Two Linksys WRT54g's in one network

Because of the price advantage I purchased two WRT54g Linksys routers.
I want to use one connected to my cable modem to form a downstairs
half of a lan.
And the second, upstairs as the other half of the same LAN but use the
wireless capability to access the internet via the downstairs router.
IS this even possible? or should I have gotten one router and one
access point? Can't the WRT54g act as an access point.
Any specific help on how to configure this setup would be appreciated.
Thanks

It is possible, but you're going to have to get, yet another, WRT54G or a WAP54G or equivalent to do it.

"Marv" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Because of the price advantage I purchased two WRT54g Linksys routers.
> I want to use one connected to my cable modem to form a downstairs
> half of a lan.
> And the second, upstairs as the other half of the same LAN but use the
> wireless capability to access the internet via the downstairs router.
> IS this even possible? or should I have gotten one router and one
> access point? Can't the WRT54g act as an access point.
> Any specific help on how to configure this setup would be appreciated.
> Thanks

John,
You're kidding me right!! It would take a THIRD device to pull this
off? Why?
Is there any way it can be done with only two devices? I'd rather take
one WRT54G back and exchange it for something else. Also I do have
some other network devices lying around it they can somehow help (I've
got a 5 port switch, a 5 port hub, an BESFR41 'hardline' router, and
an SMC barricade 'hardline' router)
Can't the second WRT54G be setup to take all of it's incoming traffic
and route/send it via wireless to the other wrt54G??
Suddenly drilling holes in the walls is starting to look like not so
bad of an idea.

"John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<Bd55b.5945$(E-Mail Removed) link.net>...
> It is possible, but you're going to have to get, yet another, WRT54G or
> a WAP54G or equivalent to do it.
>
> "Marv" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > Because of the price advantage I purchased two WRT54g Linksys routers.
> > I want to use one connected to my cable modem to form a downstairs
> > half of a lan.
> > And the second, upstairs as the other half of the same LAN but use the
> > wireless capability to access the internet via the downstairs router.
> > IS this even possible? or should I have gotten one router and one
> > access point? Can't the WRT54g act as an access point.
> > Any specific help on how to configure this setup would be appreciated.
> > Thanks

Sounds like you want a repeater, which the WRT54G isn't. Read this
for more info on bridging and repeating:
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/Secti...le36-page1.php.

(E-Mail Removed) (Marv) wrote in message news:<(E-Mail Removed). com>...
> Because of the price advantage I purchased two WRT54g Linksys routers.
> I want to use one connected to my cable modem to form a downstairs
> half of a lan.
> And the second, upstairs as the other half of the same LAN but use the
> wireless capability to access the internet via the downstairs router.
> IS this even possible? or should I have gotten one router and one
> access point? Can't the WRT54g act as an access point.
> Any specific help on how to configure this setup would be appreciated.
> Thanks

The problem is that the wireless router can't act as a router and access point at the same time, so in a normal situation, you'd need a router and two access points, or three wireless routers, or any combination.

Are you trying to simply connect two Ethernet LANs together, or are you trying to have wireless access in both locations?

One option would be to exchange one of the WRT54G's for a WET54G (Wireless Ethernet Bridge). That will allow you to connect your upstairs LAN to your downstairs LAN, wirelessly, so you will only need the wireless router and a wireless Ethernet bridge to do the job. Although, if you need to access the network via a wireless laptop, you will need to be in range of the downstairs wireless router.

Or, I believe you can use the BEFSR41 as the router, connect that to the WRT54G as the AP and put the other WRT54G upstairs as the other AP. In this configuration, I believe you'll have full wireless access in both zones for laptop use.


"Marv" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> John,
> You're kidding me right!! It would take a THIRD device to pull this
> off? Why?
> Is there any way it can be done with only two devices? I'd rather take
> one WRT54G back and exchange it for something else. Also I do have
> some other network devices lying around it they can somehow help (I've
> got a 5 port switch, a 5 port hub, an BESFR41 'hardline' router, and
> an SMC barricade 'hardline' router)
> Can't the second WRT54G be setup to take all of it's incoming traffic
> and route/send it via wireless to the other wrt54G??
> Suddenly drilling holes in the walls is starting to look like not so
> bad of an idea.
>
> "John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<Bd55b.5945$(E-Mail Removed) link.net>...
> > It is possible, but you're going to have to get, yet another, WRT54G or
> > a WAP54G or equivalent to do it.
> >
> > "Marv" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > > Because of the price advantage I purchased two WRT54g Linksys routers.
> > > I want to use one connected to my cable modem to form a downstairs
> > > half of a lan.
> > > And the second, upstairs as the other half of the same LAN but use the
> > > wireless capability to access the internet via the downstairs router.
> > > IS this even possible? or should I have gotten one router and one
> > > access point? Can't the WRT54g act as an access point.
> > > Any specific help on how to configure this setup would be appreciated.
> > > Thanks

(Marv) ok, well after doing some research I thought I'd do your first
option of exchanging one WRT54g for a WET54g, understanding that I'd
only have the one wireless access point downstairs, which is ok. Only
thing about that option is the "extra" cost of the WET54g, its more
expensive than the WRT54g!

