I am looking for a quality yet budget giga-switch with wireless-n access point to add to my existing home network. I already have a ADSL router and I am looking for an addon to extend the wireless range and give me a few extra ports.
Does such an all in one device exist that is not a ADSL router, if so any recommendations?
You can't get a pure AP + Switch, but you can get a AP + Switch + Router and ignore the WAN port (or AP + Switch + Router + Modem and ignore the ADSL).
Here are some cheaper options than the WDR3600:
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&c…
Note you just don't "ignore" anything as these routers include a DHCP server that is enabled by default and can contribute to network issues/confusion until disabled.
That's assuming there is already a DHCP server on the network and at least one device relying on DHCP for its IP configuration. In the OP's scenario, an existing DHCP server sounds highly likely.
The new router's IP address could also have the same IP address as the existing router, so it should be configured while not connected to the existing network (change its IP address to a free IP address on the same LAN segment or a random IP address in one of the private IP address ranges; disable DHCP server) even before connecting it to the existing network.
I think Bruce's usage of 'ignore', is to not worry about the functionality of, as you won't be using it, rather than how you demonstrated a reason not to ignore when attaching it to an existing network.
It is a good demonstration though of the issues when attempting to add hardware to an existing network, when it does more than it's intended usage.
Pax
Yes this. You will most likely need to turn off the DHCP server, and set a static IP on the correct subnet but outside of the existing DHCP range, as stebie suggests.
Any range advantages to utilising the 5GHZ range? I have zero other neighboring connections nearby so congestion is not a problem.
As mentioned, range is shorter. Bandwidth is higher though, and 2.4 is also used for things like microwaves.
I've got a Cisco ADSL modem router setup and I've used my old wireless modem as a wireless access point, works great, hardly any issues..
I wonder if you can use http://www.netgear.com.au/home/products/wireless-range-exten… as an access point/switch combo.
Not gigabit anyway.
I was just looking yesterday and came to the conclusion the TP-Link WDR3600 was the best bang-for-the-buck. Dual band as well.