home networking 102

[yippy]

This is a question that I think shouldn't be to hard to answer, but I can't get get it to work properly. Sorry if it is long or confusing.

I have 2 routers. A 4-port Linksys (BEFSR41) and a US Robotics wireless (USR8054). What I am trying to do is have the wireless router act as just a hub I guess. Basicaly, I want the Linksys to be connected to my cable modem (done) and then have the wireless router connected to wired one, but in a different part of the house (to optimize wireless coverage). I can do this with almost no configuration.

Here is the problem. I can't easly connect between computers that are connected to separate routers. So I don't want the wireless router to assigne IP address, just create the wireless access. The DHCP I want to be left to the Linksys.

How do I get the wireless router to act as a hub instead of a router, and not distribute the IP addresses?

Thanks

 

[whocares]

I have absolutely no idea, but...

If you only have Macs, & they're running OS X try accessing them with the machine names:

your-machine-name.local

 

[grapes911]

Try just turning off dhcp on the router that you want to be a "hub"

 

[yippy]

I tried that, then I never get an IP address and can't connect.

After searching through the settings/manuals and internet, I think what I need to do is use a feature called RIP 1 or 2. However, I cannot find any clear enough guides as to how to use it. Anyone know?

Thanks

 

[bpd115]

Set the TX and RX to RIP1 and disable DHCP on the wireless router

 

[emw]

I believe you should be able to set the wireless router to simply be in "gateway" mode. That's how it worked when I had two Linksys routers connected (wired and wireless). It eventually became too much trouble and I set the wired router to the side and just used the wireless 4-port router and all was easy. You may want to do the same, since your USR8054 has 4 wired ports.

 

[edesignuk]

You should have bought a wireless access point...

 

[emw]

You should have bought a wireless access point...

Always the pragmatic one...

If I hadn't been able to buy the wireless router for the price of an access point (after all the rebates, etc.), I would have. But I figured I might want to subnet my wireless network, blah blah blah. Right.