Did I buy the right thing (wireless-n device)

S.SubZero · 07-16-2007, 08:54 AM

I'm trying to convert the PCs in my house to wireless. I've decided to go wireless-n for the speed. One PC is done, I have a PCI card in it, it's talking to my wireless-n router, and works great.

I have one other PC to do, and this is the problem. The way the ethernet is in that room, the PC runs into an IP Phone device (which may or may not rely on the PC to function), and then that is daisy-chained to the ethernet cable that runs to the router. Because of this, I can't just slap a wireless card in the PC. So it's like this:

(router to internet)------------(IP Phone)---(PC)

What I really need for this situation is a sort of dumb gateway device, that can be configured to talk to my router. Sort of an ad-hoc network but between two network devices.

I have seen wireless-b/g devices at Fry's that serve this purpose exclusively, for making things like xbox's and printers wireless. I do not see wireless-n devices for this, and since wireless-n is still a draft spec and fussy between vendors, I need it all to be Netgear. What I did buy is a Netgear WN802T Wireless Access Point. I haven't opened the box yet, but some investigation online seems to point to this being the opposite of what I need. Instead of using it to connect to anotherr wireless network, this seems to be the thing to use on the backend to allow multiple wireless devices to talk to an internet connection on the ethernet port of the device.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of setup that can lend any insight on if I got the right thing before I open the box? I already had to exchange a network card for this, so I'm not sure I can even return it without a restocking fee anyway, but I'd like to make sure I don't waste $200.

ctal · 07-16-2007, 09:40 AM

Some Wireless Access Points can be configured as bridges, that simply convert a wired lan port to wireless. However, I looked at the WN802T manual on-line and it does not appear that it has that capability. So, yes, you may have gotten the wrong thing.

I don't see why you say that you "can't just slap in a wireless PCI card," though. If you did, I think you would then have 2 separate connections shown in "Network Connections," one wired through the phone and the other wireless. They would be assigned 2 separate ip addresses, and would function simultaneously.

Hope that helps,
-- Al

S.SubZero · 07-16-2007, 10:35 AM

The problem with the wired connection is that it runs across the hall via an ethernet cable literally laying on the ground running through two rooms and a hallway. The entire point of the wireless conversion is to get rid of that cable.

I don't know anything about the phone (it's not my PC or phone). I don't know how the phone needs to be wired in order to work, and I don't know if it can be piggy-backed off of a PC. The people who use this PC are also extremely, extremely computer illiterate and I don't want to make the PC more complicated than it needs to be.

This is a confusing situation because it would seem like this would be a very routine thing. I have two network segments I want to connect wirelessly. How hard is that to do really?

ctal · 07-16-2007, 11:10 AM

Sorry, I didn't understand that you were trying to get rid of the wired connection of the internet phone. What you need then, is an ethernet-to-wireless bridge, or a WAP that can be configured as such. It would connect to the port on the phone that is presently wired to the router. Many of these devices are on the market for 802.11g; I don't know about 802.11n or Netgear specifically.
-- Al

S.SubZero · 07-16-2007, 06:00 PM

I fiddled with it for about an hour this morning, but did not get it to work. After some constructive Google searches I finally did find a specific page tucked away at Netgear that specifically says the setup I want to do doesn't work. ; ; It's kinda dumb that WAPs, which are specifically designed to extend the range of wireless networks, can't actually extend the range of wired devices on that network.

I asked the person who owns the PC and phone to provide me with documentation so I can try to figure out a way around it. They *really* want to get this wireless (as do I) so I will be trying more stuff.

*Bofinn* · 07-17-2007, 11:20 AM

I put a Linksys bridge in my girlfriend's house (across the street from me). She has her computer hard wired and the upstairs computer wireless.

I don't see any bridge-n yet.

