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Access Point Question

FalconYT

Occasional Visitor
Hello,

I'm trying to add an access point in another area of a building where a network cable has been run. (i do not have access to the main router). This was put there so the user could plug in his laptop via the cable. However, he has a phone that he would like to connect as well via wifi.. (the wifi they are using does not reach to where he is, hence the cable run).

So I set up a basic router TP-Link and turned off DHCP, set the router to a non conflicting IP address out of the main's DHCP range and setup the SSID and password. So my understanding would be that the main router will supply the IP addresses via DHCP through the access point. It will do this but only for one device. If I try to connect a 2nd device via wireless. It sees the access point and asks for password but will not connect.. It will only connect one device. I did try the TP-Link and Rosewill router (be it very cheap ones) and had same results.

From what I've read online, I thought I would be setting it up correctly.. I have done this at home with an ASUS and NETIS router to get rid of dead zones in my home and it works just fine. I can look at those routers to see what devices are connected and I do not have a one device limitation. Is this a limitation caused by the main router or am I not going about it the best way. Any info, link or guidance would be appreciated..

I'm sure this is very basic, but I'm not understanding why I am having a one device limit..

Thanks..
 
Did you plug the cable into the LAN or WAN port of the router you are using as an AP? It needs to be plugged into the LAN port.
 
Hello,

I'm trying to add an access point in another area of a building where a network cable has been run. (i do not have access to the main router). This was put there so the user could plug in his laptop via the cable. However, he has a phone that he would like to connect as well via wifi.. (the wifi they are using does not reach to where he is, hence the cable run).

So I set up a basic router TP-Link and turned off DHCP, set the router to a non conflicting IP address out of the main's DHCP range and setup the SSID and password. So my understanding would be that the main router will supply the IP addresses via DHCP through the access point. It will do this but only for one device. If I try to connect a 2nd device via wireless. It sees the access point and asks for password but will not connect.. It will only connect one device. I did try the TP-Link and Rosewill router (be it very cheap ones) and had same results.

From what I've read online, I thought I would be setting it up correctly.. I have done this at home with an ASUS and NETIS router to get rid of dead zones in my home and it works just fine. I can look at those routers to see what devices are connected and I do not have a one device limitation. Is this a limitation caused by the main router or am I not going about it the best way. Any info, link or guidance would be appreciated..

I'm sure this is very basic, but I'm not understanding why I am having a one device limit..

Thanks..

If using a WiFi router as an access point (AP), use the LAN port as said. Also, login to the admin of the device and disable DHCP service. And setup strong WPA password.

Or buy a purposed AP such as the $35 ASUS RT-N12

Be certain that the IT policy for the IT system permits users to add WiFi. Most companies prohibit.
 
Lan Port and Router

Hello,

Thank You for the replies.. I did in fact plug it into the LAN port and not the WAN port and I am not sure what limitations or any reside on the main router. I did disable DHCP on the access point I plugged in.

Unfortunately this is a small building where a few small businesses decided to share one Internet Broadband connection.. This business is at the far end and instead of installing another access point they just ran a wire and installed a jack in the wall for his one laptop...

I will look at the ASUS access point you have mentioned. I have also installed mHotspot on his laptop and he will attempt to try that next time he has his phone to test it with..

Would a mobile router or hotspot device be a better option, one that say is made to plug in into a hotel room and give you access for a few devices?

Not sure what I am configuring wrong to only have one device access...

Thanks.
 
Hello,

Thank You for the replies.. I did in fact plug it into the LAN port and not the WAN port and I am not sure what limitations or any reside on the main router. I did disable DHCP on the access point I plugged in.

Unfortunately this is a small building where a few small businesses decided to share one Internet Broadband connection.. This business is at the far end and instead of installing another access point they just ran a wire and installed a jack in the wall for his one laptop...

I will look at the ASUS access point you have mentioned. I have also installed mHotspot on his laptop and he will attempt to try that next time he has his phone to test it with..

Would a mobile router or hotspot device be a better option, one that say is made to plug in into a hotel room and give you access for a few devices?

Not sure what I am configuring wrong to only have one device access...

Thanks.

If you're sharing an internet connection with "strangers", the last thing you'd want to do is cascade LAN-to-LAN like you're attempting.

Why not just turn DHCP on, and then plug in to the WAN port of your tp link router? (LAN to WAN). Make sure you change your router's local IP address to a different subnet so as not to conflict. e.g. 192.168.57.1

Edit: make sure you reset the TP-link to factory defaults and reconfigure from scratch in case you have some settings messed up (that is preventing your friend from connecting).
 
Last edited:
one broadband connection.
No VLANs.
Business sharing.
Legal issues galore.
Hope none are in finance or medical services.

Yikes.
 
Will try that..

Yes "yikes", but no medical or finance considerations there.. They decided to share it, despite explaining issues.. So you can only explain so much before people switch off... He just wanted his phone wifi to work... So that's all I'm helping him with...

Jlake I did try the lan into the wan as well and set the network to 198.168.2.1 where the originating lan was 192.168.0.1 and I did not have any luck, however I will try re-setting the router again and giving it another try. If for some reason it doesn't work he'll have to be content with his one computer.

Thanks for the help.
 
Yes "yikes", but no medical or finance considerations there.. They decided to share it, despite explaining issues.. So you can only explain so much before people switch off... He just wanted his phone wifi to work... So that's all I'm helping him with...

Jlake I did try the lan into the wan as well and set the network to 198.168.2.1 where the originating lan was 192.168.0.1 and I did not have any luck, however I will try re-setting the router again and giving it another try. If for some reason it doesn't work he'll have to be content with his one computer.

Thanks for the help.



The probability of one of the other businesses using 192.168.2.1 is extremely high. 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, and 192.168.2.1 are the three most common default IP addresses.

Can you try 192.168.57.1 after you reset it to defaults?
 
IP address

Yes I will try that next time I get out there and see if that takes care of the issue.

Thanks.
 
Don't get paid under contract for this work. Liability. Legal issues among companies sharing one ISP and no VLANs.
 

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