Adding wireless access point to wired router?

Thank you.

There will only be two laptops connecting to the access point - will a fixed IP be required?

Yes, for the access point.  Otherwise you will have problems if you need to access the device's web configuration/interface.  It should support a fixed IP and even come with a default one.  The default will be fine if it is compatible with your LAN.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

bol

IMPORTANT:  The access point (AP) should not come with an IP like ###.###.1.1 and you should not set it to an address like that.  Hopefully the sample address above was just an oversite but in the type of environment you will have that address would conflict with your router and make the AP impossible to access (without a hard reset to restore defaults).  The default IP will most likely be 192.168.1.### but the last number should not be 1 either by default or by choice.  Since the AP will not be providing DHCP there is no reason for it to act as the "gateway" or use that IP.

Let me know if there is a question about this.  I doubt that was the intention of the comment above but just wanted to make sure there was no confusion or unintentional conflict. :)

bol

CSHTech,

You may want to check out this thread.  

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Networking_Hardware/Wireless/Q_22981650.html

We just had a discussion in that thread with a solution for a similar question that you are asking!

b0lsc0tt, my choice of IP's was of course just an example. I picked that address because it's the most commonly used one on Linksys products. The user manual of whatever product he chooses would of course tell him the correct IP to use. Just FYI, in the case of the particular AP I mentioned (Linksys WAP4400N) the actual default IP is 192.168.1.245.
Also, if you had paid attention, I told him to do the setup of the unit on a switch or hub not connected to his network so there would be no conflicts until he can set up the device to match his own network IP range, or more likely, until he can set the AP to get it's IP via DHCP.

And as long as we're playing the "let's nitpick other people's posts" game, you're incorrect in saying that you must use an AP, and not a router. Almost all wifi routers will also work fine as an AP as well. In this example the difference would be that you would plug the Ethernet cable from the Draytek DSL modem to one of the LAN ports on the router and not use the WAN port. Then in the configuration, you would disable DHCP serving on the router. It will then just bridge the WiFi and LAN segments. In fact many of these routers even let you choose AP mode in the control panel. If you use a router that supports a replacement firmware like DD-WRT for example, you can even reconfigure the WAN port to be a part of the LAN segment and gain yourself another port for use by wired clients.
Given that you can often pick up a used router very cheap, they make a good stand-in for an AP. They also then have the ability to step into the router roll later if you change ISP's or want to use it somewhere else.

Either way, the point is that there are quite a few ways to accomplish what the original poster asked.

Tachyon_1,

Sorry if it seemed I picked on your post and info.  It was good but I just thought to clarify a thing or two that I thought could be misunderstood.  Nothing personal and this will be my only comment direct to you (just as a response to a thing or two in your comment to me).  I definitely don't want to take or distract from the question.

>> if you had paid attention, ... <<

Actually I did see it but not tell I had reread the comment a few times.  For that reason I thought it worth making the comment to make sure there was no misunderstanding.  From my experience most AP's come with a different default IP (like the one you just posted) or software to connect to the AP.


>> until he can set the AP to get it's IP via DHCP. <<

If that means a dynamic IP then I recommend against it.  I mentioned this in my first post though and explained so the Asker can decide for him/herself.

>> you're incorrect in saying that you must use an AP, <<

OK, now that isn't exactly what I said.  I am glad you posted to clarify it though if it was confusing.  I just said that "you don't want a wireless router."  I am glad you pointed out that a wireless router could work though as long as those features (e.g. dhcp) could be disabled.  Personally I wouldn't get one when I already had a router but that is my opinion.

>> Either way, the point is that there are quite a few ways to accomplish what the original poster asked. <<

Very true and with the comments here, including the followups by both of us, it should be very clear and complete.  I hope you don't mind this reply to your post to me.  I definitely didn't mean to take or detract from anything you posted and I am glad you did.

CSHTech,
Let us know if you have a question or need anymore info for this.

bo

Thank you

Your welcome!  I'm glad I could help.  Thanks for the grade, the points and the fun question.

bol