Newbie Access Point/DHCP question

I'm newbie to this forum and have an Access Point question that's really bugging me. I've been setting up wireless routers at home for years, but I'm not sure I understand the concept of using an AP with DHCP.

- I just bought a D-link DWL3200AP wireless access point for my business: D-Link DWL-3200AP 802.11g Managed Access Point

- My network uses Class B IPs (135.136.x.x, etc) and all are static...no DHCP server exists. So I had hoped to give this AP a static IP, and let the built-in DCHP feature provide private wireless IP's to my building (192.16.8.x.x, etc). Just like a home router.

I've been told that an AP isn't a router so it can't use NAT. So why then do APs come with a built-in DHCP feature? Places like Starbucks and hotels use AP's with DCHP....how to they accomplish it?

Wi-Fi teminology can be a little confusing because there are many devices that seem to do the same thing, but in difference in details.

Maybe theses definitions form Wikipedia will help see the differences.

ROUTERS

Routers connect two or more logical subnets, which do not necessarily map one-to-one to the physical interfaces of the router.[1] The term "layer 3 switch" often is used interchangeably with router, but switch is a general term without a rigorous technical definition. In marketing usage, it is generally optimized for Ethernet LAN interfaces and may not have other physical interface types. In comparison, a network hub does not do any routing, instead every packet it receives on one network line gets forwarded to all the other network lines.

WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS

In computer networking, a wireless access point (WAP or AP) is a device that allows wireless communication devices to connect to a wireless network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards. The WAP usually connects to a wired network, and can relay data between the wireless devices (such as computers or printers) and wired devices on the network.

WIRELESS ROUTER

A wireless router is a network device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is commonly used to allow access to the Internet or a computer network without the need for a cabled connection. It can function in a wired LAN (local area network), a wireless only LAN, or a mixed wired/wireless network. Most current wireless routers have the following characteristics:

LAN ports, which function in the same manner as the ports of a network switch
A WAN port, to connect to a wider area network. The routing functions are filtered using this port. If it is not used, many functions of the router will be bypassed.
Wireless antennae. These allow connections from other wireless devices (NICs (network interface cards), wireless repeaters, wireless access points, and wireless bridges, for example).


Hotspots use AP's connected through ethernet routers that provide the dhcp and IP addy's THROUGHT the WAP's to the client devices. The ap's control interface should allow you to designate a router with internet access as the GATEWAY IP for the AP device.

Basically an AP IS a router, with ONLY wireless connection between it and the client devices.




Clear as mud??

Thanks for the info.

It appears then that APs are simply high powered hubs, providing a wireless entry point onto a wired network, but with some security access features.

I still find it peculiar that APs, (the Dlink at least) provide a build-in DHCP function. Since Dlink's tech support can't explain how to use the feature, I almost wonder if companies bundle together a bunch of features, assuming the consumer will 'sort it out'.

-B

I am still sorting out wi-fi and networking.. have a little background in computer information systems and such. Have been studying HARD through forums and websites and such..

I have learned with all matters electronic , computational and such is that customer service doesn't serve the customers and tech support is never supportive and installers ar typically a bunch of mostly untrained goons.

Apologies to those in these trades that fall into the 5% worth a bricked router.

Was good you came into the forums, good place to find people who a. Work for free, enjoy the technology and have taken the time to actually LEARN the technology.

I can be contacted through my profile, if you wish to keep dialog. we can learn together .

From what I have gathered, it should be possible to insert a DHCP capable ethernet router between your server(s) and the client nets to provide DHCP to the downstream subnets and clients.

DHCP in accesspoints would allow the wireless clients to operate as a subnet providing a physical layer of seperation between them and the upstream net.

Hardware vendors are very tightlipped about the actual workings of their hardware. But internet has nearly made tech support obsolete. If you enter your dlink ap's model number into google

also check out the hardware threads in these forums as well.

Studied the specs on your AP , that is a really nice unit. Don't forget to keep the reciepts . Nicely deductable purchase