I haven’t tried it yet, though.To use as a router as a switch, you’ll need to re-assign the IP address, disable the firewall on the router, and turn off "DHCP" and the "DNS Server." Access point (AP) mode enables your router to function as a gateway for wireless devices to connect to. Gordon Mah Ung This isn’t necessary, but it gives you an extra port later if you need it. If you're upgrading your router from 802.11g to GET AWESOME CONTENT FROM TESTED.COM DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Kit-Bashing and Scratch-Building!Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Snub-Nosed Blade Runner Blasters!Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Custom Workbench LED Lamp!LEGO with Friends: Custom Stay Puft Marshmallow Man!Adam Savage's One Day Builds: Foam Ringwraith Gauntlet!This is the setting on our router, note that it's set to use the 192.168.0.1 IP address and DHCP is on.These are the settings on our access point, which uses a fixed IP address outside the DHCP range of the router.
Wood isn’t required.Patrick Nelson was editor and publisher of the music industry trade publication Producer Report and has written for a number of technology blogs. In AP mode, your NETGEAR router extends your existing WiFi instead of creating a new WiFi network. The router also must allow you to browse the contents of the device. You need a router that can run custom firmware and has a spare USB port.
He has another idea, and plans to turn his old PC into a makeshift arcade with tube TV. The switch will replicate the ports that you get on a common router.CompTutor has some specific hardware recommendations on his I haven’t tried any of this yet, but according to the pfSense website, users familiar with commercial firewalls should pick up the interface quickly. Step 4 : Assign the WAN port to switch. Read more: http://cnet.co/29l1EFd CNET Dong Ngo shows how you can turn that old Wi-Fi router into an external access point and make Wi-Fi sexy. Nelson wrote the cult-classic novel Sprawlism. How to go about it is described in the "Using Two Routers Together" FAQ pinned in this forum.

However, there can be a “learning curve” for users not familiar with “commercial-grade firewalls,” the website says.CompTutor’s hardware setup runs along the lines of: Cable modem to pfSense router and firewall combo, to a 16-port Gigabit switch, to an access point, and finally to computers.He uses an Engenious access point and a Netgear unmanaged switch. In other words, junking the puny, lame router that you may be using and taking control of your network with a UI- and feature-resplendent workhorse.The advantage of taking control of your own router and firewall destiny is that you don’t have to deal with potential built-in router security vulnerabilities from a manufacturer—it’ll be all your responsibility.The self-build is something that jumped out at me for its sheer appropriateness for us geeks, when I stumbled upon a bunch of people talking about it in the CompTutor reckons the way to approach the job is with free pfSense software, an open-source distribution of FreeBSD.To do it, he explains that you need two Ethernet ports in the computer—one for the modem as input and one for a switch as output.So, in addition to the PC, you’ll need at least one additional network card and some kind of Ethernet switch. Match the access point settings Once you're logged into the router's administration settings, the first thing you'll want to do is adjust the SSID, WPA settings, encryption type, and passphrase so that they match on both your new router and the old router that you're converting into an AP (see below for an example). VPN Connection How to turn an old PC into a router ... when I stumbled upon a bunch of people talking about it in the blog CompTutor’s How To comments on Reddit. Really sexy. But what should you do with the old router? Turning an old router into a wireless access point is simple and takes about 15 minutes, and it will expand your wireless network's coverage area. I also turned off the Wi-Fi radios—I think we’ve got enough 2.4 GHz whizzing around causing interference. This will prevent your access point from fighting your router to assign IPs. 8. ... to an access point… Do note that there will be no internet access at this point.

Using Access Point mode is ideal if you want to extend the WiFi range, but the router you’re using to extend it isn’t too far away from the main central router. For more information, see What is the difference between router mode and AP mode?.

However, you can (usually) re-purpose as SOHO router as an additional stand-alone Wi-Fi Access Point and/or AP/ethernet switch combo. Set the ‘access point’ IP address to an address on the subnet of your LAN e.g. He just needs some wood, he says.I’ve just started successfully using an aging Netgear router as an unmanaged switch for my Time Warner ISP-supplied ARRIS-brand router, so conceivably, in this Spare-PC-as-Router scenario, you could use the router that you were replacing as the switch. With this set up on your network, you can use any device to access the files on the NAS. I’ve written about The project is simply one of turning a redundant computer into a powerful router and firewall. If the security settings don't …

Note: Router features like DHCP and port forwarding are disabled while … While you could install a third-party firmware on it, then upgrade it for use as a bridge, that's a big pain in the ass and the performance will only be as good as your old router is capable of. Subscribe to access expert insight on business technology - in an ad-free environment.. 192.168.1.200, disable DHCP then click apply (in the LAN Settings page), 3. You plug the WAP into your router via an Ethernet cable and configure it separately.

Thought-provoking commentary on technologies that are changing the way mankind does things.Regular readers of the Disruptor blog will know that I’m a big fan of self-build projects.