Using Linksys WRT54GS Wireless Router as an Access Point with Wired RouterStep by Step for Newbie

why would you keep the netopia? My first guess is that the you need to make sure the netopia is giving your linksys an ip address. Is it using DHCP.

Do you connect your laptop to the netopia? Via wireless, or just wired?

I can definitely help you with this I just need a little more info.

Try this, just for now, plug in your cable modem into the WAN port on the linksys, and cycle the power on the cable modem. Then see if your internet works on the laptop via wireless.

If this works then you just have a small setup issue and you will need to let me know why you want the netopia. I would use the Linksys first, and the netopis into the LAN port of the linksys.

Jim

Jim,
Thanks for the fast reply. First, I tried the wired WAN port connection to the cable modem and powered down the modem for 30 seconds. No luck.

Secondly, now that you mention it, it does not matter to me which is primary: the Linksys wireless or the Netopia wired router. I was not thinking it through, I suppose it really isn't important which way I connect. I just need to accomodate 8 wired ports and a way to have wireless access for our laptops throughout the house.

Let me know what othe information you might need to know.

bellaciao

Are you trying to setup linksys router as second router on your home network? If so, do the following on the second router to ensure it (and the devices attached) function properly:

1. Connect as local device or bridge - If connecting the second router via Ethernet cable, plug it into one of the LAN ports on the first router. If connecting the second router wirelessly, ensure the second router is set for client mode. Note that some home wireless routers do not support client mode; these must be connected by cable. Check your router documentation for details on its client mode configuration support.

2. Check / change IP address - Most home network routers use a default IP address setting. Often, these default IP addresses will not work in a two router environment. Check the second router's IP address value and reset it if necessary to work within the valid address range of the first router (and to not conflict with any other device on the network).

3. Disable DHCP - To avoid IP address conflicts between all of the devices on the home network, only one of your two routers should assign addresses via DHCP. All mainstream routers provide an option to disable DHCP as part of the router's configuration screens.


Instead of adding a second wired router to an existing network, consider adding a network switch instead. A switch accomplishes the same goal of extending the size of a network, but it does not require any IP address or DHCP configuration, greatly simplifying configuration.

Hi Punky,
Thanks for the help. Actually, the second router is a Linksys wireless that I thought I could use as an access point after connecting it to the wired Netopia 8-port router. I thought that would be simple, LOL! I want to end up with wired connections (as it is now) plus wireless access for a laptop that I just purchased.

Thanks for the help,]
bellaciao

Thanks Punky, I will try that next and let you know how it goes.

bellaciao

Jim, mdefalco, and Punky,

I don't know what I did but now the wireless connection works! I connected the Linksys wireless router by one of its LAN ports to a LAN on the wired Netopia wired router. Previously, I followed advice and changed the IP addresses of the wireless router network connections and disabled the DHCP.

I'll monitor it for a few days and see what happens. All of your advice, together, really got it to work.

Thanks so much,
bellaciao