Internet access through wireless AP 3

[brucehargrave]

At home I'm trying to set up internet access from multiple PCs. I have connected a Belkin 54g wireless AP to my cable modem and the first PC went in with no problems. However, I cannot get any more PCs to connect to the Internet.

I tried installing the network card from the first PC in another PC and that worked fine. But I have tried 3 other cards in the other PCs and they all refuse to connect.
The symptom is that they fail DHCP release/renew. I can ping the AP from all PCs but, other than with the first card, that is as far as they get.

I have checked with the ISP and they don't bar multiple client access (they even advertise the Linksys solution).

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[MattWray]

WHat if you configure them with static IPs? Can they access the Internet then?

Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com

http://www.total-tec.com

 

[brucehargrave]

No. There seems to be a requirement from the ISP that its DHCP server allocates IP addresses

 

[Bobg1]

Your cable modem gets its IP ady via dhcp from the ISP.
You then need a router or router AP combo to act as the gateway between the pcs and the cable modem.

 

[brucehargrave]

Do I need a router? I thought that the idea was that the AP allows me to connect lots of PCs to a single network (or cable modem).

I've got a bit further now. I've found that if I turn the cable modem off and then on again, the first PC to try to do a DHCP renew is successful and can access the internet. But after that, the others fail and, even if they have IP addresses from before, internet access fails.

It does look as if the problem is with my ISP and/or the cable modem. Will a router solve this (though I really don't want to buy one as well as the AP)?

 

[MattWray]

Sounds like your ISP watches the MAC addresses. You need to set up MAC address spoofing thru your AP. I looked the AP up, it is supposed to be a DSL router as well, so you shouldn't need another one.
The weird thing I see is, that you say if you reboot the cable modem, one of the machines gets a good IP. Your AP should be getting the IP from your ISP, and your LAN should bet IPs from either the AP or a DHCP server within your network....

Thanks,

Matt Wray
MCSE, MCSA, MCP, CCNA

http://www.sss-steel.com

http://www.total-tec.com

 

[genenj420]

This might help you.

I'm using cable internet into a Netgear Wireless 5ghz 4 port cable/dsl/firewall router in the basement. It is also an access point for wireless. On ports 1 & 2 I have Netgear 5ghz wireless access points. One is located in the attic an the other in a laundry closet on the first floor. The AP's are remote antenas that extend the reach of the router. (the router also issues ip's and dhcp to the AP's and to the PC's).

Matt and Bob got it correct. It isn't a problem with the isp but yet limitations of the AP. You should retun the AP and purchase combo router IP like Bob says. The router should also handle dhcp. The router takes the ISP's dynamic ip, dhcp and dns and keeps it the connection on the WAN side. The dhcp on the LAN side of your network is giving the AP's and PC's the correct info to access the router, internet and the network. So when u try to release and renew, the pc will pickup the new IP from the router.

It will save you time and fustration if you just get the router.

I'm having other issues that i'm about to post in a new thread if anyone can help

gene

 

[brucehargrave]

Thanks for all the help on this - its put an end to weeks of frustration.

I'll just go off and buy a router...

Regards,

Bruce