Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geek Speak => Topic started by: chris on 04/10/2008 15:37:25

Title: Can anyone recommend a low cost wireless switch?
Post by: chris on 04/10/2008 15:37:25
I would be grateful for any recommendations of low-cost wireless switches.

I have a wireless network at home controlled by a wireless ADSL router. There's also an AP (Access point) on the other side of the house to boost the signal over there.

However, I also have a number of wired devices including a terastation backup array and a laser printer, both of which I need to plug into a wired network.

At the moment I have to run a cable from my router to where the wired devices are and the swap the cable between them according to what I need to do.

It would be so much better if I had a wireless switch that would connect to the wireless network and then provide a whole heap of sockets into which I could plug wired devices - I guess a bit like an AP in reverse.

Any ideas anyone?

Chris
Title: Can anyone recommend a low cost wireless switch?
Post by: techmind on 04/10/2008 23:53:21
You might find that a "wireless print-server" such as the Netgear WGPS606 Wireless 54Mbps Printserver with 4-Port Switch does what you need.
This will act as a slave to the existing wireless router.
My parents bought one of these unwittingly when (for their application) they would have been better off with an ADSL router.

My parents' WGPS606 connects to a computer and printer, then wirelessly to a laptop. Their situation is complicated because there's no master device so they can only work in "ad-hoc" networking mode without full-strength WPA security. Since you already have a wireless router master-device, you won't have that problem.

I'm reasonably confident this widget would do what you want, but it would be worth talking to someone with more experience to absolutely confirm (especially with regard to connecting non-printer things like the backup device).


http://www.netgear.co.uk/extra/h_wireless_print_server_wgps606.php

This has 4 ethernet sockets as well as 2 USB sockets for USB printers.
You can plug printers and non-printers into the ethernet sockets.

The cost is probably £40-£60.
Title: Can anyone recommend a low cost wireless switch?
Post by: chris on 05/10/2008 00:21:40
Many thanks

Chris