Wireless access point help

[butterob]

right,

i just purchased a Linksy wireless access point and it comes with a network cable. Now as im aware, to connect this to your wired network you simply plug the network cable into your modem? the problem is that theres only 1 slot in my modem and thats a DSL slot and its much smaller than the network cable.

I tried connecting the network cable into the back of the pc but it starts a new network connection and is therefore not connected to the internet.

Do i need to buy a router to go between the wireless access point and the modem?

HELP! IM A NOOOOOOB!

[Zimbo]

It may be an incompatiablility with your modem. As far as I'm aware (and I'm not an expert, just someone with a Linksys wireless broadband router) it will only work with a modem that has a network cable output. They do a version that works with USB modems, and a version that has a modem built in, and a version that is just a wireless router, which I assume is the one you have.

[techierob]

what kind of dsl modem are you using and how is it currently connected to your computer? Is it on an adsl or a cable broadband connection?
You usually have an rj11 slot for the dsl connection and at least one rj45 slot for you host connection(s). It could be that you need to replace the existing modem and have the linksys function as a dsl router - that'll mean you unplug the current modem, put it to one side, plug the rj11 into the linksys, plug the ethernet into your lan/computer and configure the linksys through your web browser.

[Harley Godzisz]

sounds like you have a USB ADSL modem
You need to go and buy a ADSL router (some models have wirteless integrated - saves money)
Take you Access point back, and exchange it for a ADSL router.

[JonT]

A couple things you may have to contend with,

You will probably need to access the wireless access points web interface and the modems interface.

If the wireless access point is set to be an "internet gateway" then you will need to switch it to "router" or "access point" mode.

Secondly, depending on how smart both devices are they may both be trying to hand out IP addresses using DHCP, only one device should be doing that or things will go tits up, I recommend getting the modem to hand out IP addresses and setting the access point to be a dumb access point.

Getting these things working can be troublesome, which keeps me in work! If your in the northwest I can come sort it for you :p

[butterob]

right basically i have a DSL modem, not an ADSL modem...on the back of my Linksys wireless access point box there is a diagram that shows a router between the modem and the linksy product. Does this mean i will need a router anyway? or will it be a case of replacing my current modem for one that allows for network cables... if so is this easy, is it just a case of plug and play or is there configuration needed?

sorry for all the questions!

[techierob]

how is the current dsl modem connected to theoutside world? Does it plug into a phone line through a microsplitter like the bit on the far left of this diagram?

https://www.adsl-filters.co.uk/microsplitter.gif

or is it connected by a thick piece of co-ax like the bit on the far right of this picture?

https://www.ultimatepcrepair.com/files/smcmod5.jpg

The connection you're describing sounds like there's an rj11 slot in the back of the modem (a little square 4-pin phone connection). This sounds like the dsl modem's input rather than its output. What you need to do is figure out what cable leading out of the current dsl modem actually connects to your computer. Is there an rj45 (network) plug leading out of the old modem, or is there a usb cable leading out of the modem?

Assuming your old dsl modem can talk ethernet, then you should be able to plug the dsl modem's output into the input (uplink port) of your linksys.

I could be wrong though - it's hard to be certain without actually seeing the current modem. Would it be possible to post some photos?

If it turns out that your old dsl modem can only handle usb output and the linksys doesn't accept usb input, then you can get around it with a usb-to-ethernet dongle:

https://www.usbfirewire.com/Parts/rr-dub-e100.jpg

Assuming you've got all the right bits, then there will be some configuration needed once it's all plugged in. I strongly recommend you secure the connection else your next-door neighbours will probably start stealing your bandwidth

[dainesefreak]

Yes you need a router. Take the Linksys back and buy a Wireless router with a built in modem and save yourself some hassle. Oh and don't forget to set a strong password otherwise the neighbourhood gets free broadband.