I'll give your second idea a try, since I have all the hardware to do
it.
But I'm still confused in that I thought the WRT54g could act as an
access point and router/gateway simultaneously. I then planned on
using the second WRT54g as an access point as well.. What I've
discovered is that by ACCESS POINT mode, the wireless device will only
accept/support wireless CLIENTS, and not talk to another wireless
access point. In order to do that you have to place an access point
into (wireless)bridge mode. When in (wireless)bridge mode, its best
that the two devices be from the same manufacturer (not an issue here)
but even more importantly when an access point is in (wireless)bridge
mode it can only be used as a bridge and apparently the WRT54g,
although access point capable DOES NOT support a bridge mode. So I can
never make the second WRT54g act as a (wireless)bridge, which is what
I needed it to do. Either it would have to work in a bridge mode or in
AP/client (access point client) mode
which I also do not believe it does.

I'll give it a try, and ask Linksys tech support (dread)

otherwise I'll exchange one of the routers for a bridge .

This has been a very educational experience, and why I like playing
with these darned machines anyway!
"John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<ma95b.6243$(E-Mail Removed) link.net>...
> The problem is that the wireless router can't act as a router and access
> point at the same time, so in a normal situation, you'd need a router
> and two access points, or three wireless routers, or any combination.
>
> Are you trying to simply connect two Ethernet LANs together, or are you
> trying to have wireless access in both locations?
>
> One option would be to exchange one of the WRT54G's for a WET54G
> (Wireless Ethernet Bridge). That will allow you to connect your upstairs
> LAN to your downstairs LAN, wirelessly, so you will only need the
> wireless router and a wireless Ethernet bridge to do the job. Although,
> if you need to access the network via a wireless laptop, you will need
> to be in range of the downstairs wireless router.
>
> Or, I believe you can use the BEFSR41 as the router, connect that to the
> WRT54G as the AP and put the other WRT54G upstairs as the other AP. In
> this configuration, I believe you'll have full wireless access in both
> zones for laptop use.

Does not the WRT64G have a bridge mode option in the setup?

"John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:ma95b.6243$(E-Mail Removed) ink.net...
The problem is that the wireless router can't act as a router and access
point at the same time, so in a normal situation, you'd need a router and
two access points, or three wireless routers, or any combination.

Are you trying to simply connect two Ethernet LANs together, or are you
trying to have wireless access in both locations?

One option would be to exchange one of the WRT54G's for a WET54G (Wireless
Ethernet Bridge). That will allow you to connect your upstairs LAN to your
downstairs LAN, wirelessly, so you will only need the wireless router and a
wireless Ethernet bridge to do the job. Although, if you need to access the
network via a wireless laptop, you will need to be in range of the
downstairs wireless router.

Or, I believe you can use the BEFSR41 as the router, connect that to the
WRT54G as the AP and put the other WRT54G upstairs as the other AP. In this
configuration, I believe you'll have full wireless access in both zones for
laptop use.


"Marv" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> John,
> You're kidding me right!! It would take a THIRD device to pull this
> off? Why?
> Is there any way it can be done with only two devices? I'd rather take
> one WRT54G back and exchange it for something else. Also I do have
> some other network devices lying around it they can somehow help (I've
> got a 5 port switch, a 5 port hub, an BESFR41 'hardline' router, and
> an SMC barricade 'hardline' router)
> Can't the second WRT54G be setup to take all of it's incoming traffic
> and route/send it via wireless to the other wrt54G??
> Suddenly drilling holes in the walls is starting to look like not so
> bad of an idea.
>
> "John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:<Bd55b.5945$(E-Mail Removed) link.net>...
> > It is possible, but you're going to have to get, yet another, WRT54G or
> > a WAP54G or equivalent to do it.
> >
> > "Marv" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> > > Because of the price advantage I purchased two WRT54g Linksys routers.
> > > I want to use one connected to my cable modem to form a downstairs
> > > half of a lan.
> > > And the second, upstairs as the other half of the same LAN but use the
> > > wireless capability to access the internet via the downstairs router.
> > > IS this even possible? or should I have gotten one router and one
> > > access point? Can't the WRT54g act as an access point.
> > > Any specific help on how to configure this setup would be appreciated.
> > > Thanks

Let me know how it turns out.

