Wireless Access Point? Router?

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poopdeck

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#19107 5-Feb-2008 16:26

I've got a cable modem connection with TelstraClear and am keen to go wireless. At the moment I just have a single laptop plugged into the modem directly. I've never set up a wireless network in my life, but I did used to troubleshoot TCP/IP networking in a past job (almost 10 years ago!), so I'm hoping it won't be too scary.

Anyway, I was looking at a cheap "wireless access point" (a D-Link DWL-G700AP, to be exact) and I can't figure out for the life of me whether this will do what I want.
It's not a router, right?
Does it have to be used in conjunction with a router?
I'm imagining a setup where I change my PC settings to DHCP and put TelstraClear's static IP, gateway, etc. into the wireless device.
Any idea if a wireless access point allows is suitable for that?

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

sleemanj

1490 posts

Uber Geek

#108730 5-Feb-2008 16:47

Get yourself a cheap wireless router and be done with it. DLink Di-524 for example:
http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_11362.html
will do the job just fine.

---
James Sleeman
I sell lots of stuff for electronic enthusiasts...

wongtop

565 posts

Ultimate Geek

#108731 5-Feb-2008 16:54

As I understand it an access point acts like a switch or hub, except it is wireless. You can only have one ip address connected to your TelstraClear cable modem. Thus you will need a router to seperate your LAN from TelstraClear's network.

cyril7

9058 posts

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#108740 5-Feb-2008 17:26

Hi Poop, strange name, but hey welcome to GZ. The G700AP is just an AP, therefore you would not be able to share your internet connection with anyone else as TCL only give you one IP address.

I recommend the DI-524, this is a complete NAT router, firewall, and AP in one box. It will let you create a home network and issue IP address (DHCP) and route traffic for all PC;s on the network to the Internet. I have found these to be very reliable, however some folk dont like Dlink routers and strongly recommend the Linksys WRT54GL, this comes with opensource firmware but can also have other opensource firmware loads such as DD-WRT which are very flexible.

Cyril

poopdeck

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#108741 5-Feb-2008 17:30

Thanks all, that seems to have cleared that up. Will check out that router.

manhinli

2483 posts

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#108742 5-Feb-2008 17:31

cyril7: ...strongly recommend the Linksys WRT54GL, this comes with opensource firmware but can also have other opensource firmware loads such as DD-WRT which are very flexible.

Exactly what I was about to say. The WRT54G range of wireless routers are the most famous product that Linksys has every made. Got one at home too - works a treat!

If you just want a normal router, no fuss then the WRT54G is fine, but if you want to load it up with some specialised firmware then the WRT54GL runs on Linux, so it's perfect for that job.

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cyril7

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#108745 5-Feb-2008 17:39

I may be wrong but I believe the standard WRT54G is a very much smaller processor and resources than the GL, and this is one of the features that makes the GL desireable along with accepting DD-WRT.

I have used the GL with the supplied firmware and found it to be very capable, however once loaded with DD-WRT it was very much more feature packed, however probably more than the average punter requires.

Also the supplier in the above link Ascent are excellent to deal with.

Cyril

manhinli

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#108746 5-Feb-2008 17:42

I'm using the normal WRT54G v7 (I should have made my mum buy the GL), it's very fast and simple to use.

See here for the full WRT54G range: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series

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