"Jeff Liebermann" <jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote in message
news:p888g2hd06tborhaqntfin4brje2s9kjt4@4ax.com...
> "Neil - Salem, MA USA" <Neil@Salem.Massachusetts.USA> hath wroth:
>
>>Can anyone suggest an Access Point or Bridge that will do what I want.
>>Essentially, I want a "AccessPoint/Bridge" that can bridge LANs and can
>>also
>>simultaneously behave like an Access Point.
>
> That's the exact description of a WDS (wireless distribution service)
> bridge. It can simultaneously act as an access point for client
> connections, and a bridge for a backhaul to the main router. See:
> | http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2004/0...to_wds_bridge/
> (10 pages) for how it's setup and how it works.
>
> You will need to buy two identical units that support WDS or do some
> experimentation with compatibility between different manufacturers
> implimentations of WDS. I can't tell if you current own or are
> planning on purchasing a Netgear WG-302, but it should work as it
> supports WDS. I kinda like WRT54G/GS with DD-WRT v23 replacement
> firmware which supports WDS.
>
> The WG-302 is an access point:
> |
> http://www.netgear.com/Products/Brid...nts/WG302.aspx
> and will therefore plug into your existing system using your existing
> unspecified router. However, if you elect to use a wireless router
> for this application, you can replace your existing unspecified router
> with the the new wireless router, and configure the 2nd wireless
> router as an access point. Whatever works.
>
> Of course, you will need to verify that you can get a decent wireless
> signal between the two WDS bridge boxes between floors to the
> basement. That's not a simple as it sounds as you may need to make
> some compromises in antenna location between coverage across a floor,
> versus coverage between floors. Reading between the lines, you might
> be trying to go between multiple floors which might be difficult.
>
> If you can't get a signal between floors, then you can use existing
> power line networking, CATV coax, or phone line networking as a
> backhaul instead of WDS. For example:
> |
> http://www.netgear.com/Products/Brid...Extenders.aspx
> | http://www.multilet.com
> | http://www.homepna.org
> | http://www.homeplug.org
> etc...
>
> --
> Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
> 150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
> Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
> Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

Thank you for giving me such wonderful feedback. After I read your reply, I
went back to the Netgear WG302 and discovered that there have been two
different versions of the unit. The Reference Manual for version 2 clearly
allows for Client Associations while in bridging mode.