Options for connecting a wireless router to wireless network

[Roach412]

i'm thinking of setting up a wired "office" area in my apartment (where visitors can also bring their rigs and we can game in!), but only my desktop has a wireless adapter.

i know i can just go out and grab some USB type adapters for any visitors, but...i want to see what else i can do.

i've never tried it, but i'm assuming i could get another router - which would connect to my existing router, and would also provide wired connections to any machines needing it. anyone done something similar? i can't imagine that typically routers would connect happily with another router...

would end up with internet going to my main wireless router (which currently has laptops/phones/desktop/xbox/etc), from there get picked up by another router in a different room, which would provide wired connections to anything in there.

-Roach

[Mr T]

Routers can be a PIA speaking to each other wirelessly... The simplest method is to us Homplug or Powerline adaptors and plug one into a socket near the router and one in a socket near the work bench... Plug(wired) one end into the router and the other end at the bench attach a switch and run cables to each PC...

[Roach412]

i thought about that as well a while back, then forgot about it. thanks for the reminder! i'll have to check on the cost quick.

-Roach

[Mark H]

If running a Cat5 cable from the router to the "office" is not an issue, a switch would work.

[evasive]

Routers can be a PIA speaking to each other wirelessly... The simplest method is to us Homplug or Powerline adaptors and plug one into a socket near the router and one in a socket near the work bench... Plug(wired) one end into the router and the other end at the bench attach a switch and run cables to each PC...

I can wholeheartedly second that. I have tried hard, really hard, to make that one work with Linksys stuff, normally should work, right. It didn't, kept getting dropped connections.

[Roach412]

seems linksys has some pretty nice features on their new stuff - basically like an easy button.

links up a standard router with one of their range extenders/repeaters so there's no setup. since it's not really worth an additional 70 bucks or something for the repeater (and i don't want to get a new wireless router, as mine's d-link) i think i'm going to continue searching...

-Roach

[Hardware Junkie]

What you really want is just an access point.
Trying to configure a router to work with another router is a pain in the ass. You might get it to work, but it might not.

An access point would just plug into your existing network and pretty much start working immediately.
I recently setup a Dlink DWL-3200AP 802.11g Managed Access Point for a client. It plugged into their existing network (Bell DSL Wireless 4port router + modem) and began to work right away.
I had to configure the IP for access on the same network (statically setup for 192.168.0.2) but it was easy.
Once configured it showed up as a second wireless network available, so they could connect to which ever is strongest.

They also have the ability to to bridge together to create one large network if you get more then one.

[Roach412]

that would still require me to run a network cable through multiple rooms, which is kind of the point i'm trying to avoid.

there's still that option, but i'd need to do some additional work for the routing and misc concealment. if it was just me looking at it, i wouldn't care. the better half of me probably wouldn't let it fly.

-Roach

[Hardware Junkie]

I know you used to be able to get a bridge for connecting networks together wirelessly. I think its called Point to Point bridging now.

[Roach412]

well...after a bunch of looking and weighing pros/cons, i just decided to be a little handy with the trimming around the walls, and go with running cable.

i was able to run a thinner cable through the area behind the trim, and replace without any noticeable gapping/etc.

it'd be nice to cost-effectively wirelessly connect, but it just really isn't. i don't want to spend $50+ on another piece of hardware that's not really necessary - so, with a little ingenuity and a short afternoon this option worked well for my needs.

thanks for the ideas!

-Roach