[Wylug-discuss] Semi-OT - Extending the LAN

[Jim Jackson]

On Wed, 10 Aug 2005, Anne Wilson wrote:

> Not really a linux question, but one that has to be sorted before I can get
> my new laptop set up with linux and Internet access.
>
> You may remember that I asked for suggestions for extending the LAN where
> additional cabling was not an option.  Of all the suggestions I received I
> decided that the best option was to add an additional router/WAP.  The
> proposed addition would look like this:
>
>      |  ADSL line
>      |
>     ___
>     | |   Router/WAP (D-Link)
>     ---
>     |\ \
>     | \ \
>     |  \ \ Other workstations
>     |
>     ___
>     | |   Second router/WAP (Acer)
>     ---

Anne, make this just an ethernet switch and there is zilch configuration 
to do - jusr plug it all together. You can buy 5 port 10/100 Ethernet 
switches very cheaply.

You then only have one Wireless access point to configure.

Do you actually need a second WAP to get wireless coverage?

>     |		---
>     |		| | Wireless laptop
>     |		---
>   Workstation
>
> I'm familiar with configuring routers, but I've never done bridging before,
> and I've been advised to keep the two routers on separate subnets, to
> avoid conflicts in any situation where signal may be received by both
> routers.  This leaves me with a few things to get straight before I start
> putting it together.
>
> Looking at the setup manual for the new router, it looks straightforward,
> except that I'm not sure what should be done about the page where you
> enter the WAN and DNS details.  Should they be the same as the other
> router, even though there is no direct access to the WAN?  I wouldn't have
> thought so, but can't see what else should be there.
>
> Then there's the problem of bridging.  The D-Link router has a
> configuration page called Bridge Filters, which seems to be a place where
> particular mac addresses are allowed/denied.  Is this what I need?
>
> Can anyone point me to a how-to on setting this up?  Thanks
>
> Anne
>