Wireless Access POINTless ?

Just ordered a WAP - prior to this I just had a PCI wireless card in my PC
and a PCMCIA wireless card in my notebook. The WAP says I need to connect it
to my wired network via switch, hub, router or into a network card in a PC.

I was thinking I would be able to connect it to my existing wireless PCI
card via wireless (the WAP > PC ) w/o any intergration into the "wired
network" if I plug it into the wired card in the PC with the wireless PCI
card then I won`t need the PCI card anymore and my WAP will have be
positioned in the same place the PCI card is.

Can someone help me get my head round this.

an AP is exactly that, an access point into a "wired" network.
if you are trying to connect the two together, then you don't need an AP,
adhoc mode for connecting PC's/Laptops



"Nick Le Lievre" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:boo54j$1g2aud$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Just ordered a WAP - prior to this I just had a PCI wireless card in my PC
> and a PCMCIA wireless card in my notebook. The WAP says I need to connect
it
> to my wired network via switch, hub, router or into a network card in a
PC.
>
> I was thinking I would be able to connect it to my existing wireless PCI
> card via wireless (the WAP > PC ) w/o any intergration into the "wired
> network" if I plug it into the wired card in the PC with the wireless PCI
> card then I won`t need the PCI card anymore and my WAP will have be
> positioned in the same place the PCI card is.
>
> Can someone help me get my head round this.
>
>
>

"383" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:boo697$pjt$(E-Mail Removed)...
> an AP is exactly that, an access point into a "wired" network.
> if you are trying to connect the two together, then you don't need an AP,
> adhoc mode for connecting PC's/Laptops
>

Well I wanted to extend the range and I thought a Wireless Access Point with
a wireless connection to another PC with a wireless card would be an ideal
solution. So that WAP would operate by itself communicating wirelessly to
all other wireless devices like a wireless hub is there such a thing as a
wireless hub ? This PC itself was operating as an wireless access point as I
have another wired PC connected via crosswired cable to it at 100mbit (which
is really handy).

Now I realise that maybe I`d of been better off buying a WAP to start with
instead of the PCI card -. Looks like I`m going to have to plug the WAP into
the wired NIC and take out the wireless PCI card and either sell it or put
it into the other PC with wired NIC which currently has a 100mbit
connection.

I just hope the Wireless Access Point has a better range with its 2 antannae
then the PCI card did with it being standalone etc + I should be able to run
a good length of CAT 5 out the back of the NIC.

On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 14:25:41 -0000, Nick Le Lievre spoketh

>"383" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:boo697$pjt$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> an AP is exactly that, an access point into a "wired" network.
>> if you are trying to connect the two together, then you don't need an AP,
>> adhoc mode for connecting PC's/Laptops
>>
>
>Well I wanted to extend the range and I thought a Wireless Access Point with
>a wireless connection to another PC with a wireless card would be an ideal
>solution. So that WAP would operate by itself communicating wirelessly to
>all other wireless devices like a wireless hub is there such a thing as a
>wireless hub ? This PC itself was operating as an wireless access point as I
>have another wired PC connected via crosswired cable to it at 100mbit (which
>is really handy).
>
>Now I realise that maybe I`d of been better off buying a WAP to start with
>instead of the PCI card -. Looks like I`m going to have to plug the WAP into
>the wired NIC and take out the wireless PCI card and either sell it or put
>it into the other PC with wired NIC which currently has a 100mbit
>connection.
>
>I just hope the Wireless Access Point has a better range with its 2 antannae
>then the PCI card did with it being standalone etc + I should be able to run
>a good length of CAT 5 out the back of the NIC.
>

The WAP _is_ a wireless hub. You don't have to plug it into a wired
network (other than for (probably) configuration purposes).

