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Question

Can I add an Access Point to a wireless Home Network

Aug 20, 2011 6:24AM PDT

My home network with Cisco's 4200 top-line router has 3 computers hard-wired and a laptop connected wirelessly. My wife's brand new iPad2 disconnects occasionally, like it needs a little more signal, which travels 50' through walls inc. concrete. Wud there be any problem connecting an Access Point down at the end of the house where she uses her iPad2? I could use the ethernet cable from one of the wired desktops. If that would work, the Access Pt wud only be 12 ft. from her iPad2? Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Using the ethernet cable from one of the wired desktops
Aug 20, 2011 7:18AM PDT

would mean that that desktop would not have network access.

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Answer
Yes.
Aug 20, 2011 6:48AM PDT

You can add what they call a WAP or google this "How to use a router as a WAP?"
Bob

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one bit more
Aug 20, 2011 9:01AM PDT

Didn't have room for all
<div class="previewSubtext">by whitsett
In Reply to: <span class="previewReplyTo">Clarification request: Using the ethernet cable from one of the wired desktops - New!
</div>Thank you. The desktop whose ethernet cable wud be unplugged to use for the Access Point is no longer in use, since my wife now has a new laptop and new iPad2. I wasn't sure the Access Point would work with the long cable going back to one of the 4 ports at the main router. Also was a little concerned about the two strong wireless N signals, hoping they wouldn't conflict.
Also I want to feed intrernet sig to some HDTVs, and the access pt. would be very close to two of them, and the Linksys 4200 real close to another.
If there were any reason not to have the access point, or if it wouldn't work from a 75 ft cable coming from a router port then I was going to first try raising the 4200 router up about 10 ft.
I sincerelty appreciate any suggestions and guidance. Re: >>"technical help, please be sure to include all your system info" OS is Win 7, and I have the Cisco 4200, also a still-in-the-box unused Cisco 3000 router; another wireless router not being used, and the Access Point which I used briefly last year.
One of my problems is my age where it's difficult to grasp things as I once could.
Thanks again,

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Hard to read your post.
Aug 20, 2011 9:26AM PDT

The questions might be in there so I'll answer ONE that popped out.

It seems you think the wifi could conflict. This is why today's routers let us change the channel.
Bob

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some other answers,
Aug 21, 2011 12:24AM PDT

The 75ft cable would present no problems.
A router, on the end of that cable, would allow other wired connections to be made but a WAP would not. The WAP does not normally have more than 1 ethernet port so all other devices would have to be wireless.
However, depending on your requirements, a WAP or a Router would work fine.