[Ham-Computers] RE: Connecting a Wireless Bridge

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

I have a WET11, but haven't used it in a while (since replacing it with
a WET54GS).  It is a "Wireless Bridge" and is designed to wirelessly
connect two segments of the same network.  For example, if you had a
small network of PC's in one room and another small network of PC's in
another room, you could "join" both networks wirelessly using wireless
bridges (or wireless Access Points (AP) in "bridge" mode).  The WET11 is
a bridging device and can connect to other bridges or to an AP.  The
WET11 can also be used as a ethernet-to-wireless "converter" giving any
PC with an ethernet port the ability to connect to a wireless AP.  The
switch on the WET11 changes the ethernet port from "straight through"
mode to "cross-over" (aka "uplink") mode.  Specifically, if you're
connecting the WET11 to a ethernet adapter, you'll use
"straight-through" mode.  If you're connecting it to a hub or switch,
then you'll use "cross-over" mode.

I'll assume your intention is to use the WET11 as a wireless-to-ethernet
converter giving your laptop the ability to connect to your existing
network.  What you didn't mention is wether or not your shack has a
wireless AP.  If not, then you'll need to get one (and properly
configure it) before going any further.  However, if you're intent was
to connect the WET11 to your wired network and use it as a wireless
access point for your laptop to connect to, then you got the wrong
device - you need a wireless AP (or wireless router).

With that in mind, I'll stop here and ask a few questions...

1.  Does your "wired" network already have a wireless AP (or wireless
router)?

2.  Does your laptop have a wireless adapter or was the WET11 purchased
for this purpose?

3.  When "configuring" the WET11, did you try connecting directly (via
an ethernet cable) to a PC?  If you do this, then you'll need to assign
a temporary "static" IP address to the computer so you can connect to
the WET11.

Reading more into your message, it seems like you may have the wrong
equipment for what you need want to do.  Answering the 3 questions above
should give me a better idea of what you want to accomplish and whether
or not it's possible with the equipment you have.

73,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2006 11:05 AM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Connecting a Wireless Bridge

I have a wired LAN setup connecting three computers using a router and
hub.  I would like to have a wireless link so I could use a laptop in my
"shack", which is in a separate building.  I know almost nothing about
wireless networks, and after some Internet searches, decided to get my
feet wet by purchasing a Linksys WET11 Wireless-B Ethernet bridge over
eBay.  After actually looking at one (it seems to have a SMA antenna
connector, for example) and reading the literature, I could consider my
next step.  I assumed I could verify it worked by connecting it to my
laptop, going to a window and seeing if I could pick up a signal from a
neighbor.

However, I never got that far.  I connected it to my network using a
normal RJ-45 cable, and entered 192.168.1.225.  There's a switch on the
bridge, for choosing a network card or hub/switch, which I set to
hub/switch.  A Linksys window appeared, with Device Name (WET11), the
static IP address I used, etc.  I attempted to change to DHCP, but lost
the internet connection.

I then attempted to run the Linksys setup program, but it could not
locate the bridge.  I tried resetting the bridge, using the other
position of the network card-hub/router switch, etc. but still have the
problem.

Any suggestions?
Jim