Lars M. Hansen
www.hansenonline.net

"Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 14:25:41 -0000, Nick Le Lievre spoketh
>
> >"383" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >news:boo697$pjt$(E-Mail Removed)...
> >> an AP is exactly that, an access point into a "wired" network.
> >> if you are trying to connect the two together, then you don't need an
AP,
> >> adhoc mode for connecting PC's/Laptops
> >>
> >
> >Well I wanted to extend the range and I thought a Wireless Access Point
with
> >a wireless connection to another PC with a wireless card would be an
ideal
> >solution. So that WAP would operate by itself communicating wirelessly to
> >all other wireless devices like a wireless hub is there such a thing as a
> >wireless hub ? This PC itself was operating as an wireless access point
as I
> >have another wired PC connected via crosswired cable to it at 100mbit
(which
> >is really handy).
> >
> >Now I realise that maybe I`d of been better off buying a WAP to start
with
> >instead of the PCI card -. Looks like I`m going to have to plug the WAP
into
> >the wired NIC and take out the wireless PCI card and either sell it or
put
> >it into the other PC with wired NIC which currently has a 100mbit
> >connection.
> >
> >I just hope the Wireless Access Point has a better range with its 2
antannae
> >then the PCI card did with it being standalone etc + I should be able to
run
> >a good length of CAT 5 out the back of the NIC.
> >
>
> The WAP _is_ a wireless hub. You don't have to plug it into a wired
> network (other than for (probably) configuration purposes).
>
> Lars M. Hansen
> www.hansenonline.net

I really hope your right as I would then be able to position the WAP within
range of the PC which already has the wireless card giving me loads more
range in the surrounding area of the WAP. The manual suggests it need to be
physically connected to a wired network
http://nicklelievre.redirectme.net/wap.jpg

I hope this is only necessary for config purposes.

On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 15:01:54 -0000, Nick Le Lievre spoketh

>"Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
>>
>> The WAP _is_ a wireless hub. You don't have to plug it into a wired
>> network (other than for (probably) configuration purposes).
>>
>> Lars M. Hansen
>> www.hansenonline.net
>
>I really hope your right as I would then be able to position the WAP within
>range of the PC which already has the wireless card giving me loads more
>range in the surrounding area of the WAP. The manual suggests it need to be
>physically connected to a wired network
>http://nicklelievre.redirectme.net/wap.jpg
>
>I hope this is only necessary for config purposes.
>

As a test, I just started a ping from one wireless laptop to another,
then disconnected the cable from my WAP. Traffic was still going between
the laptops and the WAP.

Also, your manual uses the word "can" not "must" when it describes how
to connect the WAP to the network. I guess they often assume that the
WAP is to add wireless capabilities to an existing (wired) network.

Disclaimer: It does work with my Linksys WAP. It should work with
yours...


Lars M. Hansen
www.hansenonline.net

"Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 15:01:54 -0000, Nick Le Lievre spoketh
>
> >"Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> >news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
> >>
> >> The WAP _is_ a wireless hub. You don't have to plug it into a wired
> >> network (other than for (probably) configuration purposes).
> >>
> >> Lars M. Hansen
> >> www.hansenonline.net
> >
> >I really hope your right as I would then be able to position the WAP
within
> >range of the PC which already has the wireless card giving me loads more
> >range in the surrounding area of the WAP. The manual suggests it need to
be
> >physically connected to a wired network
> >http://nicklelievre.redirectme.net/wap.jpg
> >
> >I hope this is only necessary for config purposes.
> >
>
> As a test, I just started a ping from one wireless laptop to another,
> then disconnected the cable from my WAP. Traffic was still going between
> the laptops and the WAP.
>
> Also, your manual uses the word "can" not "must" when it describes how
> to connect the WAP to the network. I guess they often assume that the
> WAP is to add wireless capabilities to an existing (wired) network.
>
> Disclaimer: It does work with my Linksys WAP. It should work with
> yours...
>

Thanks for the information. I wonder how does it work. Notebook has IP
192.168.2.2 WAP has 192.168.2.3 - the PC 192.168.2.1 for the wireless
adapter (also running ICS etc)

Notebook has dns/gateway set to 192.168.2.1 when in range of WAP it will be
able to find 192.168.2.1 thru the WAP 192.168.2.3 seemlessly.

I guess this is a feature of infrastructure mode.

I think you might find the following URLs useful:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/NeedToKnows.php
http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/

If you're patient enough to do a bit of reading, they'll give you a detailed
an introduction to wifi networking. You do need to understand what access
points are for, and the difference between infrastructure and adhoc
networks.

