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Wireless Bridging Question (SLiMP3 related) / PCWorld rant ( long post).


  • To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
  • Subject: Wireless Bridging Question (SLiMP3 related) / PCWorld rant ( long post).
  • From: "Anthony Livingstone" <anto@xxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 00:49:10 +0100
  • Mailing-list: list ukha_d@xxxxxxx; contact ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx
  • Reply-to: ukha_d@xxxxxxx

Title: Message
This one started a heated argument between two spotty PC World employees today which was quite fun to watch, however their level of knowledge was frightening and I had to leave before I throttled them both!
 
I have 10 years of experience in standard cabled Ethernet LAN's and a bunch of IT certifications gathering dust on the wall so I feel a little foolish asking what is probably a simple question.
However having absolutely no experience of wireless networking I come cap in hand to the experts...
 
Basically I want to connect a 802.11b Wireless Access Point to a switch on my home network in my 'office / node 0'.
I then want to connect another in the living room and hang the SLiMP3 off it via a cross over cable and in effect bridge between the two.
 
If I have two basic Wireless Access Points from two different manufacturers can I do this?
(Reason I ask is you can pick up basic ones on eBay with a good discount on high street prices.)
My simple understanding of it is the Access Point acts like a hub with two ports, one cabled via RJ45 and one wireless, hence anything that arrives at one port will / should be broadcast to the other port so this should be possible - yes / no / maybe??
 
First off it took me 10 minutes to explain why I wanted RJ45 ports on the boxes and not USB which according to them was the standard.
I gave up trying to explain what a SLiMP3 was and why I wanted to play MP3's through my stereo from my computer - 'why don't you just put a CD in your stereo?'.
Tried using an analogy and putting it in simple terms they would understand:
Side A : Office network, plug Wireless Access Point into switch in the server room - no USB ports available :o).
Side B : Portacabin 50 feet away, plug Wireless Access Point directly into one device such as HP Laser Printer with JetDirect card.
Print to printer...
 
One PCWorld 'Expert' said this was impossible and there would need to be a server connected to the segment on each side of the bridge, apparently 'to control the access point' but he couldn't elaborate on this...
The other (even younger expert!) disagreed and claimed it might be possible with special and very expensive kit which PCWorld certainly wouldn't stock.  A heated debate between them followed.
I lifted a Netgear box off the shelf two feet away which showed a picture of two access points and the word 'Bridging' between them in bright letters and left them reading the blurb on the back.
(If I get bored next week I may go back and ask them to explain the differences between a hub, switch and router just for sheer entertainment value.)
 
So to sum up - which of these alternatives are possible and what kit is recommended?
1. Can I take two bog standard Wireless Access Points from different vendors and bridge between them?
2. Can I use any old access point at the server end but need a special bridging access point at the SLiMP3 end?
3. Do I need a matched pair with this specific capability?
 
TIA !!
 
Anto.
 
PS Apologies to any past / current / prospective PCWorld employees - no offence intended!

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