| [Help Me] DWL-2100AP in client mode I have a DWL-2100AP currently in "universal repeater" mode, connecting to a wireless network at a summer camp.
The network consists of a satellite receiver, a Sonicwall commercial router, another DWL-2100AP in access point mode, an amplifier and a bit stick antenna on the roof of one building. This reaches part, but not all, of the camp. Access is controlled by MAC address filtering on the Sonicwall router. I have no control over this part of the network, except to request MAC addresses be added.
At my end, I have, as I said, the DWL-2100AP in universal repeater mode, with a homemade parabolic reflector to improve the signal from/to the big stick antenna. Every computer on my end must, of course, have its MAC address entered in the Sonicwall router. This works but is very slow; I don't know where the bottleneck is.
My question is this: Am I correct in understanding that I can use the DWL-2100AP in "client" mode with another wireless router connected to it via an ethernet cable? I'm assuming (?) that in this mode, I'd need to have the MAC address of my 2100 added to the list in the Sonicwall router, and then computers connecting through my new router would not need to be on the MAC list in the Sonicwall router? Essentially a separate network, with its own DHCP, just getting internet access through the primary network?
If what I've described would work, should I expect it to be faster than the current setup? |
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| Have you looked at the user manual for any info? |
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| Duh, of course I looked at the manual... it tells how to set up each mode, but not much about the bigger picture... I was hoping somebody had some direct experience. |
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public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA | reply to Dana_
said by Dana_:My question is this: Am I correct in understanding that I can use the DWL-2100AP in "client" mode with another wireless router connected to it via an ethernet cable? In client mode the 2100 works as a bridge, extending ethernet wirelessly.
It will connect to an access point, with client ethernet devices connected to the 2100 ethernet port. |
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| Yes, that's how I understand it... though there is also a "bridge" mode. The main issue, I guess, is what MAC address the root AP will see in this configuration. I guess I'll just have to try it when I go up there this weekend. |
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| reply to Dana_
I would contact DLink support, maybe level 2 and ask. |
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public
join:2002-01-19
Santa Clara, CA | reply to Dana_
said by Dana_:Yes, that's how I understand it... though there is also a "bridge" mode. The main issue, I guess, is what MAC address the root AP will see in this configuration. I guess I'll just have to try it when I go up there this weekend.
The root AP will see mac of the client mode AP.
DHCP requests from the ethernet devices connected to the lan port are passed to the main router. |
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slpip
join:2011-01-09
Springfield, VA
1 edit | reply to Dana_
I think you want to piggy back the dwl to another router with a CAT cable. Connect the WAN of the dwl to the LAN of the main router. Make sure both routers have different IP addresses. Set the dwl with the DHCP dynamic/static, don't need to use MAC address. Once the dwl setup with the DHCP, it should connect to the internet through the main router. |
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| reply to Dana_
I gave up. The DWL was just flaky, sometimes I couldn't even connect to the admin screen. Bought a Zoom 4403 and got it working... client mode on the Zoom, connected to an old Linksys wireless router with its own DHCP and NAT, cloned MAC address so I don't have to worry about the main router's MAC filter any more. |
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