[harrisjamieh]

Hey

I just got a new wireless modem/router, a BT Home Hub to replace my 2Wire 1800 HG. Then I had a thought - what if it didn't replace the 2Wire, but added to it - the wireless reception in my house has always been a bit shakey (thick walls etc), so I thought this was the perfect opportunity to extend the network.

The Home Hub has WDS features... the 2Wire does not. Do both devices need to be WDS enabled for me to conenct the two together wirelessly and to increase the network coverage - ie can I just set up the 2Wire to be the main router, then set up the Home Hub to grab the wireless signal from the 2Wire and spit it back out to increase the coverage?


If this isn't possible, then is there a technical limitation on a broadband line meaning you can't have two routers/modems connected to the service at one time - what I mean by this is say I don't connect the 2 routers together, but set up each one individually, each connected to the phone jack, and put one upstairs and one downstairs. Apart from not being able to get both modems connected at the same time because I only have one username from BT, would it technically be possible to have them both connected (if i managed to ask BT to give me another username)?

I know this post is a bit long winded, but I find it hard to explain myself when it comes to networking!!

Cheers if you took the time to read this.

[SWFan]

Your initial instinct is correct, you can't WDS two devices without both having built-in WDS capabilities. Also, as far as I know there are no consumer-grade wireless products that will interoperate with each other in WDS settings. In other words, Linksys requires you to pretty much use all Linksys hardware, same for D-Link, Netgear, etc.

[ghporter]

SWFan is right on both counts. There doesn't seem to be enough of a standard about what WDS is and how it does its thing for boxes from different vendors to interoperate.