I have an existing network that connects to the 'net via a Linux-based firewall. That system has two ethernet interfaces: one to the DSL modem and the other to the internal switch. Future plans were for adding a second "internal" interface with the idea of moving servers into that (think DMZ). But while I was planning for that, the missus has decided she wants to pick up a Windows laptop and would like to be able to use it wirelessly at home. I have access to a (free!) Netgear WGR614L and was hoping it would work. Unfortunately, I'm unsure how to add the wireless capability to our network.

Questions:

• Is it best -- or even possible -- to use one the wireless router for this?
  
• Is it possible to merely hang the Netgear router off the internal switch and set it up for the wireless users? Or...
  
• Would I need to add another ethernet interface to the firewall and hang the router off that? The address of this new interface would act as the default route for the wireless users. Then I'd need to (I assume) add more rules to the iptables configuration to deal with the new network. (I sort of like this option -- it it's actually feasible -- as I can easily shut down any wireless access by logging into the firewall and stopping the interface connecting the wireless router.)

I've taken a look at the setup guide on the CD that came with the router and it assumes that you have a modem connecting your PC to the internet. The instructions have you placing the wireless router between the modem and that PC. For our network, that would have the wireless access coming into the "dirty" side of the firewall. (Not what I would like.)

Sorry if this seems a little vague but I just started thinking about this today (after being offered the router) and I'm obviously in early, early planning stages. Any suggestions, warnings, potential pitfalls, etc. are most welcome.

TIA

--
Rick

yes it's possible
you can add an eth nic to the linux-based firewall and connect it to the netgar and the play with the routing ,that's all you need to do.

oOr better yet, you can use the router to manage the internet connection and connect the linux-firewall to it.and then connect you machines to the firewall,and create a DMZ zone to protect your servers!

i thing this the best and secure solution,especially if you're using IPCOP,it works great

You could use almost any wifi router to do that what you want.

If you have a broadband router with out wifi and you want to connect an another one with wifi that will work.
You should do few things. Switch off the firewall on the wifi router(sencond router).
Switch off the DHCP server on the wifi router(second router).

I've got a setup just like this one.

The first router is a Sitecom broadband soho router with out wifi. Built in 4 port switch and dhcp server and firewall.
The second one is an adsl modem with wifi and the usual staff in it. (one adsl phone connector and 4 switch port)

I switched off the dhcp and the firewall and plugged into the main router's switch.
The first and the second router connected with a UTP cat5 cable through the switch ports.
Both router have switch ports 4 and 4. You could use any of the switch ports it does not matter it will work.

The main router allocate the IP addresses from there own DHCP server for the wifi adsl router. (via cable)
And the wifi clients can connect to the network just like the wireless is part of the network.
The second router behave like a switch and wifi "expander" for the LAN.
Of course the wifi must be setup on the second router to work properly.

The firewall and security managed by the main router.


Internet ==>> Broadband Router/4 port switch ==>> second router with wifi and 4 port switch ==>> wireless clients.

Basically you expand the network with an another switch with a wifi interface on it.

If it does not work let us know.

Laz.

Hello rnturn,

you can add your Netgear as a simple wireless-accesspoint to your existing net, look here: http://www.myopenrouter.com/article/...-Access-Point/

You may connect the Netgear device to the net like any other computer. The IP-configuration for the wireless clients comes via DHCP from your router like in the wired network. Gateway and other IP-settings remain the same in the wireless network.

Be sure to disable DHCP on the Netgear! The Netgear device in this case does not act as a DHCP-server and not as a router.

Markus

Hey, thanks for the quick responses. (Quicker than this reply, anyway.) I was hoping to know -- within a couple of days -- whether the Netgear router would work or whether I'd return to the guy who gave it to me (and maybe he'd find someone else who could use it). LQ's experts come through again.

I'm thinking that a combination of the tips that you all posted will wind up being part of how I get the wireless access set up.
The toughest part will be the iptables changes. I'll be researching that next.

Again, thanks.

--
Rick