OK network guys.....I need some help. Here at work we have a T1 service line. It feeds to a Linksys 8 port router. One of the ports feeds a Linksys 16 port workgoup switch so everyone can have internet access. Works great, but.....

several of our "not full time in the office" guys have switched to laptops that have built-in wireless network capability. They just find an empty port and plug in right now, but I'd like them to be able to just turn on and tune in.

Can I simply replace the wired router with a wireless and feed one of the 4 wired ports to the switch? That would eliminate having to buy wireless cards for all the desktops, right? Do I have to contact out T1 provider and give them any info, or will it just plug and play?

I know just enough about this stuff to be dangerous. Any help would be appreciated.

What you want is a wireless access point. It will just plug in to one of the switch ports. You could replace your router with a wireless one as well, but the easiest route would be an access point.

Your provider shouldn't need to know anything.

Ahhh....didn't know there was such a thing. Just found it on the Linksys website and it's available at the local Best Buy. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Thanks, Gene!

Just noticed the wireless router and the access point are the same price. Is one method better (faster) than the other?

No, the access point is pretty much the same thing as far as the wireless part goes, it just does not have a router or switch. Price is probably a supply/demand thing, where they probably sell a thousand routers for every access point.

Access points have a couple of advantages:

If you have a server room with everything in one area, your wireless router would end up in that room, while an access point can be out in the office, for better wireless reception.

If the access point fails, you don't have to take down the wired network to replace it.


You can configure a wireless router to act just like an access point if you want to (as there are some real cheap routers out there). Basically, you tell it not to be an internet gateway, assign it an IP address (that is compatible with your network) so it doesn't conflict with the other router, and turn off the DHCP. On a Linksys router, you then connect the existing ethernet network to port 4. It's just easier from a setup standpoint if you start off with an access point.

http://www.dslwebserver.com/main/fr_index.html?/main/wireless-router-as-access-point.html

Some newer wireless routers have 'Access Point' mode. Basically turns off the router and becomes a wireless access point. With all the sales and rebates on wireless routers it may be cheaper to go that way. Then as Gene said locate it where it will work the best instead of buried in some closet with the router.

Check this out, Belkin wireless G router, $9.99 after rebates. I've been looking for one myself and just came across this.
CompUsa (http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=300875&pfp=cat1)

Got the Linksys access point at lunch.....up and working like a champ. Not the cheapest, but matches all the other equipment. Thanks guys. TC comes through again.

Kinda neat sitting outside the building in my truck and surfing the net.

Originally posted by djw69elky:
Got the Linksys access point at lunch.....up and working like a champ. Not the cheapest, but matches all the other equipment. Thanks guys. TC comes through again.

Kinda neat sitting outside the building in my truck and surfing the net. Hope you set up some security on your wireless. If not anybody driving down the street can access your network inside your building with a laptop. Routers usually have some type of firewall in them. If someone accesses your network from the wireless side the firewall in the router doesn't do any good.

be careful about how many switches and hubs you chain together. i think 3 is the limit before there is a problem. sounds like you may be ready to eliminate some bottle necks. i'd put the wireless router first, then a switch if i needed more ports. my .02.

Originally posted by djw69elky:
Got the Linksys access point at lunch.....up and working like a champ. Not the cheapest, but matches all the other equipment. Thanks guys. TC comes through again.

Kinda neat sitting outside the building in my truck and surfing the net. Not the cheapest, but one of the best.

Yeah...we set the security system up, too. Just used the 10 key now....will go to the next level after everyone gets in the first time. Always a few bugs to work out on each machine.

For extra security, you should consider adding the MAC addresses of the contractors wireless networkcards in the router/accesspoint so only "registered" computers can use your wireless network.

U can't get enough security :)

Linksys is a good choice, works with most cards.