"Marv" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> (Marv) ok, well after doing some research I thought I'd do your first
> option of exchanging one WRT54g for a WET54g, understanding that I'd
> only have the one wireless access point downstairs, which is ok. Only
> thing about that option is the "extra" cost of the WET54g, its more
> expensive than the WRT54g!
>
> I'll give your second idea a try, since I have all the hardware to do
> it.
> But I'm still confused in that I thought the WRT54g could act as an
> access point and router/gateway simultaneously. I then planned on
> using the second WRT54g as an access point as well.. What I've
> discovered is that by ACCESS POINT mode, the wireless device will only
> accept/support wireless CLIENTS, and not talk to another wireless
> access point. In order to do that you have to place an access point
> into (wireless)bridge mode. When in (wireless)bridge mode, its best
> that the two devices be from the same manufacturer (not an issue here)
> but even more importantly when an access point is in (wireless)bridge
> mode it can only be used as a bridge and apparently the WRT54g,
> although access point capable DOES NOT support a bridge mode. So I can
> never make the second WRT54g act as a (wireless)bridge, which is what
> I needed it to do. Either it would have to work in a bridge mode or in
> AP/client (access point client) mode
> which I also do not believe it does.
>
> I'll give it a try, and ask Linksys tech support (dread)
>
> otherwise I'll exchange one of the routers for a bridge .
>
> This has been a very educational experience, and why I like playing
> with these darned machines anyway!
> "John Eckart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:<ma95b.6243$(E-Mail Removed) link.net>...
> > The problem is that the wireless router can't act as a router and access
> > point at the same time, so in a normal situation, you'd need a router
> > and two access points, or three wireless routers, or any combination.
> >
> > Are you trying to simply connect two Ethernet LANs together, or are you
> > trying to have wireless access in both locations?
> >
> > One option would be to exchange one of the WRT54G's for a WET54G
> > (Wireless Ethernet Bridge). That will allow you to connect your upstairs
> > LAN to your downstairs LAN, wirelessly, so you will only need the
> > wireless router and a wireless Ethernet bridge to do the job. Although,
> > if you need to access the network via a wireless laptop, you will need
> > to be in range of the downstairs wireless router.
> >
> > Or, I believe you can use the BEFSR41 as the router, connect that to the
> > WRT54G as the AP and put the other WRT54G upstairs as the other AP. In
> > this configuration, I believe you'll have full wireless access in both
> > zones for laptop use.

Well,
I've returned one of the WRT54G's and I'm saving the extra $$ to get a
WET54G bridge. hopefully I can place the bridge upstairs and the
WRT54G downstairs and bridge the two halves of the network that way.
Only thing I'm not sure of is is WDS is supported by the WET54G. I'm
going under the assumption that it is until someone tells me
different.
Marv

On 4 Sep 2003 08:38:52 -0700, (E-Mail Removed) (Marv) wrote:


>But I'm still confused in that I thought the WRT54g could act as an
>access point and router/gateway simultaneously. I then planned on
>using the second WRT54g as an access point as well.. What I've
>discovered is that by ACCESS POINT mode, the wireless device will only
>accept/support wireless CLIENTS, and not talk to another wireless
>access point. In order to do that you have to place an access point
>into (wireless)bridge mode. When in (wireless)bridge mode, its best
>that the two devices be from the same manufacturer (not an issue here)
>but even more importantly when an access point is in (wireless)bridge
>mode it can only be used as a bridge and apparently the WRT54g,
>although access point capable DOES NOT support a bridge mode. So I can
>never make the second WRT54g act as a (wireless)bridge, which is what
>I needed it to do. Either it would have to work in a bridge mode or in
>AP/client (access point client) mode
>which I also do not believe it does.

I have also been trying to use the WRT54g as a bridge between two
wired Lans. I finally came to the same conclusion--the WRT54g does
not support bridging. I have been able to determine tha the WAP54G
can be used to link two wired networks by setting up a wireless
bridge. Unfortunately, these cost as much as the WRT54g and only have
a single port which requires that I add a switch ahead of the WRT54g.

This is the configuration I plan to use:


PC 1
PC 2 3com Switch == WAP54g ~~ WAP54g == Switch == PC 4, PC5
PC3

== Wired portion
~~ Wireless portion


The manual on the WAP54g says this will work. I would love to figure
out how to do this with the WRT54g since I own three. However, I have
come to the same conclusion as you. The WRT54g cannot be configured
to act as a bridge.

Fred