Wireless Bridging 2 - Belkin Routers

[choli0090]

Hello All,

Just another quick question. I purchased 2 Belkin Wireless Routers. I have one configured as a wireless bridge/ access point & the other one as the wireless router. According to the manual, it shows that wired computers being connected to the router, but it shows wired computers being connected to a switch that connects to the "bridge/ap".

My question is since I am going to use one as a wireless bridge, will I also need to purchase a switch or can I use the 4 ports on the back of the bridge?

If I have to purchase a switch, no biggie as I noticed the price on some of the 54g bridges were over $100 & the belkin was only $25.

Thanks

[Scyber]

You can use the 4 ports on the back of the bridge. I am using them right now on my Belkin Router that is configured as an Access Point/Bridge.

[rm -rf *.*]

Don't know what model you bought, but if they happen to be "F5D7230-4" then the ports will be connected/used as follows:

The unit configured as the "Router" & "Wireless Bridge":
-- WLAN: connected to your DSL or Cable Modem's "LAN" port
-- LAN (4-ports): all 4-ports may be connected to computers on your LAN

The unit configured as an "Access Point":
-- WLAN: connected to the Ethernet LAN port of the system it is providing access for (ie: the Ethernet port on the back of an RTV-5k).
-- LAN (4-ports): all 4 ports are DISABLED and do not/will not function.

So, in answer to what I think is your question: YES. If you want a single access point to provide wireless LAN access to more than one computer/RTV/... you will need to use a separate switch/hub (connect the Access point's WLAN port to the UPLINK port on the switch and then connect the computers/RTV's to the switch in the normal fashion).

[Scyber]

Originally posted by rm -rf *.*
Don't know what model you bought, but if they happen to be "F5D7230-4" then the ports will be connected/used as follows:

The unit configured as the "Router" & "Wireless Bridge":
-- WLAN: connected to your DSL or Cable Modem's "LAN" port
-- LAN (4-ports): all 4-ports may be connected to computers on your LAN

The unit configured as an "Access Point":
-- WLAN: connected to the Ethernet LAN port of the system it is providing access for (ie: the Ethernet port on the back of an RTV-5k).
-- LAN (4-ports): all 4 ports are DISABLED and do not/will not function.

So, in answer to what I think is your question: YES. If you want a single access point to provide wireless LAN access to more than one computer/RTV/... you will need to use a separate switch/hub (connect the Access point's WLAN port to the UPLINK port on the switch and then connect the computers/RTV's to the switch in the normal fashion).

I am positive that you are wrong. I have 2 FD7230-4's and they don't seem to work the way you describe. I have one setup as a router upstairs. It is connected to the cable modem and has one computer directly connnected to it. I have another downstairs setup as an Access Point/Wireless Bridge. Downstairs I have 1 computer, my vonage ATA, and 2 replay TV's all hardwired to the 4 ports in the back. I also use the downstairs unit for wireless acccess for my 2 laptops.

You don't need switch in this config unless you have more than 4 things you need to hardwire into the router.

[Skipm]

Originally posted by Scyber
You can use the 4 ports on the back of the bridge. I am using them right now on my Belkin Router that is configured as an Access Point/Bridge.

Ditto for me. I have my 5160 and Roku HD1000 connected to my "bridge".

-Skip

[choli0090]

The model I did purchase was the 7230. I will try using the 4 ports (I would only need one) on the bridge & see if that works or if worst comes to worst, I will need to buy a switch. Oh Well at least this way is cheaper then acutually buying a wireless 54g bridge.

Thanks for the info.

[sfhub]

The "WLAN" port cannot be connected to anything. There is no such
port. The "WAN" port changes behavior depending on what mode you
have the router setup in.

Router mode
4 LAN ports can be used as switch to connect to ethernet devices
WAN port connected to cable/dsl modem

AP mode
4 LAN ports and WAN port can be used as switch to connect to standard
ethernet devices

When I say Router or AP mode, I'm not talking about a mode of usage,
rather there is a configuration item in the Belkin config pages which
allows you to change the mode of the device.

This is the functionality for v1444 and prior. I haven't personally tested
the newer models.

[GooberedUp]

The newer ones at least through V2000 are the same.

[choli0090]

One more question, Can I still use WPA when using one Belkin as the router & the Other as a wireless bridge, or will I need to use it as WEP ?

[Scyber]

Originally posted by choli0090
One more question, Can I still use WPA when using one Belkin as the router & the Other as a wireless bridge, or will I need to use it as WEP ?

I have never tried it so I am not sure. I don't have encryption on my setup b/c the network doesn't extend outside of the house. I don't see why not though.

[JTAlberts]

[QUOTE=Scyber]I have never tried it so I am not sure. I don't have encryption on my setup b/c the network doesn't extend outside of the house. I don't see why not though.[/QUOTE]


Sorry for dragging up dead threads, but this is exactly what I am trying to do. How did you all go through the setup on your router and new the bridge? Did you set one router into AP mode? Or just bridge them both the same way?


Any details would be much appreciated.

[skywaystudio]

I setup my main belkin with ip 192.168.0.1 with DHCP enable, and the bridge belkin has ip 192.168.0.2 with disable DHCP.

Make sure you have each belkin point to other WLAN MAC address like the attached picture.

Dan L.


PS. This more recent compact Belkin does not have this bridge function anymore.

[SpaceCadet]

[QUOTE=choli0090]Can I still use WPA when using one Belkin as the router & the Other as a wireless bridge, or will I need to use it as WEP ?[/QUOTE]Belkin has fully supported WPA for a couple of years. Belkin assigns 192.168.2.1 as the default router IP address, and 192.168.2.254 as the default access point IP address. You can leave these alone; otherwise, you'll also have to change the default DHCP pool addresses.