07-16-2007, 08:54 AM	#1
S.SubZero Vista x64 User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: California Posts: 1,265	Did I buy the right thing (wireless-n device) I'm trying to convert the PCs in my house to wireless. I've decided to go wireless-n for the speed. One PC is done, I have a PCI card in it, it's talking to my wireless-n router, and works great. I have one other PC to do, and this is the problem. The way the ethernet is in that room, the PC runs into an IP Phone device (which may or may not rely on the PC to function), and then that is daisy-chained to the ethernet cable that runs to the router. Because of this, I can't just slap a wireless card in the PC. So it's like this: (router to internet)------------(IP Phone)---(PC) What I really need for this situation is a sort of dumb gateway device, that can be configured to talk to my router. Sort of an ad-hoc network but between two network devices. I have seen wireless-b/g devices at Fry's that serve this purpose exclusively, for making things like xbox's and printers wireless. I do not see wireless-n devices for this, and since wireless-n is still a draft spec and fussy between vendors, I need it all to be Netgear. What I did buy is a Netgear WN802T Wireless Access Point. I haven't opened the box yet, but some investigation online seems to point to this being the opposite of what I need. Instead of using it to connect to anotherr wireless network, this seems to be the thing to use on the backend to allow multiple wireless devices to talk to an internet connection on the ethernet port of the device. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of setup that can lend any insight on if I got the right thing before I open the box? I already had to exchange a network card for this, so I'm not sure I can even return it without a restocking fee anyway, but I'd like to make sure I don't waste $200. __________________ -SSZ
(Offline)

07-16-2007, 09:40 AM	#2
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,302	Some Wireless Access Points can be configured as bridges, that simply convert a wired lan port to wireless. However, I looked at the WN802T manual on-line and it does not appear that it has that capability. So, yes, you may have gotten the wrong thing. I don't see why you say that you "can't just slap in a wireless PCI card," though. If you did, I think you would then have 2 separate connections shown in "Network Connections," one wired through the phone and the other wireless. They would be assigned 2 separate ip addresses, and would function simultaneously. Hope that helps, -- Al
(Offline)

07-16-2007, 10:35 AM	#3
S.SubZero Vista x64 User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: California Posts: 1,265	The problem with the wired connection is that it runs across the hall via an ethernet cable literally laying on the ground running through two rooms and a hallway. The entire point of the wireless conversion is to get rid of that cable. I don't know anything about the phone (it's not my PC or phone). I don't know how the phone needs to be wired in order to work, and I don't know if it can be piggy-backed off of a PC. The people who use this PC are also extremely, extremely computer illiterate and I don't want to make the PC more complicated than it needs to be. This is a confusing situation because it would seem like this would be a very routine thing. I have two network segments I want to connect wirelessly. How hard is that to do really? __________________ -SSZ
(Offline)

07-16-2007, 11:10 AM	#4
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,302	Sorry, I didn't understand that you were trying to get rid of the wired connection of the internet phone. What you need then, is an ethernet-to-wireless bridge, or a WAP that can be configured as such. It would connect to the port on the phone that is presently wired to the router. Many of these devices are on the market for 802.11g; I don't know about 802.11n or Netgear specifically. -- Al
(Offline)

07-16-2007, 06:00 PM	#5
S.SubZero Vista x64 User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: California Posts: 1,265	I fiddled with it for about an hour this morning, but did not get it to work. After some constructive Google searches I finally did find a specific page tucked away at Netgear that specifically says the setup I want to do doesn't work. ; ; It's kinda dumb that WAPs, which are specifically designed to extend the range of wireless networks, can't actually extend the range of wired devices on that network. I asked the person who owns the PC and phone to provide me with documentation so I can try to figure out a way around it. They really want to get this wireless (as do I) so I will be trying more stuff. __________________ -SSZ
(Offline)

07-17-2007, 11:20 AM	#6
Bofinn I'm gettin' dizzy! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,035	I put a Linksys bridge in my girlfriend's house (across the street from me). She has her computer hard wired and the upstairs computer wireless. I don't see any bridge-n yet. __________________ ---------- JimBo ----------- When in doubt, smack it!
(Offline)

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