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All FAQs » » 30.0 Setup

Using a Wireless Router as an Access Point
This Section
Members often ask about how to add wireless capabilities to their Using 2nd AP to extend my range?
existing network, which already uses a wired router. See note How do I set up my wireless router
after 2b, for attaching a Wifi Router as an AP/switch to an as a client?
existing wifi network. Since it is often less expensive than an How Do I Set Up My Wireless
access point, a wireless router may make sense. Router?
How Do I Set Up My Wireless Access
1. Using a PC wired into the current router, unplug it from the Point?
wired connection and plug into a LAN port on the secondary How Do I Set Up My Wireless Client?
router. Access the secondary router using your browser via its How Do I Set Up My Wireless
default LAN IP address and default password. Since the PC was Software?
attached to the previous router you will have tell the PC to obtain How Do I Set Up Wireless Under
Linux?
a LAN IP from the new device. Use 'winipcfg' in win9x or
'ipconfig release/renew' with W2K/XP on the PC. Can I Share My Broadband
Connection Via Wireless?
Do You Have Examples of Wireless
2. On the secondary router (hereafter called the AP) Connection Sharing?
Using a Wireless Router as an Access
a. change the default password to a minimum combination of 8 Point
letters/numbers/symbols. How do I setup an ad-hoc (peer to
peer) wireless network?
b. Change the ESSID to a unique name and make all the How Can I Set Up a Long-Range
necessary wireless configurations. Link?
Note: If attaching a WiFi router as an AP/switch to an existing Dish and omni on single AP for p-t-p
wifi network, one should keep the ESSIDs the same for seamless and local coverage
roaming, or separate if one wants to manually decide which AP 2 antenna: set 1 to TX & other to
to connect to. Also, ensure channel separation (1-6-11 common RX?
for three devices). Sharing EV-DO or other cell service
from laptop?
How do I switch between Wireless
Zero Config and a mfrs.
3. In the AP, go to the LAN setup page: Configuration Utility?
Why can't I connect after making
a. Turn DHCP serving OFF. network setup changes?
What channel should I choose for my
b. Change the LAN IP of the AP from its default so that it lies wireless network?
within the subnet of the primary router but preferably outside the
dynamic LAN IP range of the primary router. (examples below)
how-to block ads Note: This is not a requirement, but keeping everything in the same IP range can make administration
and file sharing easier.

c. Disable or turn RIP off, if there is that option.

d. Disable or turn off Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support (if any).

4. Plug the PC back into the wired connection and repeat the process of getting new LAN IP. A reboot
of the PC may be needed.

5. Plug the AP into the router, LAN port TO LAN port directly or via switch/patch panel etc.

6. It may be necessary to reboot one or both routers but one should be able to assign LAN IPs
wirelessly and connect at this point, ensuring WiFi card setup properly.

Example:

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Using a Wireless Router as an Access Point Wireless Networking Forum... http://www.dslreports.com/faq/11233

Primary Router
LAN IP 192.168.1.1
old Dynamic DHCP Pool 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.xx
subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Will need to change Dynamic DHCP pool

new DCHP Pool 192.168.1.33 - 192.168.1.xx (for example)
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Secondary Router (our Access Point)

old LAN IP 192.168.0.1 -or any other default

Will need to change LAN IP to be within subnet of primary.

new LAN IP 192.168.1.2
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Thanks to Anav for these instructions, to GeekNJ and Shootist for their similar threads and
to SipSizzurp for additional clarity.

Thanks to Bill for this dandy example diagram. »i.dslr.net/pics/faqs/image93081.jpg

got feedback?
Here's an issue I've found that is very common and not addressed by these instructions. Perhaps
there is no solution depending on the hardware: -When you connect to the wireless AP, the default
gateway that it picks up will be the AP, and not that of Router #1. You have to hard-code the
gateway, which then starts to defeat the purpose of DHCP since it has be altered every time you
connect to a different network. Lee@Email3.org
2009-10-06 10:44:05

I have a related problem, having a wireless network but a wired piece of machinery that's outside of
the house and which I would like to connect.. but how?
2010-12-13 10:03:32

hi , i have dir_655 and dap_1360 and two wireless n series modems but my network sharing spees
is very low.3 mb. how i can fix that?
2010-12-28 16:45:37

You might mention in plugging the AP into the router, LAN to LAN, whether a crossover cable is
required or a straight one. I presume since you made no mention a straight one should be used.
Thanks for the detailed description. I will give this a try.
2009-10-19 11:31:02

Hello, I've read the instructions and found them very useful, I was able to connect my second router
and expand my network OK, but with only one problem and I maybe you could tell what i did
wrong. I now see two different wireless connection options with the same SSID, it s like if have
two different routers, and not one router and one AP. Then, another question, is it possible to
configure second router so as to be connected to the primary router WIRELESSLY?
2009-12-19 22:26:06

Regarding Step 5. (Plug the AP into the router, LAN port TO LAN port directly or via switch/patch
panel etc.), most of the other how-to's I've read suggest that a crossover cable be used rather than
a patch cable/flylead. Would you agree with that?
2010-02-04 03:57:15

It took me 8 hours to discover this article. It solved my problems in 2 minutes. A million thanks!
2010-03-15 00:40:07

Fantastic explanation it worked.

2010-03-23 19:24:46

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Using a Wireless Router as an Access Point Wireless Networking Forum... http://www.dslreports.com/faq/11233

awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! have spent hours before - with this help, minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thankss....
2010-12-31 12:56:29

I only have one router, it is a netopia model #3347-02-1002. It only works with a DSL but i have
been told i can turn it into a wireless access point or (turn off DHCP SERVICE) and then i would be
able to use it with T1 service. Can this really work or would i have to purchase a new wireless
router.
2010-05-24 14:00:56

Hi No_Strings Tried the above with Motorola SBG6120 cable modem and Prolink WH2004 Wireless
router (to use as WAP). Configuration was done accordingly but when plugged to gigabit lan port
of ethernet switch, the existing lan connected PC lost its internet connectivity. Appreciate any test
to determine and rectify. Best regards, Ocseva
2010-08-01 09:13:53

Hi, Setting channel thing was really helpful. I am now able to do this but one problem is there
whenever i configure the AP with security like WPA2, it god disconnected from the wireless modem
I do see some wireless bridge option on both (AP & Modem) but how to specify its password WPA2
Kinldy help
2010-08-24 13:13:57

by No_Strings
last modified: 2008-08-19 19:45:24

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