Wired and Wireless

[c3p0]

I should probably know this, but since I don't, here is my situation and my question. I have a pretty functional Ethernet network set up in my home. I have 4 PC's connected to an 8-port switch then to my router then to my cable modem. I want to integrate a wireless access point into this existing wired network for my laptop. My question is where do I plug in the wireless access point? Does it have to be plugged in to the router? Or can I just plug it in to one of the free ports on the switch? Also, will my existing router assign an IP to the wireless NIC? Or will I have to set it up with a static IP?

I am using both Win98se and Win XP on this network. The laptop is currently running Win 98se, but I might upgrade it to 2000. I don't have the wireless equipment yet, so I am not stuck with any specific configuration. The laptop is primarily used for Internet browsing, e-mail and some small file transfers between the PC's in my home. If you need more info, just ask.

Thanks!

c3p0

 

[ktwebb]

Access Points are predominately pass through devices, wireless hubs. You would just connect the AP to a port on your switch with a patch cable. If the AP has a DHCP client feature it would pick up an IP from the router. I am not sure how many of the budget AP's are DHCP clients. It's only relevant for any configuration changes you might want to make. The wireless cards would pick up an IP just like any wired node on your LAN. Just think of it as cascading a hub to your switched backbone, except the medium the data is transferred over is RF, instead of CAT 5.

 

[JackMDS]

The Wireless Access Point (WAP) can be plugged to any free port on the Router, or the Switch.

Many Entry Level WAPs have DHCP server on them; since you are using the DHCP on your Router you do not want two DHCP running.

Install the WAP utility, and look at the Menus, if you see a menu with DHCP setting turn it off. The IP for the WAP, as well as any Wireless client will be assigned automatically by the Router?s DHCP server.

 

[c3p0]

ktwebb and JackMDS, thanks for the info. That's exactly what I needed to know.

 

[sml]

just think of an AP as an ethernet bridge; it's easy from there.

 

[rw120555]

I think people don't realize how easy it is to mix and match different networking technologies. If you wanted to you could add homeplug and homepna devices to your network in much the same way. You're smart to have set up the ethernet network the way you have; you could have easily blown a small fortune buying a bunch of wireless client cards, and the main thing you'd have to show for it would be a slower and less reliable network. Use ethernet as much as you can, and then use bridging devices (such as WAPs) as needed.

 

[c3p0]

Thanks again guys for the info and encouragement. This Forum is truly a wealth of knowledge. I can always count on you guys to share some of it.

c3p0