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Can a wireless router be used as a network card?

  • 27-10-2009 11:52AM
    #1
    danindublin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 230 ✭✭


    Just moved into an apt which has wireless bb. My laptop has built in wireless but my pc doesnt. Now I should probably just buy a wireless dongle for my pc but is there a way I can use my spare wireless router to connect to a wireless network?


Comments

  • #2
    syklops
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,966 ✭✭✭✭syklops


    Generally speaking no.

    What you might be able to do is use your spare wireless router as a switch, and then bridge the wireless and ethernet connections on the laptop. Its possible to do, but I would not recommend it unless its an emergency. Its a complicated setup, and the more complicated the setup, the more problems will arise.

    You didnt mention what OS you are using, so I will assume it is XP. Here is a tutorial on bridging for XP:
    http://www.home-network-help.com/network-bridge.html

    Like I said, I would not recommend doing this. You will pick up a wireless dongle for about 30 quid, which will install in 5 minutes.

    If you set up the network bridge, you could lose internet connectivity on both the laptop and Desktop, and then you will be in big trouble.

    My advice: Get a dongle.


  • #3
    dartsfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 280 ✭✭dartsfan


    I'm no expert but I think what you're trying to achieve is a wirelesss bridge. I think it's possible but I could not achieve this using the eircom Netopia router (Posted a thread about this a few days ago!)


  • #4
    danindublin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 230 ✭✭danindublin


    dartsfan wrote: »
    I'm no expert but I think what you're trying to achieve is a wirelesss bridge. I think it's possible but I could not achieve this using the eircom Netopia router (Posted a thread about this a few days ago!)


    Its actually a Linksys WRT350N and I'm using windows vista - will see if I can find some info on bridging for this combo

    Thanks :)


  • #5
    dartsfan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 280 ✭✭dartsfan


    danindublin wrote: »
    Its actually a Linksys WRT350N and I'm using windows vista - will see if I can find some info on bridging for this combo

    Thanks :)

    Yes, I think I saw plenty of instructions around for this router when I was looking. Post back if you manage to do this successfully, would be interested to hear results for this router.


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