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Does WNDR3700 require LAN connection for wireless to function?
Hello,
I originally set up my router with my PC connected to a LAN port and everything works fine in this situation. The problem is that my desktop PC is in the farthest corner of my apartment. My goal is to connect the router in a more central area to provide improved coverage throughout our apartment for other wireless devices. We live in an appartement with network outets in each room. When I plug my PC into either of these outlets directyl bypassing the router, the internet connects and functions. I have tried to connect the router in a different room, without the LAN connection to my PC and the WiFi no longer works.
Re: Does WNDR3700 require LAN connection for wireless to function?
Our apartment complex provides internet service for every single apartment individually included in the rent, so I do not have my own internet service plan. They have a modem on their end and have every room within each apartment connected so that if one plugs into a LAN access outlet in any room within the appartment (every room has one), we access the apartment-specific network. My setup for the past year (which has worked fine) is to connect my Netgear router into any of the LAN access outlets, then a PC into the router, and I have been able to manage wireless networks while also having a local connection to the same PC.
The problem with this situation, is that the PC is on the farthest point of one side of my aparment, and the WiFi signal isn't strong enough to reach the other side. I would like to leave my PC where it is at and plug the router into a seperate LAN access outlet so that I get stronger signal in the other side of the appartment. Again, all of the LAN access outlets are connected as one network beyond the modem.
When I test the connection with any of the LAN access outlets in the home:
-If I connect the PC (or Xbox/any device with a LAN port) directly into any of the LAN access outlets in the apartment they have functioning internet access.
-If I connect the Netgear router to any LAN access outlet via the "internet" plug on the router, then plug my PC into any of the "ethernet" plugs on the router, I have a functioning WiFi network as well as a direct local line on my PC. This PC can access and change settings within the router.
-If I connect the Netgear router to any LAN access outlet via the "internet" plug on the router, but do not plug a PC into any of the "ethernet" ports, I no longer have functioning WiFi access, but the the network continues to appear visible.
My question is if there is a way I can get the Netgear router to emit functioning WiFi without a PC connected to its "ethernet" port.
Hopefully that clears things up, thanks again for your help.
Re: Does WNDR3700 require LAN connection for wireless to function?
Not sure that I follow what is going on in your layout, but if the WNDR3700 router is not connected to modem that delivers your Internet, then there is no way that your wifi can connect to the Internet. There is no magic wireless connection between the router and the modem.
Re: Does WNDR3700 require LAN connection for wireless to function?
Our apartment complex provides internet service for every single apartment individually included in the rent, so I do not have my own internet service plan. They have a modem on their end and have every room within each apartment connected so that if one plugs into a LAN access outlet in any room within the appartment (every room has one), we access the apartment-specific network. My setup for the past year (which has worked fine) is to connect my Netgear router into any of the LAN access outlets, then a PC into the router, and I have been able to manage wireless networks while also having a local connection to the same PC.
The problem with this situation, is that the PC is on the farthest point of one side of my aparment, and the WiFi signal isn't strong enough to reach the other side. I would like to leave my PC where it is at and plug the router into a seperate LAN access outlet so that I get stronger signal in the other side of the appartment. Again, all of the LAN access outlets are connected as one network beyond the modem.
When I test the connection with any of the LAN access outlets in the home:
-If I connect the PC (or Xbox/any device with a LAN port) directly into any of the LAN access outlets in the apartment they have functioning internet access.
-If I connect the Netgear router to any LAN access outlet via the "internet" plug on the router, then plug my PC into any of the "ethernet" plugs on the router, I have a functioning WiFi network as well as a direct local line on my PC. This PC can access and change settings within the router.
-If I connect the Netgear router to any LAN access outlet via the "internet" plug on the router, but do not plug a PC into any of the "ethernet" ports, I no longer have functioning WiFi access, but the the network continues to appear visible.
My question is if there is a way I can get the Netgear router to emit functioning WiFi without a PC connected to its "ethernet" port.
Hopefully that clears things up, thanks again for your help.
My question is if there is a way I can get the Netgear router to emit functioning WiFi without a PC connected to its "ethernet" port.
So, your WNDR3700 is connected to one of the LAN sockets in your apartment and you want to have the laptop plugged into a different LAN socket.
It is likely that the "modem" at the landlord's end it really a modem/router. This means you have their router and your router in the same network.
Two routers on your network can cause headaches. For example, you can end up with local address problems. Among other things, the other router can misdirect addresses that the Netgear router usually handles, such as routerlogin.net or the usual IP address for a router, 192.168.1.1.
The way to break the link between the laptop and the WNDR3700 is normally to set it up in wireless access point (AP) mode.
One problem is that your router is so old (2009) that it does not have a simple "switch" to put it into AP mode.
If you have a newer version of the WNDR3700 then there is hope. What does it say on the label? Look for the V? bit, if it doesn't have V2 or higher then it is V1. V4 and V5 have bits in the manual on using it as an AP.
Re: Does WNDR3700 require LAN connection for wireless to function?
I'm not sure of specific devices that others are using, but there are dozens of WiFi networks within range. The landlord didn't recommend a specific brand and said any router will do.
Based off of the age of my current router, would you recommend just upgrading it instead of purchasing range extenders? Would I see enough of a benefit with that option?
Also, given the previously discussed internet setup at my apartment, if I did purchase a new router, would a router/modem combination device likly cause more issues than a router alone? This is in regards to the double NAT issue you mentioned.
Based off of the age of my current router, would you recommend just upgrading it instead of purchasing range extenders? Would I see enough of a benefit with that option?
You do not need a router if this is what the landlord already provides. (Try asking them.) The router is there to act like a "post room" and to look at all the devices you are trying to connect and to hand out addresses for each device so that the traffic flows to the right places.
A centralised Internet service, like an apartment block, may already have a post room that directs traffic in the right direction.
If you buy a router, you'll just have to disable the router bit, which seems to be a waste of money.
Also, given the previously discussed internet setup at my apartment, if I did purchase a new router, would a router/modem combination device likly cause more issues than a router alone?
The last thing you need is a router/modem. The landlord already has the modem, and probably the router.
If the apartment isn't gigantic, an inexpensive wifi extender in the middle could well fill the bill. Get something that you can return if it doesn't work out!
