Wireless - without a router tied to it ?????

[George]

Does anyone sell just an ethernet-to-ethernet wireless connection, without
having to buy a router to go with it. (I have a firewall router between my
cable modem & main PC. I would like to remotely connect another computer in
the basement through the existing router & modem, but really don't need or
want to buy another router. (And, it doesn't seem like it should take $200
these days just to go wireless to the router I already have.) Also, there is
no easy way to get to the cable and connect directly where the 2nd computer
is located. Is there a standalone wireless receiver available that does not
include all the router circuitry and is cheaper than the wireless routers on
the market?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Does anyone sell just an ethernet-to-ethernet wireless connection,
without having to buy a router to go with it. (I have a firewall
router between my cable modem & main PC. I would like to remotely
connect another computer in the basement through the existing
router & modem, but really don't need or want to buy another
router. (And, it doesn't seem like it should take $200 these days
just to go wireless to the router I already have.) Also, there is
no easy way to get to the cable and connect directly where the 2nd
computer is located. Is there a standalone wireless receiver
available that does not include all the router circuitry and is
cheaper than the wireless routers on the market?

WAP - Wireless Access Point.

 

[Malke]

WAP - Wireless Access Point.

As Ms. Stanley said, a WAP will do this for you. But oddly enough, the
WAPs I've looked at here (US) are more expensive than plain routers.
You might want to look at using a wireless router and turning off its
DHCP to use it as a WAP. I did this for a client with a Linksys wired
router and a Linksys wireless router.

Malke

 

[George]

As Ms. Stanley said, a WAP will do this for you. But oddly enough, the
WAPs I've looked at here (US) are more expensive than plain routers.
You might want to look at using a wireless router and turning off its
DHCP to use it as a WAP. I did this for a client with a Linksys wired
router and a Linksys wireless router.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Thanks Malke - That's what my Google on "WAP" was telling me. The WAPs were
all more than $200. So I'll just plug the wireless router into my router,
getting whatever benefit my "firewall" router has, and being able to put the
wireless router a few feet away from the CPU where the antenna won't be in
the way. It still would seem that there should be a one-port wireless
"router" that's cheaper than a 4-port job. Oh well - I should be glad that
it can be done.

One more question though: I haven't seen any good specifications on the
distance I can reliably go with the wireless. I've got about a 60 foot
straight line distance, with the second computer in the basement, and the
other on the first floor. Some electric wiring, water pipes, and heat
ducting between the floors and crossing the path of the radio signals
between the two computers. Should any of the available wireless routers be
able to handle that distance through wood floors and wallboard, with the
usual wire, pipe, and metal heat ducting in between?

George

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Thanks Malke - That's what my Google on "WAP" was telling me. The
WAPs were all more than $200. So I'll just plug the wireless router
into my router, getting whatever benefit my "firewall" router has,
and being able to put the wireless router a few feet away from the
CPU where the antenna won't be in the way. It still would seem
that there should be a one-port wireless "router" that's cheaper
than a 4-port job. Oh well - I should be glad that it can be done.

One more question though: I haven't seen any good specifications on
the distance I can reliably go with the wireless. I've got about a
60 foot straight line distance, with the second computer in the
basement, and the other on the first floor. Some electric wiring,
water pipes, and heat ducting between the floors and crossing the
path of the radio signals between the two computers. Should any of
the available wireless routers be able to handle that distance
through wood floors and wallboard, with the usual wire, pipe, and
metal heat ducting in between?

Metal and water will likely scramble the signal - as well as any 2.4GHz
devices (like older/more inexpensive wireless phones.)

Through wood/plaster - usually no problem.
Brick/metal/water - more difficult and even the best signal has trouble.

Not sure where you guys are shopping.. But I see prices decently under $75
after shipping for products like the Netgear WG602 WAP. $65 or so after
shipping. It is certainly not the only acces point available either.
Linksys WAP54G for $64, etc.

--
For Pricing/Opinions/Reviews on various products:
- http://www.pricewatch.com/
- http://www.dealsites.net/
- http://www.techbargains.com/
- http://www.resellerratings.com/
- http://www.epinions.com/

 

[Ron Sommer]

Thanks Malke - That's what my Google on "WAP" was telling me. The WAPs
were all more than $200. So I'll just plug the wireless router into my
router, getting whatever benefit my "firewall" router has, and being able
to put the wireless router a few feet away from the CPU where the antenna
won't be in the way. It still would seem that there should be a one-port
wireless "router" that's cheaper than a 4-port job. Oh well - I should be
glad that it can be done.

One more question though: I haven't seen any good specifications on the
distance I can reliably go with the wireless. I've got about a 60 foot
straight line distance, with the second computer in the basement, and the
other on the first floor. Some electric wiring, water pipes, and heat
ducting between the floors and crossing the path of the radio signals
between the two computers. Should any of the available wireless routers be
able to handle that distance through wood floors and wallboard, with the
usual wire, pipe, and metal heat ducting in between?

George

I have heard that the signal is not as good directly above or below the
wireless router.