SBS-3 Connection via Ethernet and a wifi bridge

[Roadrunner]

 High there,

There must be a few of you out there like me that wanted to make use of the Ethernet option that became available with the original Mk1 SBS-1 and want to continue using this with the latest SBS-3. I remember the problems I had setting up my first connection so hope this will help those just starting out as I am no computer expert by any means.

Why use a bridge? Well, unfortunately, my router is in my lounge but my PC resides in my Den - a bedroom I have been allowed to take over since the kids left home. Running a cable from the router up to this den was a definite no-no so another solution was sought.

My SBS-3 sits on a shelf and the unit I currently use as my bridge (a Netgear WNCE3001) sits next to it connected via a short length of flat Ethernet cable. The WNCE3001 is powered using a USB cable and makes use of an IPOD charger at the wall socket, ironically one of two I had laying about wondering what I could use them for and now the WNCE3001 and SBS-3 use one each.
Setting up the WNCE3001 was so very easy as it is designed to pick up its IP address  using DHCP which is great because it came with a default IP of 192.168.1.251 and my local Network is in the range from 192.168.2.XXX and I was dreading having to make changes. All I had to do was disable the connection between my PC and the router, connect the WNCE3001 to the PC via the supplied Ethernet cable and connect power to the WNCE3001. It picks up a web style home page and checks the PC's details it then asks you to select an SSID from a list and then add a password for the chosen SSID. Close the device and remove Ethernet connection to the PC and reconnect your router to the PC, move the device next to the SBS3 and connect the two using an Ethernet cable. Power up the unit and then the SBS-3 and finally run BaseStation and wait for the fun to begin. I suggest you make sure that this connection is working before changing to make use of the direct connection between SBS3 and PlanePlotter if that is what you use.
I will say now that I am not an employee of or have any allegiance to Netgear  and I used a Belkin bridge before which steadfastly refuses to work with the newer SBS-3.  Also this unit is not that cheap being available to buy new on the internet at between £50 and £70+
However, I do hope this helps people that want Ethernet but just cant get all the pieces together in one room.
Regards
Mike (Roadrunner)

[Anmer]

Thanks Mike.

I've now completed the "office" move downstairs, leaving the router and SBS-1 upstairs.

My printer and this PC (downstairs) are connected by Ethernet cable to a Netgear WN2000RPT.  So easy to setup and a great extender with the added benefit of having 4 x Ethernet ports as well as wireless.

My wife's PC is downstairs too but connected wirelessly to the WN2000RPT.

[Saudistu]

Hi Mike amd Mike very useful information for those are looking at going down this route (no pun intended). For those who are not so technically minded with regards to Networks and Routers the other option is to use Powerline adapters for linking the SBS-3 to the Network. I have been using them for years to route from my SBSNet module to my Router. For most of them absolutely no setup is required.

Regds....Stu 

[Roadrunner]

Hu Stu,

I have read about those units but as I have multiple plugs in only a couple of sockets in my den I didnt think it would work too well. My main reason for posting was purely because I hadn't seen any recent comment on set ups like ours where router and devices are not necessarily in the same room and connected via wifi, and wanted to open up the conversation to include as many types as possible.

Regards Mike

[Anmer]

I agree Stu, these adapters are an option.

However, for me, they can't handle wireless connections which have become increasingly useful when using netbooks and smartphones around the house and in the garden.

[Roadrunner]

Anmer,

Looking back at your first comment I note that you still have your SBS1 connected by ethernet to the router. I don't know about the printer et al but is your set WN2000RPT acting as an Access Point rather than a bridge as there is definately a difference in what you can do with a Bridge compared with an Access point. I could not get my SBS-3 to have anything to do with a router set up as an Access Point and had to sell that and get a pure Bridge which works seemlessly. I am no computer expert but I am sure there is someone out there that can explain why this should be.

Regards

Mike

[Anmer]

Hi Mike

The WN2000RPT is described as:

Easy-to-use dual-stream 802.11n wireless repeater / bridge with built-in four-port switch

It appears as an additional wireless network when looking for available networks and inherits all the access permissions from the router.

I'm not too sure how an access point is different to a bridge and have read that a bridge is theoretically inclusive of an access point.

Right now I'm running Basestation on this PC connected via Ethernet cable to the WN2000RPT which is connected wirelessly to the router upstairs into which the SBS-1 is connected via Ethernet cable.

Next to me is my wife's PC connected wirelessly to the WN2000RPT on which I can run a different Basestation session via Multi-EM.

My main reason for choosing the WN2000RPT was the 4 x Ethernet ports.

When I get an SBS-3 I'll see how I get on and report back.

[Triple7]

I have managed to "create" several bridges from standard routers. I take a standard Linksys WRT54G router and by applying dd-wrt firmware to it:  http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index  I create a bridge. Here's a decent tutorial - it's a bit fast, so you'll need to watch it several times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjGGQoBElbY

These things - from eBay - cost about £20 (sorry of you are outside the UK!) and work very well. Now I know several people have suggested the mains LAN adaptors and I am sure they also work, but I like a bit of a challenge and the rewards from making something work is worth the effort.

This summer my intention is to re-mount my Moonraker ADS-B antenna and reduce the coax length so that my SBS-1er will be in the loft and connected via a bridge to my LAN. Hopefully everything will work out OK.

HTH

Tim

[Anmer]

Thanks Tim

I'll take a look as I tried to create a bridge using spare Netgear routers but failed.   

[Roadrunner]

Tim,

All sounds good and I am sure plenty of people will be able to follow those very explicit instructions. Also I did look at changing my Belkin (which supposedly has an Access Point/Bridge mode built in) but it was far too confusing to my tiny brain). For me the plug+play of the WNCE3001 was the selling point even at a higher cost.


Regards Mike

[Anmer]

Hi Mike, Stu and Tim

The good news is that the preferred solutions work.  There are many options and sharing your experiences will help others.

Thanks for doing so.