[ajbaker]

Hi all,

Since broadband is, finally, coming to Kingsclere (UK) in May I am preparing my setup so I can be up and running ASAP.

Up until now I have been using an Airport Extreme with modem to access the internet via dialup all around the house. Reception is patchy in places, esp since I am using a TiBook.

When I get broadband I need to buy an ethernet ADSL modem and router. It makes sense to buy these together, and the Linksys WAG54G seems ideal as it has all that plus wirless connectivity.

So I have three options:
1. replace the airport with the Linksys entirely;
2. create another wireless network, and join the two using an ethernet cable
3. create a WDS bridge between the Airport and Linksys

The third option is my preferred, and reading various posts around the ethernet it seems possible. In theory.
Arstechnica gives intrsuctions on doing it for (similar) setup, although using only WEP encryption.

Linksys forums say WDS bridging using WPA is now possible using this router. However since Airport firmware does not allow you to select both WDS and WPA at the same time I assume I will not be able to bridge from Airport to Linksys.

However will I be able to bridge from Linksys to Airport. And if this is the case, will the airport then go to the Linksys for its external (ADSL) traffic??

Have I missed anything fundamental. Any better suggesions?

Thanks.

[ghporter]

ajbaker, you pose a good question. I'll respond with a question: How large an area are you needing to cover with your wireless network? Why ask? Putting wireless networks together can be frustrating, not just for you when you set them up, but for your neighbors, too. Your signal will likely not stop at your walls (unless your rooms are metal lined!), so your neighbors, who may have their own wireless equipment, would have BOTH of your networks to deal with.

I'd start simpler. Get an ADSL modem/router that is wired only, and connect your AirPort base to that. Unless you have insufficient range from your AirPort base, you should do fine.

As I'm in the States, and don't have a quick link to the Linksys device you mentioned, I can't say for sure, but it's likely that you can buy that model and simply turn off the wireless section untill/unless you need it later.

As part of your preparatory homework, use a wireless survey tool like MacSnort and see if there are any wireless networks around you. You can learn what your nighbors call their networks (this helps when you name yours, and when you reconnect to your own), what channels they're on (always good to avoid channel conflicts) and how many of them are using what form of security-I STRONGLY encourage you to stick with WPA.

[ajbaker]

Blimey. Thank you for that well considered response. The area I'm attempting to cover with Airport range is relatively small. A 2 bedroom house with 4 communal rooms (bathromm and kitchen dont require access!)

While I dont want to turn this thread into a 'how to improve range' topic, I have the Airport situated in my back bedroom/office upstairs. This is intended to allow access to both upstairs and downstairs front rooms (the downstairs has patchy reception) and the rear garden. I do have the option to move it but would rather not.

(Being a very old property I suspect the thickness of the walls is the limiting factor is range.)

Linksys WAG54G

Regards neighbours, it is a fairly rural community so no other wirless networks currently. However when broadband arrives I have no doubt this will change.

I have no intenion of using anything other than WPA since I do a reasonable amount of work from home; therefore this is most likely to be the main reason preventing me from using WDS.

[ghporter]

Originally posted by ajbaker:
While I dont want to turn this thread into a 'how to improve range' topic...

The key to improving wireless coverage in a single-level floorplan seems to be elevation; by placing my access point at about 6 feet off the floor, I increased my coverage by at least 50% in distance and almost 75% in signal strength. I believe this is because the signal doesn't go through so many items of furniture, etc.

As for your setup, I'd examine how the upper floor overlays the lower, and move the base station toward the center of both. Not necessarily a lot, but just a little change is often enough. Let's say the base station is against a wall upstairs. If that wall is an outside wall, move the base station to a more central, inside wall. In your case, I'd place it on a low stand instead of a tall shelf; that should help with coverage as well.

Finally, remember that the signaling scheme for Wi-Fi is intended to let the equipment find the signal within the background noise, so once you get just enough signal to the area you want coverage in, you should have adequate connectivity. In other words, when you find the right general area for your base station, you should see a marked improvement in coverage range and quality. Further improvements will be simply tweaking the location and orientation of the base.

[amazing]

Absolutely wonderful advice on your question!

And I'm going to suggest a slightly different approach, because I had a Ti-400 and struggled for a long time with abysmal wireless range. You don't mention which model of Ti you have, but although the later models had slightly better range, none of them had excellent range.

So I'm going to suggest a PMCIA wireless card. If you get one from someplace with a great return policy, you can try it out to compare the range with the internal card. Here's a thread with suggested cards, and you will be mostly wanting to look at the cards that have native 10.2.6 and above support (no drivers needed.) One of the issues with native support is that you'll have to remove the internal card, which in the Ti isn't all that hard (it's a user installable part, so Apple doesn't object, but it does involved opening the back case.)

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=249452

The reason I'm suggesting a wireless pc-card is because I think you'll be astounded at the increased range with your present setup. And if you try a card and don't like either the range or the antenna sticking out the side (a 1" approx tab) then you can always return it provided you've checked out their return policies beforehand.