Mixing an 11g router and an 11b router on same network

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tonyhughes

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#5794 26-Nov-2005 17:35

I have a DLINK DSLG804T 802.11g ADSL+Wifi and a Netgear MR814 802.11b (both are 4 port ethernet).

I have a working setup with the DLINK with one client pc on 11g (reaching 36Mbit from quite some distance) and one client pc with an 11b card reaching 11Mbit (im quite happy that the 11b client does not drag the whole network down to 11b speeds). (Plus an Apache)

Can I add the Netgear router into the mix to extend the range of my WiFi, so that I have really good signal at both ends of my property?

If so, can the link between the two routers be via WiFi, or will I have to run a cable?

Would this drag my network speed down (i.e. force the 11g client(s) down to 11Mbit) ?

Can I run WPA on one and WEP on the other? (Both can do WPA but my 11b client cant - should i just buy a new PCI 11g card to replace it?)

Is the SSID going to be the same for both?

Any other pitfalls or tips/tricks anyone can lend?

What are the security considerations here?

At the moment I am using no encryption at all due to config problems with the DSE 11b card I have. I have turned MAC address allow list on so other devices cant connect. Is this secure?

tonyhughes

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#23914 26-Nov-2005 18:36

"It is also possible for a dedicated hacker to "spoof" a MAC address, by intercepting valid MAC addresses and then programming his or her computer to broadcast using one of those. Despite that, for small network installations, using a MAC filtering technique can a be very effective method to prevent unauthorized access. "

Hmmmm... so for basic home use MAC filtering is okay, but for geek factor and real security, WPA is the way to go?

Sooner Al

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#23950 28-Nov-2005 00:41

When adding a second wireless access point/router see this page...

http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/11233

...then...

Set the SSID the same on each access point/router. Change the SSID from the default to something unique.

Broadcast the unique SSID. Cloaking your SSID, ie. not broadcasting the SSID, is not a valid security measure. Tools like Kismet can easily discover a cloaked SSID.

Use a different transmit/receive channel on each access point/router. I suggest Channel 1 on one and a high number, ie. Channel 11 here in the US, on the other.

Change the admin password on each access point/router to something other than the default. Use a strong password.

Disable, if available, the function that allows you to configure the access point/router from a wirelessly configured desktop/laptop/PDA/etc.

Use WPA at a minimum of your hardware supports it. MAC Address Authentication can be easily spoofed. If one client can only do WEP then you can either...Only run WEP on your network, I would advise against this, or upgrade the client hardware so it can do WPA. Of course the latter option is dependent on your budget, etc... If you do run only WEP then at a minimum do 128-bit WEP...

802.11b/g devices will be able to connect to both the 802.11b/g and 802.11b access point/router, while 802.11b devices will only be able to to connect to the 802.11b/g access point/router if it is running in a mixed 802.11b/g mode or an 802.11b only mode.

802.11b/g devices will drop to the lower speed with connecting to the 802.11b access point/router.

If both 802.11b/g and 802.11b devices are connected to an 802.11b/g access point/router you may, or may not, see the 802.11b/g devices connection speed drop. You may not really see a noticeable difference on a home network with a limited number of wireless clients.

For additional wireless network security help see this FAQ from the Broadband Reports Wireless Security forum.

http://www.broadbandreports.com/faq/wifisecurity

As far as connecting the two access point/routers together a cable is best. AFAIK WDS will not work between access point/routers of different makes or between 802.11b/g and 802.11b access point/routers. I don't do that so the best I can say is to run a cable between your two devices and/or see this page...

http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Sections-article78-page1.php

------

"When all else fails, read the instructions..."

Al Jarvi

MS-MVP Windows Networking (http://mvp.support.microsoft.com)

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights...

tonyhughes

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#23975 28-Nov-2005 12:59

What a star - thanks...