Wireless Networking

[agent006]

Can you...

Have two wireless access points with a wired network on each end, but with regular clients using them too.
I know you can set most to bridge mode, but does that eliminate client capabilities?

[fatsteve]

Should be able to do so, what AP's are they?

[agent006]

that's the point, they aren't yet. I'm not going to buy £250 of kit if it doesn't do what i want it to.

[Bonce]

I advise caution. The documentation for the two access points I have experience with (SMC and Linksys) clearly states that using the AP for bridging mode specifically excludes client access. So you'll need two for the bridge plus another access point at each end of the bridge that you want wireless client access.

[fatsteve]

Sorry, I assumed you had a pair.

I will agree with Bonce since that was the first error I made (a £100 error to be precise). I'm running a D-Link DSL-604+ as a wireless AP / dsl router, which is ideal for connecting to the net on my laptop or ipaq. However I also have a few servers that hang of a separate switch that are located in my garage, hence I'm using 2 D-Dlink DWL-900+ to form a wireless bridge between the garage and house / office.

As bonce states you can only operate an AP in a single mode, be it access point, repeater or bridging mode. That said, you can also have a number of AP's in bridging mode (rather than just a pair), hence if you had say 2-3 PC's in say 3 separate rooms, you could wirelessly bridge them easily with just 3 AP's running in bridging mode.

At the momment the 802.11b stuff is cheap since most outlets are punting the 'g' stuff. Should be able to pick up a pair of wireless bridges for under £150 a pair, try www.expansys.com or www.microwarehouse.co.uk

Steve