Wireless to wired network access

[chrisgoforth23]

I am an old school wired network guy. I am new to this wireless thing. I currently have a Belkin Wireless DSL/Cable router connected to my upstairs cable modem. I have a wireless network downstairs that I would like to be able to access the internet. I dont want to have to buy wireless cards for all 7 systems that are currently connected to my Bay Networks 10/100 switch. I am have a 2nd Linksys Cable/DSL router available to me but I am not sure how to get the 2 cable/DSL routers to talk to eachother or if this is even possible. Please let me know any suggestions that you may have. thanks.

[BigFred]

Hi Chris

I am not familiar with that device but what you wish to do is set up a wireless bridge.

A wireless bridge consists of two WAPs connected in bridging mode. In this setup the MAC address of each is inserted into the other so that each WAP will only talk to the other.

Take a look at the units you have and see if bridging is mentioned in the setup modes. If so, have a go and come back here with any specific questions you have. BF

[ecross]

What operating systems are you using?

[chrisgoforth23]

I am running XP and 2000 on all of the computers. There is no option in either router to bridge the AP's.

Will I need 2 bridges to make this happen or just 1?

[BigFred]

Hi Chris

You could just try setting up the two with the same WEP key and same SSID in each and see if they can see each other for a start.

I'd set them up in the same room for a first try. Set the IP address of each so that they are in the same network eg first one 192.168.0.1 and the other 192.168.0.2 and each with a mask of 255.255.255.0 each with DHCP turned off. See what happens.

Then if they can talk move one downstairs and see if it still works. BF

[ecross]

See Building Network Bridges (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/columns/crawford/02april22.asp).