"Nick Le Lievre" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:boo54j$1g2aud$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Just ordered a WAP - prior to this I just had a PCI wireless card in my PC
> and a PCMCIA wireless card in my notebook. The WAP says I need to connect
it
> to my wired network via switch, hub, router or into a network card in a
PC.
>
> I was thinking I would be able to connect it to my existing wireless PCI
> card via wireless (the WAP > PC ) w/o any intergration into the "wired
> network" if I plug it into the wired card in the PC with the wireless PCI
> card then I won`t need the PCI card anymore and my WAP will have be
> positioned in the same place the PCI card is.
>
> Can someone help me get my head round this.
>
>
>

"Nick Le Lievre" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:booego$1fts9f$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 15:01:54 -0000, Nick Le Lievre spoketh
> >
> > >"Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > >news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
> > >>
> > >> The WAP _is_ a wireless hub. You don't have to plug it into a wired
> > >> network (other than for (probably) configuration purposes).
> > >>
> > >> Lars M. Hansen
> > >> www.hansenonline.net
> > >
> > >I really hope your right as I would then be able to position the WAP
> within
> > >range of the PC which already has the wireless card giving me loads
more
> > >range in the surrounding area of the WAP. The manual suggests it need
to
> be
> > >physically connected to a wired network
> > >http://nicklelievre.redirectme.net/wap.jpg
> > >
> > >I hope this is only necessary for config purposes.
> > >
> >
> > As a test, I just started a ping from one wireless laptop to another,
> > then disconnected the cable from my WAP. Traffic was still going between
> > the laptops and the WAP.
> >
> > Also, your manual uses the word "can" not "must" when it describes how
> > to connect the WAP to the network. I guess they often assume that the
> > WAP is to add wireless capabilities to an existing (wired) network.
> >
> > Disclaimer: It does work with my Linksys WAP. It should work with
> > yours...
> >
>
> Thanks for the information. I wonder how does it work. Notebook has IP
> 192.168.2.2 WAP has 192.168.2.3 - the PC 192.168.2.1 for the wireless
> adapter (also running ICS etc)
>
> Notebook has dns/gateway set to 192.168.2.1 when in range of WAP it will
be
> able to find 192.168.2.1 thru the WAP 192.168.2.3 seemlessly.
>
> I guess this is a feature of infrastructure mode.
>

Recieved Adaptec 8060 WAP this lunchtime - connected the Access Point to PC
with both wired (192.168.0.1) & wireless (192.168.2.1) interfaces and
installed the Access Point utility - it couldn`t find the AP no great
surprise as I knew that it would need to be physically connected to network
for configuration.

So I connected it directly into the Wired NIC via the CAT5 patch cable
supplied then ran the Access Point Utility again- still no connection and
the Wired LED on the AP itself wasnt lit I was puzzled.

After spending a few minutes getting out my old 10mbit hub connecting both
devices to that and still not getting the Wired LED lit I pulled the power
plug on the AP and after restoring power magically the Wired LED was now
lit! Searching for the device with the Wireless AP Utility found it with a
default IP of 192.168.0.50 then I wasted a few more minutes trying instantly
set the IP to the wireless subnet 192.168.2.3 and finding that the utility
was unable to find it on each subsequent attempt (remember it has to be
connected physically to a wired subnet for configuration).

When I set the IP to 192.168.0.3 temporarily for configuration purposes I
was able to access the browser based configuration page to set SSID channel
etc and thats when I set the IP to 192.168.2.3 and the Gateway to
192.168.2.1 - I applied the options and now of course it was no longer
accesible via the utility as it was on the wireless subnet.

So tried to ping it from 192.168.2.1/192.168.0.2 the PC with both
wired/wireless subnets and no reply then I said to myself "I haven`t changed
the wireless adapters to infrastructure mode" after doing this on
192.168.2.1 and 192.168.2.2 could then ping 192.168.2.3. I then moved the
WAP to its intended central position where it is now happily working on its
own just plugged into the power source and I can go all over signal in the
room to the left of the WAP is 86% and in the room where 192.168.2.1 is
located 66% this is so much better then before with the AD-HOC Setup I had.

