OT: Linksys router

I got the Linksys N routers and so far I like them.

Steve

Call them back, explain that previous support recommendation did not work, and request to speak to someone in second-level support. Repeat request as needed until successful. Second-level support is likely based in the US, and likely much more helpful as well.

What problem are you having? I have three access points on my network, a WRT54G as my main router at one end of the house, a WRT54G in the shop acting as just a local Ethernet switch and wireless access point, and another Linksys access point (only) at the other end of the house. Linksys has a whitepaper on their site about using a router as just an access point. Basically you disable DHCP and make a couple other settings. The network connects to one of the local switch ports, not the WAN/Internet port which is left unconnected.

Pete C.

Dump the linksys firmware with this

the later WRT54G has less memory than the older one, so use the micro version, there are guides for putting the micro version on that 'crippled' newer linksys.

this also allows you to up the power setting a bit too.

and read these articles

** mike **

Can you pull ethernet cable to the shop?

i

Since you've seen my setup, I was hoping you would jump in.

Internet connection is on the end of the house opposite the shop, downstairs. Laptop works fine anywhere on that floor. Desktop wired in same room as router. I have cable run to an upstairs desktop on the end of the house nearest shop. I want to use that cable to connect the two routers and connect the upstairs desktop to the second router.

Because the antennas are not replaceable on the new router, I thought I should use it as #1. I can't even get it configured to operate by itself. It won't recognize my internet connection. I haven't gotten far enough to encounter problems with setting up #2.

I'm unclear on this "The network connects to one of the local switch ports, not the WAN/Internet port which is left unconnected." The cable would connect to a switch port on #1 and the internet port on #2?

--Andy Asberry--

------Texas-----

when daisy chaining from one port to another, things work differently - you need a crossover cable or a crossover port if I recall correctly - try using the WAN port, that ought to work, but it may be slower

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I would expect that it should look like this:

(internal connections)

| | | | | | | | | +--[hub]---+ | | | | | | | | | | | +-------+ +-------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------+ +-------+ | | EXTERNAL (Not connected)

If you have a hub between them, use standard cables. If not, use a crossover cable - as William says.

Your comment "The cable would connect to a switch port on #1 and the internet port on #2?" sounds all wrong.

Yep, that looks pretty much correct. Either a hub, switch or crossover type cable between the two routers.

You have to realize that the router is essentially three separate devices in one package to really see how things are working. When you add another router acting as a local switch and access point you bypass the router portion of the second router. Something like this:

Primary router:

WAN/Internet port------>[Router]--------->[6 port switch][Router]-------->)[6 port switch]

Nearly all hubs are actually network switches now even if we still (incorrectly) refer to them as hubs. Nearly all switches INCLUDING those built into routers etc. are auto-sensing for both speed and crossover. The only time you actually *NEED* a crossover cable is if you are hooking up directly two ports that dont have a built in hub, eg lan card to lan card. Just plug the devices together with standard cables (as shown above) and if the link status light comes on green (sometimes its yellow for a 10 megabit link if hooking up 10 megabit kit to a 100 megabit switch) at both ends you've got a working physical connection and it has sorted out crossover etc. for itself. No green light: try a known good cable, then try a crossover cable.

I can say for certain that every bit of Netgear, Linksys, 3Com or Draytek kit WITH PORTS FOR MORE THAN ONE PC, that I've used in recent years works this way. Older kit used to have (usually) one port that you could switch to crossover.

NO. A "switch" does not need a twisted cable - only an old technology HUB. Only an internet feed goes to the WAN. everything else goes "peer to peer" on the lan ports.

Incorrect, there are many switches in use that do not have an auto crossover function. Auto speed negotiation has been around for a long time, auto crossover more recent.

The Linksys router/switch in question may well have an auto crossover function, but auto crossover is by no means automatically present because a device is a switch, not a hub.

Most importantly, a crossover cable will work properly in either case, where a non crossover cable will only work if the switch has an autocrossover function.

In some cases the WAN port will be used with other than an Internet feed as well. The Linksys whitepaper on cascading routers makes note of this and gives some explanation of the differences.

Pete C.

Pete, can you point me to this whitepaper? I've stumbled all over Linksys' site and don't see anything about cascading.

--Andy Asberry--

------Texas-----

Not a white paper but check this URL...

The secondary router is turned into an access point and the WAN port is not used.

Here is another that gives directions on how to turn a router into an access point. You will need to determine if the cable should be normal or crossover.

From my other response:

If that link doesn't work, go to the support page for the WRT54G and look for the like to "Cascading (connecting) a second Linksys router to another Linksys router)"

Pete C.

Neither of your links refer to Linksys equipment. There is free software to flash the WRT54G router, to convert it to an access point but its at your own risk.

Best Buy has the Linksys WAP54G Wireless Access Point for $79.95. in stock at some stores now. It looks to be on sale for $71.99 right now.