Connecting Two WRT54GL Wireless Routers

I am wanting to add a second WRT54GL wireless router to a bedroom in the
back of the house. I would like to connect both a computer and a printer
directly to this. Both would be connected via CAT5 cable. The printer is a
Canon i850 printer and would be connected via a print server. I want to go
the print server route in case the computer is off, I can still print
without having to start the computer.

The first WRT54G (older version that is currently running the Tomato
firmware 1.21) sits in our living room. It currently has two desktops
connected via cable, two laptop connected via wireless, and a Wii that also
connectes via wireless.

My questions are:

1. Can I run the Tomato firmware (or some other 3rd party firmware) on both
routers and have data transfer wirelessly back and forth without problems?

2. Is that the best solution? I have seen the power line adapters but I
think I would still need some switch/hub for the back bedroom. My only
problem with the power line adapters is the additional cost, not sure what
speeds can be obtained, plus I am not sure about the wiring in our almost
60 year old home.

3. Any thought or ideas on a print server or a more appropriate group? I am
not sure I want a wireless print server. Any thoughts on a wireless vs non-
wireless print server.

4. Anything else I should consider?

Thanks for any comments.

--
Frank Hahn

"Frank Hahn" <fhahnisfake@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns9B5EA9F28FE97fhahn@216.168.3.44...
>I am wanting to add a second WRT54GL wireless router to a bedroom in the
> back of the house. I would like to connect both a computer and a printer
> directly to this. Both would be connected via CAT5 cable. The printer is a
> Canon i850 printer and would be connected via a print server. I want to go
> the print server route in case the computer is off, I can still print
> without having to start the computer.
>
> The first WRT54G (older version that is currently running the Tomato
> firmware 1.21) sits in our living room. It currently has two desktops
> connected via cable, two laptop connected via wireless, and a Wii that
> also
> connectes via wireless.
>
> My questions are:
>
> 1. Can I run the Tomato firmware (or some other 3rd party firmware) on
> both
> routers and have data transfer wirelessly back and forth without problems?
>
> 2. Is that the best solution? I have seen the power line adapters but I
> think I would still need some switch/hub for the back bedroom. My only
> problem with the power line adapters is the additional cost, not sure what
> speeds can be obtained, plus I am not sure about the wiring in our almost
> 60 year old home.
>
> 3. Any thought or ideas on a print server or a more appropriate group? I
> am
> not sure I want a wireless print server. Any thoughts on a wireless vs
> non-
> wireless print server.
>
> 4. Anything else I should consider?
>
> Thanks for any comments.
>
> --
> Frank Hahn

I use DD-WRT on mine. Having a similar setup

Keep downstairs as it is.

Configure the new 54GL as a client bridge, with the WiFi as the WAN link.
Then the upstairs AP will connect to the downstairs wirelessly, and bridge
its Switch to the Wireless, result, connecting the kit upstairs to the LAN
downstairs.

Another option is to use WDS, then the upstairs will be configures as an AP
with WDS
Advantage, you have a 2nd AP upstairs fir wireless clients
Disadvantage, you half your throughput using WDS.

"TheDragon" <Respond_To_News_only@gmail.com> wrote in
news:6osdpoF58cgfU1@mid.individual.net:

> I use DD-WRT on mine. Having a similar setup
>
> Keep downstairs as it is.
>
> Configure the new 54GL as a client bridge, with the WiFi as the WAN
> link. Then the upstairs AP will connect to the downstairs wirelessly,
> and bridge its Switch to the Wireless, result, connecting the kit
> upstairs to the LAN downstairs.
>
> Another option is to use WDS, then the upstairs will be configures as
> an AP with WDS
> Advantage, you have a 2nd AP upstairs fir wireless clients
> Disadvantage, you half your throughput using WDS.
>
Thanks for the comments. They bring up several other questions though.

1. Do you lose half your throughput in both scenarios, either as a client
bridge or in WDS mode?

2. If other wireless devices are connected to the first or main wireless
router, will they also be slowed down? I am guessing yes if they connect
and try and send data at the same time. I could see this as an issue when
transferring large files but typically, I would guess this may not be a
problem.

Again, thanks.

--
Frank Hahn

"Frank Hahn" <fhahnisfake@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns9B5F509D9BF9fhahn@216.168.3.44...
> "TheDragon" <Respond_To_News_only@gmail.com> wrote in
> news:6osdpoF58cgfU1@mid.individual.net:
>
>> I use DD-WRT on mine. Having a similar setup
>>
>> Keep downstairs as it is.
>>
>> Configure the new 54GL as a client bridge, with the WiFi as the WAN
>> link. Then the upstairs AP will connect to the downstairs wirelessly,
>> and bridge its Switch to the Wireless, result, connecting the kit
>> upstairs to the LAN downstairs.
>>
>> Another option is to use WDS, then the upstairs will be configures as
>> an AP with WDS
>> Advantage, you have a 2nd AP upstairs fir wireless clients
>> Disadvantage, you half your throughput using WDS.
>>
> Thanks for the comments. They bring up several other questions though.
>
> 1. Do you lose half your throughput in both scenarios, either as a client
> bridge or in WDS mode?
>
> 2. If other wireless devices are connected to the first or main wireless
> router, will they also be slowed down? I am guessing yes if they connect
> and try and send data at the same time. I could see this as an issue when
> transferring large files but typically, I would guess this may not be a
> problem.
>
> Again, thanks.
>
> --
> Frank Hahn

Only WDS and WiFi repeater modes loose 1/2 the bandwidth due to 1/2 duplex
working.

Using a Clent/router setup with either routed or NAT you just contend for
bandwidth with everyone else.