Adding WAP to existing Wireless Network

[randye007]

Hi All,

I have an existing wireless 2.4GHz network using the Wireless Router provided by my ISP. It provide Wireless-N coverage on just the 2.4 GHz frequency. I would like to keep this router in place as we have IPTV service through it.
I would like to add Wireless-AC coverage on only the 5 GHz frequency for my newer devices to connect to. Can I do this by configuring a Wireless Router to be a Wireless Access Point? If so, how is this done and what physical connections do I need to make? I am looking at getting the D-Link Model DIR-810L to do this as it is on sale for $50 at my local big box store.

Thanks!
Randy

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Yes, this can be done. Disable the DHCP and 2.4GHz WiFi on the new router. Set the IP to something that's not going to conflict with either the old router or DHCP range. Then connect a LAN cable to a LAN port on each router.

I need to make this a tutorial...

 

[randye007]

Yes, this can be done. Disable the DHCP and 2.4GHz WiFi on the new router. Set the IP to something that's not going to conflict with either the old router or DHCP range. Then connect a LAN cable to a LAN port on each router.

I need to make this a tutorial...

Thanks for the quick response!
I'll try this out tomorrow and let you know how it goes. It looks simple enough!

 

[bill001g]

That router is kinda strange. It says it supports 5g up to 433 but it claims 750m. Normally they add the 2.4 rate to the 5 rate so 300+433.

What I find is really strange is they have 2 antenna and it appears it supports 2x2 mimo for 802.11n but why do they not support 2x2 mimo on the 802.11ac and give you the 867 speed.

One important note on this device. It only has 100m ethernet ports so you really won't be able to take advantage of the higher speed on the wireless for very much.

 

[randye007]

That router is kinda strange. It says it supports 5g up to 433 but it claims 750m. Normally they add the 2.4 rate to the 5 rate so 300+433.

What I find is really strange is they have 2 antenna and it appears it supports 2x2 mimo for 802.11n but why do they not support 2x2 mimo on the 802.11ac and give you the 867 speed.

One important note on this device. It only has 100m ethernet ports so you really won't be able to take advantage of the higher speed on the wireless for very much.

Thanks for checking that D-Link Wireless Router for me. I did notice the Fast Ethernet Ports and decided to go with an ASUS AC1750 RT-AC66U instead. However it's 4 times the price! 🙁

 

[Someone Somewhere]

Or just go with a good dual band 11n router. Few devices support 11ac yet (and most won't for a while), plus it's hard to push enough data to saturate that unless you're running a NAS.

 

[randye007]

Or just go with a good dual band 11n router. Few devices support 11ac yet (and most won't for a while), plus it's hard to push enough data to saturate that unless you're running a NAS.

Thanks for the advice.
I need Wireless-AC as my current Wireless-N router is causing stutter in HD Video playback off my NAS. I am using a 2013 MacBook Air which supports Wireless-AC.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

What router? Also, do you know if it's the WAP or the internet connection? If the internet connection is too slow, then a new WAP isn't going to greatly change anything.

 

[randye007]

Picked up an Asus AC1750 rt-ac66u today. Config was super easy using the ASUS Quick Install Server (QIS) which allows you to configure the router as an Access Point. Entered a static IP that would not conflict with DHCP range, subnet and Default Gateway. Reboot then physically attach Gigabit LAN ports on each router. Up and running. I can now playback HD 1080p Video from my NAS virtually stutter free. I do hit some occasionally. The only problem I have now is accessing the ASUS admin webpage. My Modem/Router is set to 192.168.2.1 and my WAP is set to 192.168.2.2. When I try to access 192.168.2.2, I just get "Oops! Google Chrome could not connect to 192.168.2.2". Will need to troubleshoot this.

 

[bill001g]

Most people find asus routers work very well. Unfortunately it cost much more than the other one you posted. I was really hoping you had found a really cheap good 802.11ac router.

Depends what your main router is the Asus has so many nice feature I would be using the other one as the AP and the Asus as the router. I tend to load dd-wrt onto my asus boxes anyway to get even more options. These routers have so much memory.