How can I connect two wireless devices wirelessly via a router and an access point?

How can I connect two wireless devices wirelessly via a router and an access point?

I have a problem with connecting two wireless devices wirelessly using a router and an access point. What I do most times is run a cat5 cable from the router (with the router having a static IP, given by the ISP) to the AP, making the router give out DHCP. How can I do this without running a cable?

    Requires Free Membership to View

    Login

    By submitting your registration information to SearchNetworking.com you agree to receive email communications from TechTarget and TechTarget partners. We encourage you to read our Privacy Policy which contains important disclosures about how we collect and use your registration and other information. If you reside outside of the United States, by submitting this registration information you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Your use of SearchNetworking.com is governed by our Terms of Use. You may contact us at webmaster@TechTarget.com.

APs and routers don't normally connect in this manner. A typical AP is composed of two ports (i.e., antenna and LAN-side Ethernet). A wireless client (i.e., laptop, PDA, phone) associates to the antenna port/NIC of an AP via the standard Wi-Fi protocol 802.11. However, on the other hand, the AP physically connects to a router via its LAN-side Ethernet port, which utilizes 802.3. The router will only speak 802.3 directly to the AP, which is why the AP must convert the protocol (i.e., 802.11 to 802.3).

This was first published in April 2007

Back to top