On Sun, 30 Mar 2003, Don Hayward wrote:
> Some simple questions about access points and bridging.
>
> Are all access points inherently bridges?
All single-function access points are inherently bridges. They
connect, at layer 2, an 802.3 ethernet with an 802.11 ethernet.
> My initial experience was with an Orinoco AP500 -- bridging is
> explicitly configured in the management software. Wireless hosts seem
> to have no trouble reaching each other through these.
I'd guess its other operating mode is a firewall/nat gateway? This
is true of the RG1000, haven't used AP500 -- You can turn off the
IP-layer code and it'll act like a normal access point.
> I have since tried a D-Link DWL-5000AP, 802.11a. There is nothing
> about bridging in the documentation or configuration. It is plugged
> into a level 2 switch (Linksys 8 port). Wireless hosts can't ping or
> otherwise see each other, although they can reach hosts wired into the
> switch. Wired hosts can see all other hosts.
>
> If the DWL is not bridging, will the use of a hub rather than a switch
> clear this up? Would I need even more -- say a router?
This sounds like the bridging part of the device is working fine --
wired hosts can reach wireless and vice versa. The problem of wireless
hosts not being able to see each other sounds like a misconfiguration
or bug in the Access Point part of the device, but I haven't used this
particular product so I don't have any specific advice for what you
might change to fix it.
--
Eric Sorenson - EXPLOSIVE Networking - http://explosive.net
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