The Site > Old Forums > Qwest > Actiontec GT701-WG as Access Point?

reply to caseydoug

Re: Actiontec GT701-WG as Access Point?

Regarding transparent bridge mode, it doesn't matter. I tried it, and it works fine. But so long as DHCP is turned off, the other modes work fine too.

On the other topic, when I said auto-sensing, I was referring to the Actiontec's Ethernet port. However, your point is well taken. The ports on my switch, a Netgear FS-116, are all auto-sensing. I suppose the auto-sensing feature could be somehow defective on the two upstairs ports I tried. That would also cause the behavior I saw.

Mike, I tried to set up a configuration somewhat like the one you described, but I couldn't make it work. I turned off the radio in my laptop, then connected via Ethernet to my wireless cable modem, leaving the Actiontec on and connected by wire to my router. I could connect to the cable modem, but I couldn't get through it to anything else on my network.

I understand that your desired configuration is different. You essentially want to use the Actiontec as a wireless Ethernet card. I'm not too confident that would work either. Of course, the simpler thing would be to go out and buy a cheap wireless card -- even a USB card -- for the computer in the far room. But that would deprive you of the opportunity to tinker with the Actiontec. :>)

Yes, I have been tickering, the main reason of course, and haven't been able to get it to work. The reason isn't for this particular laptop. (It has a wireless card). My purpose would be two fold. 1st: To make the actiontec into a repeater of sorts. 2nd: To allow a non-wireless device like a Security IP web cam, a voip adapter, a network printer, etc... have the ability to be placed in an area that doesn't have ethernet cable running to it. This is sort of what I thought you were originally trying to do. I don't think it can be done, but I have always respected msj's opinions and expertise. If he responds that it "Should" work, I'll keep tinkering. Thx... Later... Mike...

Regarding the ports, the ethernet port on the Actiontec is not autosensing, so the other end has to be autosensing for the connection to work with either type of cable. Otherwise you need to have the correct cable depending on your wiring and switch configuration.

As far as Mikes desired configuration, I thought some more about this and realized that it won't work in reverse in the particular case mentioned. This has nothing to do with the bridging in the Actiontec, but instead is an issue with the wireless setup. 802.11b and 802.11g have two different modes of wireless operations: Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure. Ad-Hoc mode is able to support peer-to-peer wireless, i.e. it would allow two laptops to connect directly to eachother without having a wireless AP to make the connection. Most laptop wireless devices (PC cards or built in) allow you to choose either Ad-Hoc mode or Infrastructure mode. Infrastructure mode is more like client/server. laptops are clients and wireless AP's and routers are servers. Most wireless AP's and routers do not allow you to put them into Ad-Hoc mode, or to put them in Infrastructure mode as a client. They usually only run in Infrastructure mode as a server.

What this means is that two wireless devices that are running in Infrastructure mode as a server, i.e. the Actiontec and the wireless in your other wireless router won't talk to each other.

Now, I believe this limitation is in the firmware and could possibly be changed with custom firmware. I believe OpenWRT for the Linksys WRT54g allows you to put the wireless in Ad-Hoc mode.

So, in summary, what caseydoug wants to do does work. What Mike wants to do won't work, unless the other end of the wireless connection is something running Infrastructure mode as a client (i.e. a laptop), which probably isn't a real practical solution.

Mike, I believe Linksys makes a wireless Ethernet bridge (WET54G) that will do what you want. It's under $100.

msj, that was a helpful explanation, and is certainly consistent with what I've been seeing.

FWIW, the Actiontec has been working great in its new role. Much quicker in connecting my laptop to the network than the cable modem I was using, and more stable. It covers everything in a fairly large house; I haven't tried going outside -- Seattle has been in a deluge the last few days.

Yea, I'm familiar with wireless ethernet bridges. I was just hoping, by the way we were talking, that the 701 could be used in such a fashion. It's always nice to recycle used parts. I've got too many parts floating around. Well, it was a nice thought.

While I didn't think what I was looking at could be done, I did learn that making the 701 into an AP isn't that difficult. I don't really have a need for an AP, but it's good to see some additional uses for it. Thx again... Later... Mike....