"Nick Le Lievre" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bp2on5$1jhet4$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Nick Le Lievre" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:booego$1fts9f$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > "Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 15:01:54 -0000, Nick Le Lievre spoketh
> > >
> > > >"Lars M. Hansen" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > >news:(E-Mail Removed).. .
> > > >>
> > > >> The WAP _is_ a wireless hub. You don't have to plug it into a wired
> > > >> network (other than for (probably) configuration purposes).
> > > >>
> > > >> Lars M. Hansen
> > > >> www.hansenonline.net
> > > >
> > > >I really hope your right as I would then be able to position the WAP
> > within
> > > >range of the PC which already has the wireless card giving me loads
> more
> > > >range in the surrounding area of the WAP. The manual suggests it need
> to
> > be
> > > >physically connected to a wired network
> > > >http://nicklelievre.redirectme.net/wap.jpg
> > > >
> > > >I hope this is only necessary for config purposes.
> > > >
> > >
> > > As a test, I just started a ping from one wireless laptop to another,
> > > then disconnected the cable from my WAP. Traffic was still going
between
> > > the laptops and the WAP.
> > >
> > > Also, your manual uses the word "can" not "must" when it describes how
> > > to connect the WAP to the network. I guess they often assume that the
> > > WAP is to add wireless capabilities to an existing (wired) network.
> > >
> > > Disclaimer: It does work with my Linksys WAP. It should work with
> > > yours...
> > >
> >
> > Thanks for the information. I wonder how does it work. Notebook has IP
> > 192.168.2.2 WAP has 192.168.2.3 - the PC 192.168.2.1 for the wireless
> > adapter (also running ICS etc)
> >
> > Notebook has dns/gateway set to 192.168.2.1 when in range of WAP it will
> be
> > able to find 192.168.2.1 thru the WAP 192.168.2.3 seemlessly.
> >
> > I guess this is a feature of infrastructure mode.
> >
>
> Recieved Adaptec 8060 WAP this lunchtime - connected the Access Point to
PC
> with both wired (192.168.0.1) & wireless (192.168.2.1) interfaces and
> installed the Access Point utility - it couldn`t find the AP no great
> surprise as I knew that it would need to be physically connected to
network
> for configuration.
>
> So I connected it directly into the Wired NIC via the CAT5 patch cable
> supplied then ran the Access Point Utility again- still no connection and
> the Wired LED on the AP itself wasnt lit I was puzzled.
>
> After spending a few minutes getting out my old 10mbit hub connecting both
> devices to that and still not getting the Wired LED lit I pulled the power
> plug on the AP and after restoring power magically the Wired LED was now
> lit! Searching for the device with the Wireless AP Utility found it with a
> default IP of 192.168.0.50 then I wasted a few more minutes trying
instantly
> set the IP to the wireless subnet 192.168.2.3 and finding that the utility
> was unable to find it on each subsequent attempt (remember it has to be
> connected physically to a wired subnet for configuration).
>
> When I set the IP to 192.168.0.3 temporarily for configuration purposes I
> was able to access the browser based configuration page to set SSID
channel
> etc and thats when I set the IP to 192.168.2.3 and the Gateway to
> 192.168.2.1 - I applied the options and now of course it was no longer
> accesible via the utility as it was on the wireless subnet.
>
> So tried to ping it from 192.168.2.1/192.168.0.2 the PC with both
> wired/wireless subnets and no reply then I said to myself "I haven`t
changed
> the wireless adapters to infrastructure mode" after doing this on
> 192.168.2.1 and 192.168.2.2 could then ping 192.168.2.3. I then moved the
> WAP to its intended central position where it is now happily working on
its
> own just plugged into the power source and I can go all over signal in the
> room to the left of the WAP is 86% and in the room where 192.168.2.1 is
> located 66% this is so much better then before with the AD-HOC Setup I
had.
>

Of course I can load my browser on any PC and enter the WAPs ip address
192.168.2.3 and I can gain access to its configuration settings without
having it connected physically to the network now - this is becuase the IP
address has been set already. I am very pleased with this device.