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Connect a Wi-Fi access point to a switch.

missiontomars99 -  
gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member -
Hello,

I have a problem with my network:

I have three PCs connected via an Ethernet switch (one of the computers serves as a server, and I need to keep this setup to run professional software).

I want to connect this network to the internet via Wi-Fi.

My question is the following:

Can I connect a Wi-Fi access point via Ethernet to the switch, and if so, how do I configure that?

Thank you for your responses.
Configuration: Windows XP Firefox 2.0.0.12

6 answers

  1.
    gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member 477
     
    Your box, whether it's Free, Livebox, Alicebox, etc., must act as a router; you just need to activate it on the network. For your information, I have a Free box, so I can help you with the setup if needed.
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    1. missiontomars99
       
      Thank you for the response, but here it is: the internet connection via Wi-Fi will indeed come from a box (a Freebox, in this case), but only one of the computers on the network (the server) and the switch (which is next to the server) will pick up the Wi-Fi signal; the others are too far away, hence my idea to retrieve the connection via the existing ethernet/switch network to access the net.

      So the simplest solution, if possible, is to connect an AP (access point) to the switch; otherwise, I know that there is the solution of plugging a Wi-Fi antenna into USB on the server, but that implies that the server must be on for another computer to connect to the net.
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      1. gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member 477 > missiontomars99
         
        Your server and the Witch can remain connected via Ethernet on the Freebox; otherwise, how far will the other computers be located for Wi-Fi? There is indeed a range of up to 30m in open spaces without significant obstacles such as buildings, and of course, the closer the better.
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  2. gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member 477
     
    An example, I am on Wi-Fi on a laptop and my Freebox is upstairs, separated by a concrete floor, and it works very well.
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    1. missiontomars99
       
      I forgot to mention that physically (i.e. via RJ45 cable) I cannot connect my Freebox (on the first floor) to my switch (on the ground floor).
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    2. missiontomars99
       
      Otherwise, I don't know if I explained it clearly, but the Freebox is only connected to the phone socket (and to the power supply), the network of the 3 computers is currently nothing to do with the Freebox (and that's exactly why I want to connect them via Wi-Fi).
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      1. gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member 477 > missiontomars99
         
        Ok, let's stay calm. Hehe, is the Freebox already configured as a router? And for Wi-Fi?
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      2. missiontomars99 > gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member
         
        I am calm, lol, it's just that when I read it again it didn't seem clear at all ;)

        Anyway, yes, I know that the Freebox (v5 by the way, I forgot to mention it) acts as a router, but:

        - First, I need to keep my network as a switch because I need a computer that functions as a server (and from what I understood, this is not possible with a router, because the router itself acts as a server)

        - On the other hand, I cannot connect two of the three computers on my network to the Freebox, neither by cable nor by Wi-Fi.

        In short, it comes down to:

        Can I connect an AP via RJ45 to my switch to get the internet on my network through the Wi-Fi signal from the Freebox?
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  3. gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member 477
     
    Sorry, I don't know about that, it's a question better asked to a technician. The Free hotline might give you some information, although sometimes I doubt their understanding. Otherwise, you can try a router to see if it works, and if it doesn't, come back and disable it. In any case, you can always connect one of the three computers via Ethernet to go back to square one.
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    1. missiontomars99
       
      For the Free hotline, I'm not sure it's the best solution ("What do you mean your Freebox is stuck at step 3? Are you sure it's plugged into a power outlet?" - I've experienced that...).

      Otherwise, I'm starting to understand what you mean, except that I forgot to mention something obvious: between the ground floor - where the computers are located - and the first floor - where the Freebox is, it's not the same phone line.

      The Freebox must stay on the first floor...
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  4. gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member 477
     
    My Freebox is upstairs and I'm using Wi-Fi on the ground floor separated by a concrete floor, and it works very well. Yet my partition walls are not made of flimsy materials; they are made of bricks and cement coating, so you can see the obstacles a bit.
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  6. Missiontomars99
     
    Well, I finally found the solution:

    create a Wi-Fi bridge between 2 APs configured in bridge mode:

    one connected to the Freebox (in router mode) via RJ45, the other connected to the switch still via RJ45.

    It works :)
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  7. gus29_fr Posted messages 3178 Status Member 477
     
    ok happy for you think to validate prob solved on the forum @+++++++++
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