Why can't I get two access points to work at the same time?

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Summary: Adding a second access point to your network is a great way to extend your range. But you'll need to take care to avoid configuration conflicts.

It's likely that there's a simple solution to this.

Access points have become "smart" devices, and that means you need to be able to configure them. Configuring them means that you need to be able to access them across the network. That means they need an IP address.

I'll bet they both have the same, default IP address.

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I have a similar situation to yours: a LinkSys router, to which I've connected a LinkSys access point. I even have a second access point "ready to go" should I need to expand the range of my network.

My router, like many, is at a default fixed IP address on my LAN: 192.168.1.1. The access point also comes pre-configured to communicate using a fixed IP address: 192.168.1.245. Those two are different so that you can communicate to each device without confusion.

If I add a second access point, it too will be pre-configured to communicate on that same IP address: 192.168.245. Two devices can't share the same IP, and at a minimum confusion will result.

Here's the approach I recommend:

• "Once you've confirmed that this access point is working at its new IP address, you can plug in the second access point without conflict."

  Plug in the first access point.

• Access it via its default IP address of 192.168.1.245. (Remember that the default password for LinkSys equipment is "admin", with no user name.) You should see something like this:

  

  Note that the IP address listed is the default address: 192.168.1.245.

• Change that IP address. I simply changed the last number on mine:

  

• Click Save Settings

• Now, access the access point again via that new IP address. In my case, 192.168.1.246.

• Once you've confirmed that this access point is working at its new IP address, you can plug in the second access point without conflict.

That should do it.

Remember to record the IP address you've set for this access point. Since it's not the default address, you won't find it in any of the access point's documentation.

Related:

• Ask Leo! - Can I use a second wireless access point to extend my wireless network?

• Ask Leo! - How do I extend my network wirelessly?

• Ask Leo! - How should I set up my home network?

Article 11597 | Posted June 14, 2007