Does a wireless access point need to have same IP address as Wireless router?

Question

I want to add a second Wireless Access point to my Wireless network. The manual that comes with the new Access point sugests that it needs to have the same IP address as my original Wireless router. This seems strange to me? Is this the case or could the manual just be poorly written?

If it doesn't need to be the same Ip address, then what will the gateway be of the machines connecting to the network?

Answer 1

Generally the new access point should allow you to setup the IP and the gateway address for your system then set an IP for the access point (they usually work in bridge mode) Your remote machines would keep the same settings as your original router since the AP is just passing the signal.
It basically is invisible to the system (if its working correctly)

Some AP's dont need any settings other than DHCP to fully work. Some (if set to the same SSID and a different channel) will even allow automatic roaming within the coverage area and auto switch between the router AP and the remote AP,

Answer 2

No - it cannot be the same IP as your existing wireless router - there would be an IP conflict on your network. It does' however, need to have a static IP on the same subnet on your network, i.e. if your current wireless router sits at the IP of 192.168.1.1 - you would need to make sure the new wireless access point has an IP that matches the first three numbers, 192.168.1. and then a unique 4th number like 2 - so 192.168.1.2.

What your posing to do is a bit more complicated than you imagine... it may not be as simple as adding a second wireless access point to your network. Is you first wireless device a access point or a router. It makes a difference. Also, is the new access point the same make and model as the existing one? Access points are often designed to work in a group by using load balancing - but you need to set that up in the wireless access points settings.

I'm not 100% that wireless routers can bridge between each other.

Based strictly on your description - this is what I would recommend:

Set your new access point's gateway to the IP of your existing wireless router. This wireless access point will also have to have a different SSID than your current wireless router unless you can bridge or link connections between the two wireless devices.

For the DHCP settings on both devices, I would recommend setting different ranges - to avoid each wireless device attempting to assign the same IP twice. Set your existing wireless router to something range to something line 50-100 and you new access point to something like 101-150.

On the client side, you will need to pick which wireless network to attach to - assuming they overlap. - after that things should work...

Answer 3

The manual must be assuming that you are replacing the original router, which you are not I believe. The access point needs to have it's own IP address

Answer 4

It sounds such as you at the instant are not connecting appropriate to the on the spot community. A under pressure out connection works by fact the router is related to the internet and the twine is a, greater or much less, certain connection to the router. The on the spot connection isn't waiting to hire an handle from the router the two by fact the router isn't serving addresses to on the spot customers or by fact the authentication between your workstation and the router failed. this could be tremendously basic which you will fix, provided you comprehend the terrific suited community key (WEP or WPA/PSK) on your on the spot community. you need to use your under pressure out connection to discover those out or you could look on the label on the router once you're particular they have no longer been replaced from the production facility settings. First disconnect the twine and then delete the on the spot connection settings that are already set up. we will set them up back dynamically - Your sort of router has an 'N connect' or WPS button on it which you will could desire to press merely once you connect with the on the spot community for the 1st time. discover your on the spot community by surfing for it under the tray icon (close to the clock on XP / Vista) and double click it - provide it the protection passphrase it asks for and press the N connect button on your router on an identical time as your workstation tries to connect. although carry on with the educational interior the link under in case you have the CD which shipped with your router.

Answer 5

No. It should have its own. Like if it were just another machine on your network.