Re: Wireless Home Network

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 16:50:42 GMT, "TomW" <twilliams24@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>I currently have a wired network of 4 computers. I have a Windows Server
>2003 box with 2 NICs and am using the built in RRAS as the router. I have
>a switch with 3 Windows boxes connected.
>
>I want to mix in a little wireless but I still want to use 2003 as the
>router. What is the cheapest way to achieve this and still use 2003 as the
>router?

What you need is an "access point". That's just a wireless bridge
without the router found in most "wireless routers". It's cheaper and
better to buy a wireless router and convert it into an access point.
1. Setup the IP address on the same LAN network as your 2003 server.
For example, if your server is at 192.168.1.1, put the wireless at
192.168.1.2.
2. Disable the DHCP server in the wireless router.
3. Ignore the WAN port. It's not used.
4. Connect a CAT5 cable between your LAN switch and one of the LAN
ports on the wireless router. You may need to build an ethernet
crossover cable if your wireless router does not have auto-polarity
sensing.

>I can buy a wireless router cheaply but is it possible to use it
>basically as a switch?

Most wireless routers come with a built in 4 port switch.
Most wireless access points do not have the 4 port switch.

>Far as I can tell, wireless switches seem to be
>targeted for larger commercial networks (hence, more than the ~ $50 I would
>like to spend).

You're looking at the wrong devices. Wireless switches are rather
elaborate devices designed for large networks. The idea is to deploy
brain dead wireless devices, and have them centrally managed by a
central switch. Massive overkill for your installation.

--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Trouble integrating existing SBS 2003 server into a home netwo
    ... let's look at that "wireless router" that was on the home network before ... What make/model is it and who is the Internet ... How to configure Internet access in Windows Small Business Server 2003 ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Mixed Network
    ... >I have an existing phoneline modem network with 4 PCs. ... >One of the PCs (SERVER), which is connected to my cable ... >I am unable to communicate to the wireless router unless I ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Connect a Wireless Router to my SBS Network
    ... think taking a cable and plugging it into the 10/100 5-port switch ... dns and have an internet connection outside of my network. ... assign the WAN settings with a static from my ISP. ... Get another wireless router, ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Networking query with wireless router
    ... I want to enable the wireless router in the following configuration: ... Wireless ISDN router living at 192.168.1.0 network with a few ... LAN clients connected to SBS computer via second switch connected ... Enable the DHCP server (there is currently no DHCP server ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: Need help understanding the 75 user limitation
    ... Have the T1 coming to the wireless router, have two NICs on SBS, one connects to the router, the other to the switch. ... You network computers will connect to the switch and anyone using these computers will have an id and password to connect to the SBS network. ... SBS2003 R2 Premium server from there it goes out to a wireless router ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)