I can not get these WRT54GS Wireless-G Broadband Routers
> to
> see one another. Is this not possible? I figure it should be.
>
> I guess the simple question is, with what I have described above possible?
> And if so, what could I possibly be doing wrong where each WRT54GS isn't
> communicating with the other. If NOT possible, I guess I'll have to
> return these Wireless-G Broadband Routers and go the other, more expensive
> route.
>
> Any help? Anybody else thinking about this scenario and saving a few
> bucks?
>
> As of today (11-21-04), current prices (www.pricegrabber.com) for each are
> as follows:
>
> Wireless-G Access Point WAP54G -$58.37
> Wireless-G Broadband Router WRT54GS -$69.48
> Auto Sensing 10/100 Switch EZXS55W -$21.00
>
> Thanks.
>
>

Thanks for the response Carey,
And I hear what you are saying:
"Wireless routers are designed to communicate with Network Cards (wired or
wireless). NOT other routers."

But that being said, couldn't these routers be enabled to see one another
regardless?

And couldn't I have three LANs and the internet (WAN) coexist together with
this setup?

Seems to me that this should be possible. Whether or not it's practical is
one thing, but I'd really like to know if it's possible? What about a
firmware update to these things? Would that enable these routers to
communicate with each other?

Thanks again.
Anybody else?

If you run a physical cable between them, then yes. Wirelessly, no.

No firmware update will add a feature to a device to do something it isn't
suppose to do (not intentionally, anyways...)

Hope this helps.

Carey

"Joe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:zVhod.73958$SW3.28985@fed1read01...
> Thanks for the response Carey,
> And I hear what you are saying:
> "Wireless routers are designed to communicate with Network Cards (wired or
> wireless). NOT other routers."
>
> But that being said, couldn't these routers be enabled to see one another
> regardless?
>
> And couldn't I have three LANs and the internet (WAN) coexist together
> with
> this setup?
>
> Seems to me that this should be possible. Whether or not it's practical
> is
> one thing, but I'd really like to know if it's possible? What about a
> firmware update to these things? Would that enable these routers to
> communicate with each other?
>
> Thanks again.
> Anybody else?
>
>

The only way the routers can see each other is with a wired connection, not
wireless. Unless the routers can act as a WAP.

Carey

"Joe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:zVhod.73958$SW3.28985@fed1read01...
> Thanks for the response Carey,
> And I hear what you are saying:
> "Wireless routers are designed to communicate with Network Cards (wired or
> wireless). NOT other routers."
>
> But that being said, couldn't these routers be enabled to see one another
> regardless?
>
> And couldn't I have three LANs and the internet (WAN) coexist together
> with
> this setup?
>
> Seems to me that this should be possible. Whether or not it's practical
> is
> one thing, but I'd really like to know if it's possible? What about a
> firmware update to these things? Would that enable these routers to
> communicate with each other?
>
> Thanks again.
> Anybody else?
>
>

> Unless the routers can act as a WAP.
And THAT IS the question now isn't it?


Here is a response I got from the Linksys people themselves...

"You cannot communicate 2 Wireless router wirelessly, it does not
have bridging capability. You need 1 WAP54g to be connected to
router and 2 wireless cards. "

So I guess there is my answer. LinkSys themselves that what I am attempting
to do is IMPOSSIBLE.
Oh well, I thought I'd give it a try. So much for saving money. I'll
return all this stuff ASAP!
Thanks for all the help.

My pleasure. Remember, there are ways of accomplishing what ever it is you
want to accomplish, but not necessary the WAY you want to accomplish it.

Carey

"Joe" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:maIqd.105051$SW3.91998@fed1read01...
>
>> Unless the routers can act as a WAP.
> And THAT IS the question now isn't it?
>
>
> Here is a response I got from the Linksys people themselves...
>
> "You cannot communicate 2 Wireless router wirelessly, it does not
> have bridging capability. You need 1 WAP54g to be connected to
> router and 2 wireless cards. "
>
> So I guess there is my answer. LinkSys themselves that what I am
> attempting
> to do is IMPOSSIBLE.
> Oh well, I thought I'd give it a try. So much for saving money. I'll
> return all this stuff ASAP!
> Thanks for all the help.
>
>

On Mon, 29 Nov 2004 09:32:15 -0700, Joe <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> Unless the routers can act as a WAP.
> And THAT IS the question now isn't it?
>
>
> Here is a response I got from the Linksys people themselves...
>
> "You cannot communicate 2 Wireless router wirelessly, it does not
> have bridging capability. You need 1 WAP54g to be connected to
> router and 2 wireless cards. "
>
> So I guess there is my answer. LinkSys themselves that what I am attempting
> to do is IMPOSSIBLE.
> Oh well, I thought I'd give it a try. So much for saving money. I'll
> return all this stuff ASAP!
> Thanks for all the help.

It should be noted that what you are attempting is impossible with LinkSys
gear but there are routers with bridging capability. I've said before in
this newsgroup that I use a couple of Airlink RT210W units which have a
bridge mode as well as the more common router and access point modes. I have
a Microsoft router which like the Linksys doesn't have a bridge mode so
maybe the capability is rare.