Networking hardware question

[BFD Deadeye]

Hi all, I have a LAN with 6 computers. 2 of these machines are connected directly to a Linksys Router (BEFS41) and 3 others are plugged into a Linksys 4 port hub, which then plugs into the router. I have 1 port left on the router. The 6th computer is in my garage, and is not hard wired to the LAN. I have to go wireless. I bought a package at Sam's Club, that has a wireless USB network adapter, and a 4 port wireless router(BEFW11S4).

I assume this router works as a WAP for the USB adapter, but my question is, can I change the settings in the router to make it act as a stand alone WAP and hub that can then plug into my existing router?

[glc]

I'd replace your router with the new one, and either sell the old router or keep it for a spare.

Please note that the BEFW11S4 version 4 router is a lemon, you may want to take the kit back and buy a standalone WAP (such as a WAP11) to plug into your old router and a standalone wireless card. I'd also recommend a PCI wireless nic over USB.

[Statica]

& to add on, if I were to stick with the current setup, I would put the BEFW11S4 as my primary gateway - because it will have better filtering (exclusive-MAC filtering) than the BEFS41.

[BFD Deadeye]

Darn! I just looked on the bottom of the router, and there it is...version 4. Guess I'll be going back to Sam's Club where I bought the thing. Is the newer version better? Can I still use it as my primary gateway? Then do I just simply retire my beloved BEFSR41? *sob*. Maybe I'll just get a single WAP, although having all the other wireless ports on the router would be cool to.

[glc]

That *IS* the newest version - and we have stopped using it. We now use D-Link or the Linksys WRT54G wireless routers.

If you want to keep the old BEFSR41, look for a Linksys WAP11, but it costs as much as a router. It *is* possible to use both routers, but one of them is going to be just a dumb switch and it's a waste.

(Note - the WAP11 has excellent filtering)

If you want to try what you bought and see if it works okay, simply replace the BEFSR41 with the BEFW11S4 and configure it.

[Penguin]

I don't know how I got so lucky, but I just bought a BEFW11S4 from Newegg and it was a version 3. I have read alot on the boards lately about the version 4.

Usually I am the one that ends up with the lemon.

[Lain]

What exactly makes you say the version 4 is a lemon. I exchanged my D-Link 614+ wireless router three times, because I had nothing but constant problems with that. Not only that but the D-Link DWL-650+ PCMCIA wireless adapter I bought. I finally got them to let me exchange it with a different brand and it works great now. Exactly what makes it a "lemon?"

I've heard people say that the D-Link products work great, I've read lots of good reviews, I was even impressed with the range the first 3 days it worked before my laptop had constant BSOD's, and D-Link was quick to point the finger at Toshiba and gave me absolutely no support. After about 4 months struggling to get the thing to work I gave up.

It might work well for some people for me it doesn't. Maybe I was unlucky and just happened to buy a defective one each time, or maybe it was really a problem with Toshiba laptops. All I know it I am satisfied with me new Linksys setup, and I know many other people who are as well, and all of them have a Version 4.

If you were using the router and wireless adapter without any problems, then I see no reason why you should return the product.

[glc]

Lain, a bit of searching over at the dslreports forums should bring up a huge thread which in a nutshell makes the version 4 look like the worst piece of junk seen in a long time. Apparently they went to a different chipset from the 3.2 and earlier that has some real firmware issues.

[Lain]

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7069184~mode=flat

I am guessing this is the thread you were talking about? i didn't have time to read the whole thing, but it seems these people had more problem with the firmware in the v4. I didn't see anything mentioned about the chipset, but I might have overlooked it.

I have no problem with downloading files, or staying connected, which is the most common problem that was stated.

One problem I do have is when transfering files from my server, but I think that has more to do with how I have the domain setup. They tend to be very slow transfers, well below 11Mbps.

Only problem I have noticed thus far. I was worried when I formatted and started playing UT2k3 and got nothing but packetloss, but it turns out I just had netspeed set too low. Now it works fine.