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how do you know if a wireless access point is working?

i installed a linksys wap54g along with a linksys router wrt54g. i put in the wap when the slowness of wireless signal downstairs got too annoying.

but i'm wondering, other than checking signal strength, how do i know if it's working. it has the same ssid as the router, obviously the same security setting, so when i look to check network availability and quality, i always get the ssid name.

can i assign the wap a different ssid, with the same security settings, and then set up the downstairs laptop to have a preference for the wap ssid?

long and short though, i just want some proof that the downstairs laptop is using the access point

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Rick Hobbs

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Rob Williams

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joemz

ASKER

should i set up the wap as a static iP, or use dhcp?

Rob Williams

I would recommend static. Making routers and servers static is a "best practice" option to assure they are always readily accessible. Fine to have clients (computers) connect using DHCP.

Titanium_Sniper

why not assign ip addresses by Mac address with DHCP like I do so the servers get the same IP every time they renew.

also you may run into issues having 2 dhcp servers on one network and after a week of perfect working half your network could stop working.

that happened at school ;) but it was an english teacher not me great prank idea though

Rob Williams

Thanks joemz,
--Rob

Rick Hobbs

Thanks joemz, glad to be of help.

RIck