Adding a wifi router/access point to 2Wire RG

[robgendreau]

I've got a 2Wire 3800HGV-B, which does wireless b/g, but not n. That hasn't been a problem, but now I'm moving more video and big files around and it would be nice to have something faster. I'm using static IPs to to computers (Macs), and have wired connections to things like Directv and wifi to phones, iPad etc. I use the firewall on the RG, and I have an Apple Airport Express in another part of the house where wifi from the RG doesn't reach.

I'd like to upgrade to wireless n. It seems easiest to buy a wireless access point, and just hook it to the RG. I assume it would be just a matter of wiring it, setting the network name, passwords, etc.

But I've noticed I can actually find wifi routers that are cheaper than the switches; would it make sense to have a router take over firewall, address allocation, and wifi duties, and just use the RG to connect to the outside? I’m not real savvy about all of this, so if I did that how would I set up the RG and new router? Would my static IP settings remain the same in the RG and I just turn off the firewall, wifi and just uncheck the supplementary network feature on the broadband page in the RG?

Or would it just be better to leave everything alone and go with the access point? And if I do that, is there any reason to leave the wifi enabled on the 2Wire, leaving me essentially with two wifi nets in the house?

Finally, I have used some stuff from time to time that required a UPnP router, which the 2Wire doesn't have. If I go the router route (sorry) would a UPnP router work with the new setup?

And any recommendations on hardware?

Thanks; this is a great forum!

Rob

[exilio]

Just commenting on this one in relation to my earlier posting.

I am in nearly the same setup as yourself, except that I haven't bothered with static IPs for my devices. 

I had forgotten I had an Airport Extreme lying around. I was going to go buy a Cisco Valet Plus, but the Airport should do nicely. I just need to figure out how to use it as an access point. 

Is there anyone that could point to a good way to make this happen?

[sdrake_1]

Same issue.  I have a wireless n router that I would like to set up as an access point or as the router behind the 2wire.  I have tried numerous ways of setting it up and have been able to access devices hardwired to the n router but have not been able to use it to access the internet.

[djnik]

There are 2 things to try.  I've done them both with success.

1) Try going to this forum page and follow the suggested reccomendations for adding a router to your 2wire 3800HGV-B:

http://www.uverseusers.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=2&topic=4254.0

OR

2) The easy way out...I bought a Linksys, Wireless-N Access Point (model #: WAP610N) for around $93 at Amazon.com.  It took all of 5 minutes to configure and get running.  As a experiment I left the 2wire 3800HGV-B wireless on as well to extend coverage to the basement of the house and it worked too using the same SSID and wireless settings.

Good Luck.

[Taylarie]

I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to post your comments and opinions related to this topic. This topic has been thoroughly discussed and will now be closed.