I use a range expander (Linksys WRE54G) to access my wireless network from a nearby building. Will it count as a licensed device?

Hope not, if it does, I'll be at 6 devices which puts the Z100G out of my price range.

quote:

Originally posted by ValleyDawg:
I use a range expander (Linksys WRE54G) to access my wireless network from a nearby building. Will it count as a licensed device?

Hope not, if it does, I'll be at 6 devices which puts the Z100G out of my price range.

Does the range expander use an IP address?
Does it use this IP address to access outside the wan?

If yes, then you need a license

Speaking of range expanders, here's a cool project for a do it your selfer! http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html.

quote:

Originally posted by bugeek:

quote:

Originally posted by ValleyDawg:
I use a range expander (Linksys WRE54G) to access my wireless network from a nearby building. Will it count as a licensed device?

Hope not, if it does, I'll be at 6 devices which puts the Z100G out of my price range.

Does the range expander use an IP address?
Does it use this IP address to access outside the wan?

If yes, then you need a license

Okaaayy...

Yes, it does use an IP address

Does it use this IP address to access outside the WAN? Don't know... What it does is sit between the wireless router and the laptop in the other building. All traffic between the router and that laptop passes through the RE, which adds nothing to content, but simply amplifies wireless signals as it relays them back and forth. I'm a networking newbie, and have no idea if that constitutes "accessing outside the WAN".

Opinions please and thank you...

Thanks bugeek!

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Rocket:
Speaking of range expanders, here's a cool project for a do it your selfer! http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html.

Thanks Rocket, interesting project! Happens that I'm a radio ham and have all the necessary bits and pieces in my junque box.
Might just try it... Right now I have the wireless router in an upstairs window with a 325-foot line-of-sight path to the RE in a window of the other building. The cantenna should have a couple of bars more gain than the router's antenna... might be enough that I wouldn't need the RE at all. Well worth a try!

Thanks again!

While we are on the topic of Range Expanders-I wondering if any of you Z100 owners use one, and if so what brand have you found works with it? Or what usb adapters have you tried the support the XR mode that have helped you strengthen your signals?

I'm trying to push our wireless out to my husband's man room/workshop/garage. We got a hand me down 500mhz; I flattened and reloaded the OS and it's plenty good enough to surf the net with. The only problem is-our signal is low out there. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Valley Dawg,
One thing to keep in mind re. the allotted nodes. I just discovered today that when a machine goes into sleep mode, it then no longer counts as a node at that point. So unless you have more than 5 machines active at once-perhaps you'll be ok as far as 5 or under nodes.

quote:

Originally posted by BlueScreenBetty:
While we are on the topic of Range Expanders-I wondering if any of you Z100 owners use one, and if so what brand have you found works with it? Or what usb adapters have you tried the support the XR mode that have helped you strengthen your signals?

I'm trying to push our wireless out to my husband's man room/workshop/garage. We got a hand me down 500mhz; I flattened and reloaded the OS and it's plenty good enough to surf the net with. The only problem is-our signal is low out there. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Hi Betty...

Adding a Range Expander here accomplished exactly what you want to do. In my application, before the RE, network signal strength was 2 bars at the window of the other building, and zero bars (no connection) in the office of that building. Placing the RE in the window over there produced a very usable 3 bars in the office, which is one room over and one floor down from the RE's location. Might work same for you, provided the signal doesn't have to go through too many walls and floors.

I'm using an old Dell router and a Linksys WRE54G Range expander. Had the devil of a time configuring the Linksys... mostly because I am new to networking... wasn't able to interpret the configuration instructions properly at first! Since I've figured that stuff out it's been easy.

BTW, since my devices here won't do WPA, I'm using WEP encryption only. The Linksys RE seems OK with that, but I have no way of telling if it might do WPAx for you with a Z100.

Thanks for your input on my licensed device query. The Dell router doesn't show the RE on it's connected devices screen, so I'm guessing the Z100 might not count it. Unless somebody comes up with a definitive "Oh yes it does", I'll probably take a chance and order a Z100 soon.

Cheers!
ValleyDawg

Hi ValleyDawg,
Thanks for the info. I looked at the Linksys RE, but I don't think it supports WPA. We are only getting one bar out at his garage. At least we can see the WLAN, but the connection is almost unusable. I do have a few walls between the router and his garage-but I also have a spot picked out for a RE which has a clear line of site, through a window to his garage.

One of the reasons I upgraded my old router was because I wanted the enhanced security of WPA. Plus I like the fact that I can put my kids machine back on wireless-the cable running under the carpet is beyond crushed...I'm suprised it's still working.

Before I got a WPA capable router-I used to leave my WEP wireless off unless I was using it. It was kind of a pain, and therefore I didn't use it much. I've only had the Z100 for about 9-10 days-but so far I am very pleased. I like the fact I can isolate the WLAN from my LAN, as well as block communication between WLANed machines. My kids have been well taught re. security...but they are still kids, and will go looking for 'cheat codes' etc and might end up on goofy sites with bugs. I prefer to give them the equivalent of a VLAN out to the net-just in case they pick up something-my network and our main machine is safe. Plus, now I can give visitors access to the net without worrying about what kind of bugs their machines might be carrying. :-)

If you do decide on the Z100-let us know how you make out. I'm still a newbie with it, but just got my first security report via email, and WOW...that's nice stuff! My software firewall logs are pretty quiet now as far as incoming alerts. It appears the Z100 was a significant improvement to my old router security wise-plus it has lots of new bells and whistles to play with. :-)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BlueScreenBetty,