It is possible to use a Linksys BEFW11S4 as a wireless access point in two simple steps. Firstly, if you’re reading this, that means you probably found this article by searching for it in some sort of search engine or something, and you probably already know how to log into your router.
First step is to enable WEP encryption, because otherwise someone can easily come along and hop on your network. Another option if you don’t like the slight speed reduction of WEP encryption, you could add an access list from the wireless menu under Advanced options.
If you have a DHCP server on your network already, you’ll want to disable the one on board the router, but before you do, you’ll want to set the router’s IP to something that you’ll be able to find within your existing subnet. Once it’s set, you can savely disable the DHCP server, then simply plug a cross-over cable from a client port, into a switch/hub on your network. (Or if you have a version 4, you can use a regular straight through patch cable to connect it to the network.)
And that’s that, a router is now acting as a mere access point. And with the extreme cheapness and availability of routers these days, it’s a useful tool. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m pretty sure that you could use the router to connect two switches at a great distance with the wireless router working as a middle man.
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