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You are here: MacNN Forums > Enthusiast Zone > Networking > Can my lynksys wireless router join my airport network?

Can my lynksys wireless router join my airport network?
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moonmonkey
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Jul 8, 2006, 06:16 AM
 
I have a wireless network powered by an airport express, everything is working well.

I have a mac mini which does not have an airport card, which I want to connect to the network.

My question is:

Can I plug my spare Linksys wireless B router into my Mac mini, and use it to join my current wireless connection?


Any help would be really appreciated!!

Thanks,

Tom.
     
chabig
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Jul 8, 2006, 08:19 AM
 
You probably can't do this. Most wireless routers can only act as access points. You need something that is capable of acting as a bridge. For a complete answer, you'll have to tell us the model number of the Linksys router.

You can certainly do what you want with another Airport Express. $99 for a refurb from Apple's online store.

Chris
     
moonmonkey  (op)
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Jul 8, 2006, 09:02 AM
 
Originally Posted by chabig
You probably can't do this. Most wireless routers can only act as access points. You need something that is capable of acting as a bridge. For a complete answer, you'll have to tell us the model number of the Linksys router.

You can certainly do what you want with another Airport Express. $99 for a refurb from Apple's online store.

Chris

If it won't work then I need a router with an ethernet port, airport express does not have this.

Any idea of a low budget way to do this?
     
chabig
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Jul 8, 2006, 11:30 AM
 
Airport express does indeed have an ethernet port. I know of no lower cost way to do what you want.

Chris
     
Apfhex
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Jul 8, 2006, 12:52 PM
 
Originally Posted by chabig
Airport express does indeed have an ethernet port. I know of no lower cost way to do what you want.
A Linksys wireless G router (at least the common model) is cheaper than Airport Express by about half.
Mac OS X 10.5.0, Mac Pro 2.66GHz/2 GB RAM/X1900 XT, 23" ACD
esdesign
     
chabig
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Jul 8, 2006, 03:16 PM
 
Yes, but the Linksys router cannot act as a bridge without installing third-party firmware.

Edited to say "cannot"
( Last edited by chabig; Jul 8, 2006 at 06:48 PM. )
     
artlewis
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Jul 8, 2006, 04:56 PM
 
I have a related issue with a wireless Linksys (WRT54G broadband) router, just bought today.
My cable modem is hooked up to an ethernet router (also Linksys), which feeds 3 PPC macs and everything is running fine.
The fourth jack runs to the new wireless router, which has a label on the back which says "Run CD First before connecting cables". The Linksys CD (setup wizard 5.2) doesn't seem to have anything for a Mac on it.
I'd like to just ignore the cd and use the wireless router to connect to an Intel mini in another room? I haven't worked with wireless before and am unsure about how to proceed in terms of setting it up. Can anyone point me to a simple how-to?
Can I also simply use an ethernet jack for an x-box hookup?
Thanks for the help.
     
moonmonkey  (op)
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Jul 8, 2006, 06:20 PM
 
Originally Posted by chabig
Yes, but the Linksys router can act as a bridge without installing third-party firmware.

Did you mean can or can't?

If can, any idea how?

Model: BEFW11S4 - Wireless-B Broadband Router
( Last edited by moonmonkey; Jul 8, 2006 at 06:39 PM. )
     
chabig
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Jul 8, 2006, 06:49 PM
 
Sorry. I meant "cannot". It "can" if you install third-party firmware, with which I have no experience. Search the internet for instructions.

Chris
     
moonmonkey  (op)
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Jul 8, 2006, 07:37 PM
 
cheers, I will have a go.
     
   
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