Ah, I think you found your problem. How is the signal in the kitchen? Because it's probably a good idea to place the other accespoint, which will function as a repeater, there.
There is one more thing you can do, try to update the firmware, the software the accespoint you own uses. To update the firmware go to the site of the manufacturer, you can find it, and a quick reference for updating the firmware, there.
The only thing you need to keep in mind is you have to configure the new accespoint as a repeater, which is explained in the manual. And you have to secure your network, having wep, or no security at all can be disastrous.
Take a look at this:
"Tutorial: Howto secure your wireless network, advantages and disadvantages of different security and semi-security settings.
To start, everyone using a Linksys WRT54G (v2.2, see the ottom of your router) should go
here to download the latest firmware. This router has a big vulnerability discovered in September 2005. Please follow the link and update your firmware.
After pruchasing your router, the first thing most people want to do is go wireless immediatly, DON'T. This will show an exposed wireless station to everyone, including the scriptkiddie-wannabee nextdoor. So, connect the wireless device to your computer using the provided UTP-cable.
Goto your browser and enter the address of your router, which usually is soemthing like 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 192.168.2.1 or 10.0.0.138 (see the manual to find the correct address when these don't work). You can also find the correct address when doubleclicking on the network icon in the taskbar (right), choosing support and copying the address lsited at 'gateway'.
After entering the correct address you'll be, most likely, asked to enter a password the usual user/password combinations are:
- admin/admin
- 'empty'/'empty'
- 'empty'/admin
- admin/'empty'
When the above combinations don't work refer to the manual.
Allright, being logged in it's time to configure the wireless device. First disable the wireless function to 'hid' it from any onlookers.
Now you can really get things going. Change all default settings being:
- the password to login to the router
- the ssid needs to be changed but also disabled (write down the ssid you enter)
Note
Changing the default settings is soemthing you'd probably though of, changing the ssid probably not. The ssid, Service Set IDentifier, is a signal the router sends, broadcasting it's name. Since the name is required to connect to the router, hiding it will improve your security level (advanced hackers can still find the ssid). This makes disabling and changing the ssid a semi-securitysetting.
Now it's time real security, goto the tab security and choose WPA encryption/WPA-PSK, preferably 128bits. Enter a passphrase and write it down. Also enter a passchange frequency, usually the default setting wil suffice.
Note
Yes, I didn't mention WEP, Wired Equivalent Privacy, since WEP doesn't privde security, anyone with a computer, wlan card and a little patience can crack your wepkey within a few days. Also, when using wep data is not encrypted but sent out, readable for everyone willing to watch your traffic. So don't use wep, if your router only supports WEP, go back to the store and get a WPA compatible router.
WPA, Wi-fi Protected Access is far more secure compared to WEP. there are two kinds of WPA protection:
WPA-Radius, Remote Authentication Dial In User Service, the ebst WPA security. When accessing the router it willl check if the suer is verified to connect, using a third party, a computer running a radius server. The radius server responds by sending a socalled challenge, a phrase to which the client needs to reply, only when this is answered correctly, the user can connect. All data is encrypted. Unfortunately, as a home-user you cannot use radius (for free)
WPA-PSK/TKIP, Temporal Key Integrity Protocol, this is a security protocol, one level below radius. every packet is encrypted, and the password changes continuously (this doesn't affect you the suer, this is done between the computer and router). Disadvantage: when the quality of the connection is low or very low your connection will be unstble, since datapackets are lost and the router cannot authenticate the connected computer. Not all routers/wlancards support TKIP
WPA-PSK, WPA, PreShared Key. Instead of the key changing continuously it remains the same all the time, though all data will be encrypted.
Disadvantage: when the quality of the connection is low or very low your connection will be unstble, since datapackets are lost and the router cannot authenticate the connected computer
Conclusion: use WPA-PSK/TKIP
Note: Dont use any easy to guess passwords, such as your hobby, name of your pet, child etc.
Allright now everything is secured nicely, it's time to go wireless:
- enable the wireless function of the router
- disengage the router from the computer
- goto start->control panel->netowrk connections-> doubleclik on wireless connections
- The networks you see now are entworks from other people (your router is hidden remember?)
- Goto advanced settings->wireless networks
- Choose add and enter the ssid
- Choose the level of security and enter the correct password->ok->ok
Now a connection will be setup between the router and you computer
Now for the final semi-securityfeature goto the router using the browser (as we did before). Choose security/wireless and select macfiltering. Enter your own pc into the list of allow stations and choose save/apply. Now your done.
Note: MAC-filtering allows only specified wlancards to connect to the router. Every networkcard has it's own unique macaddress. This is a semi-security option, since macspoofing programs can copy/simulate a macaddress"
Good luck
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Help with wireless network problems please!
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