[Novices] wireless network range expansion?

[John Mathieson]

WAP and wireless router are essentially the same.  They serve as a hub 
for the network clients.  Frankly, I would simpler solutions first.  One 
of these might be to reposition the access point temporarily.  Moving it 
around while adding wires will you a better idea of what you are up 
against. 

Steve Petersen wrote:

> Thanks for your suggestions about expanding my wireless network range.
>
> First, I'm not sure it's not an intereference problem.  And I could 
> reposition the WAP more radically than I have been (ie, in a different 
> room from my computer).  But it would require lots of ethernet cable 
> going under doors and whatnot that I thought it was the point of 
> wireless networks to avoid!
>
>> You could add another wap. Connect it with CAT5 to your network.
>
>
> This is where I display my ignorance of networking, and why I'm on the 
> novice list:  first, WAP is "wireless access point", right?  How does 
> that differ from a wireless router (if at all)?  Second, I think I 
> could buy another WAP (if that's the right piece of hardware) and 
> position it one floor below the current one, where I know the signal 
> from above is good.  Then I wouldn't need to use CAT5 (that's ethernet 
> cable, right?) to connect it, and then I think then the broadcast 
> should cover the house between the two.  But I'm not clear on the 
> networking setup required.  Right now my wireless linksys router is, I 
> *think*, a local hub connected to an ethernetted desktop at 
> 192.168.1.10 and my wireless-receiving laptop set to 192.168.1.20.  
> The challenge is to get the laptop to receive wireless downstairs in 
> the living room, while the WAP & desktop are in the study upstairs 
> kitty-corner.  As I understand it these WAPs are network-wise just 
> mini computers in a way.  Does the second WAP (1 floor under the 
> study) then get 192.168.1.20, and if so does it have to set up its own 
> subnetwork to be able to talk to my laptop?
>
> I know I could read a book or web tutorial on networking and get up to 
> speed, but it'd be more information than I need, I think--I'd really 
> rather just get something simple working for my specific 
> circumstances, and so I lean on your patience.
>
> While I'm asking basic questions--does anyone know if I ssh into my 
> home machines, given the Charter broadband account?  If I can, how do 
> I set up the address to do so?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
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