benn600

I have a few important concerns that I'd like to be addressed. I got 2 new Linksys wireless-B routers a few days ago and hooked them up, replacing one of my older, earlier version routers. One of these is connected to my DSL modem but the other is just being used as a wireless access point. First, what is the difference between an access point and a router w/wireless? It appears as if the device without the router has additional features such as that it can function as a repeater.

Also, my HX4700 continually connects and disconnects to both of these and it is very annoying. This may be because I am in between the two and they have nearly the same signal strength, but it is still annoying and I'd like to know what I should do to solve this problem. Is the Zero Config causing the problems?

Finally, are there any special settings I need to set on my routers to make them work better or work more efficiently together? I have been having some problems where my internet will just stop working and I am required to unplug the router w/internet and plug it back in, which solves the problem every time. Any ideas on the problem here?

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whitelyt

Originally Posted by benn600

I have a few important concerns that I'd like to be addressed. I got 2 new Linksys wireless-B routers a few days ago and hooked them up, replacing one of my older, earlier version routers. One of these is connected to my DSL modem but the other is just being used as a wireless access point. First, what is the difference between an access point and a router w/wireless? It appears as if the device without the router has additional features such as that it can function as a repeater. Also, my HX4700 continually connects and disconnects to both of these and it is very annoying. This may be because I am in between the two and they have nearly the same signal strength, but it is still annoying and I'd like to know what I should do to solve this problem. Is the Zero Config causing the problems? Finally, are there any special settings I need to set on my routers to make them work better or work more efficiently together? I have been having some problems where my internet will just stop working and I am required to unplug the router w/internet and plug it back in, which solves the problem every time. Any ideas on the problem here?

The largest difference between a WAP and a wifi router is the functionality of each. A wifi router typically has integrated firewall capabilities including the ability to filter TCP ports. Also VPN tunnelling is supported on quite a few. You'll also find that wifi routers may also have integrated 4+ port switch which allows you to connect multiple computers to a single wifi router. Wifi routers typically also do everything a WAP does. A dedicated WAP on the other hand cannot be used as a broadband routing device. You would typically connect it to an existing wired LAN that may already have a broadband connection. There are other differences as well.

With your two wifi devices, make sure that you are using two different channels.

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benn600

Are you supposed to use different channels? I am not sure if this is true or not because I was reading that roaming is commonly used and it sounded like you use the same SSID and Channel, but I could be wrong. So are you saying that I should use a different channel?

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ikehiker

It depends on how you are using it. I think if you use it as a repeater, it would be on the same channel but if you try using it as a separate access point (the router also includes an access point), the signals would conflict and you'd have trouble maintaining a connection with either. (I say 'think' above because I've never tried setting up two APs in the same area, either as separate networks or as a repeater).

P.S. There is an answer to your original question in the WiFi FAQ linked from my signature, slightly different but with the same basic information as Ted provided.

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Kenundrum

the channelling is dependant on how you want to use them. ikehiker does have a good wifi guide. here's my take...

you can have a wifi router or a wireless access point, they both have the wireless AP functionality that you need to set up roaming.

APs that are not connected to a wired network must function as repeaters. repeaters must be set up on the same SSID, encryption, and channel for them to properly work. the best way to set up repeaters is to have them in range of another AP/repeater but near the edge of that range that way you get as much as possible out of it. repeaters only offer range extension away from the base station.
if you set up an AP connected to the wired network, you can set it up with the same SSID, same encryption, but a different channel and you get the full 100meters in all directions. Roaming works as well.

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benn600

I changed the beacon interval from .1sec to 10sec, which solved problem w/.25sec chane (on ipaq...slow typing)

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