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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : AP and networking questions....
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9305 |
Howdy.  In my current setup, everything is hard-wired via CAT6 and suitable switches etc. I now need to move to a rental property, and so I CAN'T run cables everywhere I want, so I have to use more wireless stuff. What I want to do, is REPLACE hard-wired cable runs, with wireless links. I was thinking that perhaps AP's can do that for me, if you put them into a suitable mode of operation. Yes? No? These wireless links only need to be point-to-point, and they DON'T need access to the internet - I am just wanting to replace the cables, with wireless stuff so that the landlord won't get upset about running physical cables. Can anyone suggest anything? Can pretty much any AP be made to function like that? Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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TassyJim Guru  Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6093 |
Assuming you are not moving into a mansion, a single AP central to the equipment should do the job. My preference is to have the AP configured as a DHCP server and dish out fixed IPs. There is also Ethernet over powerline. Not my preferred way to go but it does work if your house is wired single phase. An option if your devices can't do WiFi. If you need something long range I use these https://mikrotik.com/product/sxtsq_5_ac If you are thinking of using APs at each device to do Ethernet to WiFi, I think you need to look at 'mesh'. I am too old to know much about 'mesh' Jim Edited 2024-10-02 15:55 by TassyJim VK7JH MMedit MMBasic Help |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9305 |
That sounds ideal.  So.... FIBER IN-->ONT-->ROUTER - this is the standard arrangement. From there: ROUTER-->AP setup as a DHCP server. Yes? Therefore, any other wireless-enabled PC's should be able to see the network, but not the internet - yes? EDIT: Oh, BTW, I should also mention that several boxes have STATIC IP addresses(all IPv4, NO IPv6). These are setup in the current wired network router, so that those IP addresses cannot be assigned via DHCP. Edited 2024-10-02 16:12 by Grogster Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6093 |
your router will have DHCP but if you prefer static IPs, that is OK. I assume that your router has WiFi so another AP not needed for that. If you need a Ethernet to WiFi, search for WiFi client bridge. The WiFi has to be configured as a client so it can connect back to the main router/AP. Not all APs can do Client mode. As far as seeing the internet, with fixed IPs, just don't configure the gateway address. Jim VK7JH MMedit MMBasic Help |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9305 |
Well, as I am about to move, I have no idea WHAT router the new company will supply me with. It could be anything. It will be a common brand though. GATEWAY ADDRESS: Hell yes!!! WHY did I not think of that?!?!??!!! (rhetorical!) I have done that before - should have remembered that!  EDIT: So, Jim....you're saying that the WiFi router can ALSO act as an AP at the same time? Edited 2024-10-02 18:12 by Grogster Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6093 |
I would be surprised if the new router doesn't have WiFi as well as a few Ethernet ports. The WiFi is your AP. If all of your PC's etc have WiFi or able to talk to a USB WiFi, that is all you need. You will have to work out how to change the new routers LAN addresses to match your old one or you will be changing the fixed IPs to match the new range. You might need a WiFi extender. Don't try to complicate things unless you have to. I should add a disclaimer. I know sod all about the current offerings out there in the retail world. I know sod all about the terminology used in the sales pitches. Jim VK7JH MMedit MMBasic Help |
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PeteCotton Guru Joined: 13/08/2020 Location: CanadaPosts: 367 |
I don't know if it helps, but I use this Deco M5 WiFi Mesh and it works great. https://www.tp-link.com/ca/home-networking/deco/deco-m5/ So it's not a range extender for your existing WiFi network, it's a completely new/separate WiFi network. You can leave your router/modem WiFi network on if you want as well - you'll just have two WiFi SSIDs to chose from. I turned mine off for simplicity. It comes as three or more M5 pucks. You plug the first one (hardwired) into your router, and then I believe you can just place the other two around your house and they will automatically extend the WiFI network. I say "believe", because in my house I have them all hardwired back to a switch in the basement - so I have a slightly different setup. But they work pretty seamlessly and I've never had a problem with them. You only see one WiFi Network (SSID) and devices switch automatically between the Mesh pucks as you move around the house. I suspect that out of the box it has a DHCP server enabled. I'm not sure, either way it's turned off on mine and the IP addresses are serviced by the Modem/router. Now, I've had mine for years - so there may well be a newer/better version out there - but that's my experience with them. |
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Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6768 |
Want Pi with it? https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/raspberry-pi-access-point https://www.raspberrypi.com/tutorials/host-a-hotel-wifi-hotspot/ Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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