Wireless options for this setup?

[MobileTechie]

I have a customer with a wireless router which serves his home computers. However he also brings laptops from work which are locked down and will not allow wireless connection. So he wants to have a little switch/hub upstairs that connects to his wireless network but allows the work laptops to be plugged into it via ethernet.

What are the options for this?

 

[MrUnknown]

I don't think I have seen a wireless router that didn't have LAN ports on them.

Another idea is purchasing another router and putting it between the wireless router and the internet. Just connect the laptops to that router.

 

[red12049]

I have a customer with a wireless router which serves his home computers. However he also brings laptops from work which are locked down and will not allow wireless connection. So he wants to have a little switch/hub upstairs that connects to his wireless network but allows the work laptops to be plugged into it via ethernet.

What are the options for this?

Any access point/router that allows WDS (Wireless Distribution Service) will work. I get mine through IC Intracom.

Rick

 

[ATTech]

What's wrong with just moving the wireless router upstairs, where his laptop will be?

 

[hyfidel]

If the first router is compatible or can be flashed to dd-wrt, you could get another router to act as a repeater bridge.

 

[krutoi]

you could get another router to act as a repeater bridge.

Nice link hyfidel - hadn't heard of dd-wrt.com before - am busy perusing the site right now

 

[chrisaroz]

Or if you don't want to mess with hacking a bunch of routers, you could just buy a wireless bridge that works with any router you already have.

 

[MobileTechie]

What's wrong with just moving the wireless router upstairs, where his laptop will be?

There is no phone point there.

 

[MobileTechie]

Any access point/router that allows WDS (Wireless Distribution Service) will work. I get mine through IC Intracom.

Rick

Do they both need to support it?

 

[Alan22]

I have a customer with a wireless router which serves his home computers. However he also brings laptops from work which are locked down and will not allow wireless connection. So he wants to have a little switch/hub upstairs that connects to his wireless network but allows the work laptops to be plugged into it via ethernet.

What are the options for this?

How about just obtaining a switch and connecting it to one of the ethernet ports on the wireless router, or does the wireless router not have ethernet ports? If not, just get a wireless router with ethernet ports.

Does your client want to use the work laptop(s) in various locations within the house? If so you can use Powerline Network Adapters. At least two are needed - one plugs into a wall power outlet and connects to the router/switch via ethernet, the other also plugs into wall power outlet and connects to the computer via ethernet. Essentially they use the copper in the power lines as an ethernet cable. Pretty handy devices - I've used dozens of them in locations where it was impossible to run cable and wireless wasn't an option.

 

[krutoi]

Use a powerline ethernet setup to connect to upstairs -- http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=294&name=Powerline-Networking

 

[hyfidel]

As Allan22 and krutoi mentioned, powerline ethernet adaptors are also a great solution. They run about $100 for 85Mbps and $130 for 200Mbps. I've used them a few times and they don't always like surge protectors and power strips, so sometimes you need to free up a socket directly on the wall, but they work great!

 

[red12049]

Do they both need to support it?

Nope. Just the access point/router that you will add.

Rick

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Wireless Ethernet Bridge

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WET11-Wireless-Ethernet-Bridge/dp/B000066JQU

I recommend these when Cat-5 cabling is impossible or unnecessarily difficult, but there is a wireless signal available. Even used on in my truck on an inverter when our laptops did not have wifi cards.