Using Spare Router To Extend Wireless Range.

[catmartin]

I am using a BT HomeHub but also have a spare Belkin wireless router that I would like to use to extend my wireless connection to an outbuilding. The outbuilding isn't far away but falls short of the HomeHub's range so I was hoping to position the Belkin router somewhere in between and use it to access the internet wirelessly on my studio computer in the outbuilding.

I've had a look online but can't seem to find anything in plain English! Is this an access point set up? I have noticed that some routers have an option to set as AP, but I can't seem to find that on my Belkin. If anyone could guide me through how to set this up then I would be very thankful.

Model numbers:

BT HomeHub 2.0 type B

BELKIN F5D9630-4

Cheers

[TomHellier]

http://cache-www.belkin.com/support/dl/f5d9630-4_p...

Read the manual, specifically, the section called wireless bridge.

Page 47

[catmartin]

Had a read and followed the instructions, thanks. I now have the Belkin moved out to more or less inbetween the studio PC and the HomeHub. When I try to access the connection I get "The capability of your network adapter does not match the requirements of the network." I'm using a wireless N Belkin usb adapter.

I brought my laptop out to test the connection and I am picking up the network but with limited access and the following error when I go through troubleshooting. "Local Area Connection" does not have a valid IP Configuration" message.

Any ideas?

Edited by catmartin on Wednesday 16th June 23:26

[TomHellier]

catmartin said:

Had a read and followed the instructions, thanks. I now have the Belkin moved out to more or less inbetween the studio PC and the HomeHub. When I try to access the connection I get "The capability of your network adapter does not match the requirements of the network." I'm using a wireless N Belkin usb adapter.

I brought my laptop out to test the connection and I am picking up the network but with limited access and the following error when I go through troubleshooting. "Local Area Connection" does not have a valid IP Configuration" message.

Any ideas?

Edited by catmartin on Wednesday 16th June 23:26

Are you connecting to the Belkin? Because the computer should say wireless network connection, not local area connection.

Does your laptop show both routers in the available wireless networks list

[Nimbus]

seriously... setting up routers as wireless bridges is a PITA and hardly ever works..

Save yourself a lot of pain, ( head vs wall ), and time... and buy a couple of powerline adapters, they work far better, and take 30 secs to set up..

[dtmpower]

Is there not a mis-understanding here in the terms:

Wireless Bridge - using 2 WiFi devices to link up a 2 physical networks (point to point) - I don't think many entry level WiFi routers/access points will do multi point bridging.

Access Point - a multi point connection for WiFi devices to connect to a 'network'

[catmartin]

Yes, sorry, you're right. It does say "Wireless Network Connection" doesn't have a valid IP configuration. When I try to resolve the problem it doesn't work unless I then go into the range of the HomeHub.

Nimbus said:

Save yourself a lot of pain, ( head vs wall ), and time... and buy a couple of powerline adapters, they work far better, and take 30 secs to set up..

These seem like my next port of call if I can't get this to work. Just wouldn't like to buy something if the stuff I already have might do the job

dtmpower said:

Is there not a mis-understanding here in the terms:

Wireless Bridge - using 2 WiFi devices to link up a 2 physical networks (point to point) - I don't think many entry level WiFi routers/access points will do multi point bridging.

Access Point - a multi point connection for WiFi devices to connect to a 'network'

Yes, access point sounds like what I want as I just want to connect to one wireless network.

[pacman1]

I'm no expert, but if your outbuilding has mains power spurred from the house ring main, could you not use those gismos that Maplins sell and use the copper wires instead?

eta,
Ah, here ya go. This is the base model, 200m range.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=98007...

Edited by pacman1 on Thursday 17th June 16:28

[Nimbus]

catmartin said:

Yes, sorry, you're right. It does say "Wireless Network Connection" doesn't have a valid IP configuration. When I try to resolve the problem it doesn't work unless I then go into the range of the HomeHub.

Nimbus said:

Save yourself a lot of pain, ( head vs wall ), and time... and buy a couple of powerline adapters, they work far better, and take 30 secs to set up..

These seem like my next port of call if I can't get this to work. Just wouldn't like to buy something if the stuff I already have might do the job

dtmpower said:

Is there not a mis-understanding here in the terms:

Wireless Bridge - using 2 WiFi devices to link up a 2 physical networks (point to point) - I don't think many entry level WiFi routers/access points will do multi point bridging.

Access Point - a multi point connection for WiFi devices to connect to a 'network'

Yes, access point sounds like what I want as I just want to connect to one wireless network.

but what you want is for the belkin to talk to the bt home hub, and then retransmit the signal itself to your outbuilding ?

This isnt really an access point AP, its a combination of a wireless bridge, ( that receives from the homehub ), and then an access point, ( that transmits to the outbuilding ).
Some 'access points'/routers claim to do this, but I've never successfully managed to get one working, ( serious head-wall action ).

The only way I've ever got this working was to use one unit as the bridge, and another seperate one as the AP, and then connect them to each other by an ethernet cable.

The homeplug solution, ( the ones suggested above work fine, I use that model them for streaming video/music/data around the house ), is going to be your best solution I'm afraid.