Setting up a Linksys wireless bridge
Picked up a WET54G bridge at Mamoz today. The purpose was to replace the Laptop as a bridge, a tiresome task to set up every time I wanted to play.
I'm fairly experienced with wireless networks. Not an expert, but know enough to handle most issues. I've got a 3Com access point after the D-Link gave in after 3 years.
The process of installing the WET54G appeared very similar to the 3Com: plug the bridge into the existing network or a PC then run the accompanying software. Well, no bridge found. Instead of connecting to the switch I plugged the RJ45 directly into the Laptop. No dice.
This was crucial. NHL '06 was fired up on the PS2 and I had an online opponent waiting. I was very angry with the progress so far.
I simply had to read the quick installation guide. On the last page it said the IP was fixed to "192.168.1.226". Hm. The solution was near. I reconfigured the IP protocol of the laptop to match the subnet and voila! A quick change of IP from the setup program and a subsequent config of the encrypted wireless protocol via the web interface and I could meet my opponent.
First I was irritated at at Linksys. Then I was irritated at myself for not seeing the obvious solution earlier. Then I was pissed with Linksys again. I logged onto their tech support forum and talked to a woman. I did not let her have it, I politely asked her to tell me why the bridge was not set up to "obtain IP automatically". I mean the obvious challenge is to find it among the available hosts, but hey... that's what the software are for. And that's the way 3Com does it. The answer was simple. Most customers connect to existing Linksys hardware. Hence the chosen subnet is the easiest installation.
Well not for me. With "10.0.0." this was not that simple. Not when your stressed out and have someone waiting with a PS2 in the other end.
End of the story: the connection in the rumpus room was actually too bad for online play. The Linksys turned out to have worse range than an old D-Link 802.11b PCMCIA.
Well, a nice way to spend 850 NOK.
I'm fairly experienced with wireless networks. Not an expert, but know enough to handle most issues. I've got a 3Com access point after the D-Link gave in after 3 years.
The process of installing the WET54G appeared very similar to the 3Com: plug the bridge into the existing network or a PC then run the accompanying software. Well, no bridge found. Instead of connecting to the switch I plugged the RJ45 directly into the Laptop. No dice.
This was crucial. NHL '06 was fired up on the PS2 and I had an online opponent waiting. I was very angry with the progress so far.
I simply had to read the quick installation guide. On the last page it said the IP was fixed to "192.168.1.226". Hm. The solution was near. I reconfigured the IP protocol of the laptop to match the subnet and voila! A quick change of IP from the setup program and a subsequent config of the encrypted wireless protocol via the web interface and I could meet my opponent.
First I was irritated at at Linksys. Then I was irritated at myself for not seeing the obvious solution earlier. Then I was pissed with Linksys again. I logged onto their tech support forum and talked to a woman. I did not let her have it, I politely asked her to tell me why the bridge was not set up to "obtain IP automatically". I mean the obvious challenge is to find it among the available hosts, but hey... that's what the software are for. And that's the way 3Com does it. The answer was simple. Most customers connect to existing Linksys hardware. Hence the chosen subnet is the easiest installation.
Well not for me. With "10.0.0." this was not that simple. Not when your stressed out and have someone waiting with a PS2 in the other end.
End of the story: the connection in the rumpus room was actually too bad for online play. The Linksys turned out to have worse range than an old D-Link 802.11b PCMCIA.
Well, a nice way to spend 850 NOK.
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