hdc
join:2007-12-11
Menlo Park, CA
| Extending a 2Wire DSL wireless modem/router
I have a 2Wire 2701HG wireless DSL modem/router that was proided by AT&T. The wireless has poor coverage around the house. What is the best way to extend the wireless coverage? The house is wired for ethernet so I could put another device somewhere else in the house. I tried a Dlink wireless router and I tried a Linksys range extender. Both had some type of IP conflict and did not work. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | You will have to use a Access Point, and you set it up, you will have to follow the instructions for using with a Router. Only other way, would be to run Cat-5 to various points around the house, and "tether" yourself to that point. |
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Tom Blue
join:2007-09-17
MN, USA
4 edits | reply to hdc
said by hdc  :I have a 2Wire 2701HG wireless DSL modem/router that was proided by AT&T. The wireless has poor coverage around the house. What is the best way to extend the wireless coverage? The house is wired for ethernet so I could put another device somewhere else in the house. I tried a Dlink wireless router and I tried a Linksys range extender. Both had some type of IP conflict and did not work. Since your house is wired, using a separate AP is the best approach. Most comsumer wireless routers can be configured in AP-only mode, so you don't necessarily have to spend the bigger bucks for an AP-only device. Your D-Link should work if properly setup.
Search this forum... there are several threads on how to set up a wireless router to operate as an access point. It isn't hard, and some routers even have a check-box in the configuration setup where you just say you want it to be an AP only and the configuration automatically handles the rest. But, even if it is not that simple, it is still cook-book and usually outlined in the documentation.
The IP conflict you experienced - did you just plug in the D-Link router? You have to turn off the router functions or you will have dualing DHCP servers. You may also have to assign a fixed IP address to your router that is acting as an AP. As I said, search the forum and your router's documentation for instructions. You want instruction on having the router operate in access point mode only.
The basic steps are:
LAN port on the D-Link to LAN port on the 2Wire. Leave the WAN port on the D-Link disconnected.
Connect your computer to another LAN port on the D-Link and access its setup screens. Turn off the DHCP server. Enable the wireless. Assign it a different channel than your 2Wire. Assign it a different or the same SSID - your choice. Read your D-Link instructions to see if you need to do anything else. You can assign the D-Link a fixed IP in the address space of your 2Wire's LAN so it is always at the same place when you try to access it for admin purposes, etc.
Range extenders are fussy, nasty little devices that should only be used as a last, desperate attempt (JMO) --- you don't need them at all since you have ethernet throughout the house. An access point is much better. |
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BBCMember
join:2008-01-01
| reply to hdc
Hey hdc, did you get it to work? If so, how?
I'm dealing with the same thing. Not sure of the exact model number of the 2Wire unit, but I'm sure it's close.
So, if I would like to extend the range, and have the use of the wireless network be seamless throughout the house, if I were to get the Linksys WAP54G, set it up as an access point, set the SSID to the same one as is being used for the 2Wire unit, it would work? Should I get the WRT54G wireless router instead?
The way it's set up is we have adapters that use the powerlines in the house to extend the range. However, we want it wireless. So I would have one of the adapters plugged into an outlet in the kitchen (the only place that the wireless signal does not reach), plug the AP into that adapter, set the SSID to the same one as the 2wire, and I'd be good to go?
If that did not work, then I could just plug a WRT54G or WAP54G into the 2wire, and then have another WAP54G repeat the signal, and just disable the 2wire network. That would work, right? If I would use this setup, which unit should I get to plug into the 2wire router, the WRT54G or the WAP54G? |
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scsa20
join:2007-12-04
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to hdc
Did you tired upping the power and changing the channels? My preference when setting up a 2wire for wireless is setting the channel to 10 and the power to 9, that gives me more coverage.
If you want to setup an another access point using one of the wired setup in another room, then don't get another router as it just causes more issues, instead just get an access point, name it the same as your current wireless and setup the security just the same as the 2wire, that way the access point would cover one area of your house while the actual 2wire modem itself would cover the other area without loosing connection (as it'll just jump from one access point to another).
If you do want to use a different router than your best bet would be to put the 2wire into bridge and setting up the router to do PPPoE. |
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Anonymous_
Anonymous
Premium
join:2004-06-21
127.0.0.1
clubs:
1 edit | reply to hdc
That thing has an 400Mw Power Boost
you have to go in the hidden setting to change it
but they have shitty antennas built in to them |
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DaveCinSL1
join:2007-12-02
San Leandro, CA | reply to hdc
buy either a linksys or netgear pre n router 2 wire will drop connections etc and are unreliable then get pre n adapters for wireless and no headaches |
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prestonlewis
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-13
Sacramento, CA
 ·VoiceStick
 ·Comcast
 ·Pacific Bell - SBC
·DSL EXTREME
·Vonage
·VoicePulse
| reply to hdc
I have the exact same DSL modem/router/wireless and I gave up on the wireless portion a long time ago. The internal antenna just isn't up to the job. The cheapest way to go, in my opinion, is simply to get an Airlink AP which can work in plain old wireless G mode, Super G 108 mode (or as a bridge/repeater but that's not the issue here). Of course, any AP should do the job. I do buy APs that come with removable antennas since those dinky little 2dbi antennas don't work that well. I use 6-7dbi high gain antennas made by Hawking or Airlink (whichever is cheaper) and get great signal strength throughout my house. Good luck.
»shop2.outpost.com/product/531843···_RSLT_PG
Airlink AP
»shop2.outpost.com/product/393155···_RSLT_PG
Hawking 6dbi high gain antenna with TNC adapter that plugs into most standard APs like Airlinks.
However, any AP you can find at Best Buy or CompUSA should work just fine. |
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DollyLlama
@bellsouth.net
| reply to hdc
I have a 2Wire DSL wireless modem/router from AT&T as well. I've had it for a month and specified when I placed the order that I wanted something with wireless capabilities since I have a laptop.
I have yet to figure out how to configure it. But the wireless signal is awesome. Even in the bedroom.
I just don't know how to hook up the wireless! LOL When I used the installation CD that came with the AT&T crap, it said it was incompatible with my system! And I'm running Vista. I was assured that their product worked with Vista. I can get on the internet via an ethernet cable but I'm ready for wireless.  |
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scsa20
join:2007-12-04
Phoenix, AZ
| The CD that comes with the 2wire form AT&T is crap, just use it as a drink coaster or something.
Now, you say you have a Vista laptop? If so, just go to Start > Connect To... > Find your network (2WIRE### (where # is the last 3 of the SN)) and connect to it and type in the 10 digit WEP key (also located on the bottom of the 2wire) and connect, and there you have it. |
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