aebs bridging with linksys wrt54g

[bagac]

I have an aebs and a linksys wrt54g router. will the two work together so that i can extgend the range of my wrt54g router? Can anyone help me configure my routers.... if that is possible to bridge them together?

[Edited on 6-15-2004 by bagac]

[ginoledesma]

I've noticed that the wireless access points in most wireless routers do not allow acting as "bridge modes," unlike stand-alone versions. If you can get either one of them to work in "bridge mode," then it may be possible.

[Henjie]

Originally posted by bagac
I have an aebs and a linksys wrt54g router. will the two work together so that i can extgend the range of my wrt54g router? Can anyone help me configure my routers.... if that is possible to bridge them together?

Short answer is no. Long answer is theoretically possible, but highly unlikely.

First off, the AirPort Extreme Base Station only supports bridging to another AirPort Extreme Base Station.

The Linksys WRT54G officially doesn't have bridging capabilities. There's a hacked firmware floating around that gives it the ability to act as a bridge (Google for "sveasoft" + "wrt54g" ) but even with the hacked firmware installed, there's still no guarantee that it'll work with the AEBS.

Interoperability between different brands of routers/access points (as far as bridging is concerned) isn't guaranteed because WDS (Wireless Distribution System, aka bridging) is not a part of the 802.11x standard. This led to manufacturers having their own implementation/standard for bridging, so Linksys' "WDS" can be completely incompatible with D-Link's or Netgear's, etc.

If it's possible for you to use your AEBS as the main router in your current setup, how about selling off your WRT54G and buying an AirPort Express when it becomes available in July? AirPort Express can extend the range of an AEBS-equipped Wi-Fi network. Not to mention you're getting AirTunes and wireless USB printer sharing. :-)


~Henjie

[Edited on 6-15-2004 by Henjie]

[bagwis]

What if we connect the AEBS to one of wrt54g's ports? Would that work?

And are there AEBS's available here that don't have the built-in modem?

Sorry for the ignorance.:wound:

[danieldy]

Originally posted by bagwis
What if we connect the AEBS to one of wrt54g's ports? Would that work?

And are there AEBS's available here that don't have the built-in modem?

Sorry for the ignorance.:wound:

That would work, but you would just be using the access point feature of the AEBS, something the aiport extreme does, at a cheaper price.

Then again, something all wireless access points do, at an even cheaper price.

[Henjie]

Originally posted by danieldy

Originally posted by bagwis
What if we connect the AEBS to one of wrt54g's ports? Would that work?

That would work, but you would just be using the access point feature of the AEBS, something the aiport extreme does, at a cheaper price.

Then again, something all wireless access points do, at an even cheaper price.

Yup, Daniel's right. You're basically using an expensive router to act as an access point. Not a practical solution. You're better off selling either the WRT54G or the AEBS and getting a cheap dedicated wireless access point. Or just go for an AEBS/AirPort Express combo. :-)


~Henjie

[mikaelrules]

People have had sucess in bridging AEBS's with non-apple wireless devices using WDS. If the hacked firmware is reliable, I see no reason why it won't work.

[bagwis]

[quote]Originally posted by Henjie

Originally posted by danieldy

That would work, but you would just be using the access point feature of the AEBS, something the aiport extreme does, at a cheaper price.

Then again, something all wireless access points do, at an even cheaper price.

Yup, Daniel's right. You're basically using an expensive router to act as an access point. Not a practical solution. You're better off selling either the WRT54G or the AEBS and getting a cheap dedicated wireless access point. Or just go for an AEBS/AirPort Express combo. :-)


~Henjie

Thanks a lot.:beer:

[Kenneth]

Hi all,

Has anyone been able to bridge a Linksys WRT54G and an Airport Express without using the Sveasoft Satori firmware hack? From Gabe's link, its still a bit vague whether someone has done it or not. There are conflicting reports.

[Edited on 12-17-2004 by Kenneth]