[mix4fix]

Can you use a wireless access point or wireless router to receive WiFi and output wired to a distant computer?

[Peter J]

Mix, I'm not sure I understand your question. Perhaps you could give context.  Most wireless routers have extra in/out ports but many access points don't. But I suspect you know that.  Pose the scenario and let's see where that goes.

[js1955]

Wi-fi extender:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084CZMYNM/?coliid=I1IZYCDL40LHWE&colid=3CYUXA852AIKX&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

.....or something similar.

[JohnR]

He may be looking for a wifi bridge. I use a D-link DAP-1650 for that. The old Apple airport express used to do it too.

[mix4fix]

I want to receive WiFi from a main Wifi router, to have wired internet available to a remote computer. where there is no wired internet.

I was given this:
https://openwrt.org/
https://dd-wrt.com/

According to the second link, an old access point I have at home is compatible to do that.

[Peter J]

I want to receive WiFi from a main Wifi router, to have wired internet available to a remote computer. where there is no wired internet.

I was given this:
https://openwrt.org/
https://dd-wrt.com/

According to the second link, an old access point I have at home is compatible to do that.

Would probably work but why not a simple wireless adaptor on the remote computer? The bandwidth will be limited by the Wi-Fi network in either case, but maybe there's something I'm missing. I'm certainly on the fringes of my own knowledge so take that FWIW.

[jpm]

As mentioned by JohnR, a wireless bridge is what you're after. They can often be found under different names like "WiFi extender" but the functionality you need is the bridge part. As long as the device has an Ethernet socket you should be in good shape and there are plenty of inexpensive options available.

Edit - or if connecting a computer not a HiFi device, a USB WiFi adapter should work as well

[js1955]

Unless you are not describing it correctly......

or I am not understanding it correctly.....

this is what you are looking for:



It is the product I linked above.  It uses the home's wiring to transmit the internet signal to a remote location.  I use it to hardwire a music streamer, and it works great.

[Charles Xavier]

Wi-fi extender:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084CZMYNM/?coliid=I1IZYCDL40LHWE&colid=3CYUXA852AIKX&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

.....or something similar.

Same one I use to get a ethernet connection to my printer 2 floors up. Works great.

[WGH]

Years ago I helped a friend set up a wireless bridge using the old Linksys WAP54G. I was always a PIA to keep working because other people kept messing with the connections when the signal dropped out.

The WAP54G can also be flashed with the DD-WRT firmware.

Configuration is probably easier and more reliable now but networking is always confusing and non-intuitive.




The WAP54G could be either an Access Point (a generic Wi-Fi) or a Wireless Bridge which is locked to another WAP54G by the MAC Address but not both at the same time.

[mix4fix]

Years ago I helped a friend set up a wireless bridge using the old Linksys WAP54G. I was always a PIA to keep working because other people kept messing with the connections when the signal dropped out.

The WAP54G can also be flashed with the DD-WRT firmware.

Configuration is probably easier and more reliable now but networking is always confusing and non-intuitive.




The WAP54G could be either an Access Point (a generic Wi-Fi) or a Wireless Bridge which is locked to another WAP54G by the MAC Address but not both at the same time.

I have a WAP54G, but I only have one. Could I use a regular Wifi Router (WRT54GS) to do the same thing?

[WGH]

Could I use a regular Wifi Router (WRT54GS) to do the same thing?

I don't know. DD-WRT may be able to turn the WRT54GS into a wireless bridge, happily it's been over 10 years since I messed with this stuff.

https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=285418

[mix4fix]

I don't know. DD-WRT may be able to turn the WRT54GS into a wireless bridge, happily it's been over 10 years since I messed with this stuff.

https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=285418

You are my go to guy.

 

[viggen]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09N72FMH5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

[WGH]

... and output wired to a distant computer?

Even though the subject of this post says "wireless access point" I took the question literally when the OP asked for a wired output (many tower computers don't have wi-fi) which can only be achieved using a wireless bridge or wireless repeater. Not all wireless routers have the capability to also become a wireless bridge unless it is flashed with DD-WRT.

I used the discontinued Linksys WAP54G (it's a WAP not a WRT, the letters get confusing) as a wireless repeater. Wireless Bridge and Wireless Repeater communicate differently, RTFM.


The WRT54G version numbers frequently changed, some work with DD-WRT, some not so much. It's kind of a mix and match of Linksys router version # and DD-WRT release #
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series

[mix4fix]

Linksys WAP54 v3
Linksys WRT54GS v4

These are the two I have. Does it matter which one goes toward the modem, and which one goes to the device (a desktop using Daphile to stream music)?

[WGH]

Connect the WRT54GS to the desktop with Daphile.

The WAP54G is connected to the network via it's one LAN Input



Note: For the AP Client and Wireless Bridge modes, the remote access point must be a second Linksys Wireless-G Access Point (model number: WAP54G). For the Wireless Repeater mode, the remote wireless bridge must be a second Linksys Wireless-G Access Point (model number: WAP54G) or Wireless-G Router (model number: WRT54G).
https://downloads.linksys.com/downloads/userguide/1224638675572/WAP54G_V30_UG_A-WEB,0.pdf

Note: I always had trouble accessing the WAP54G interface using a MAC OS, there was some incompatibility with the old OS my friend was using so I had to bring my Windows laptop to adjust settings.

With careful reading of the manual you might get it working the first time. I don't think you need to mess with DD-WRT at all, both routers should work as-is. I never configured a WRT54GS, always two WAP54G routers but it should be similar.

[mix4fix]

Update:
Both devices have upgraded firmware. Any idea on what comes next?

[WGH]

Any idea on what comes next?

What come next is the opposite of plug-and-play. Both routers need to be configured to talk to one another. Reading both manuals will be next.

The link to the $40 repeater posted by viggen looks like a "what's next" too if the Linksys configuration gets too dense and nerdy.

[Doublej]

Or buy a USB wifi dongle for the desktop and call it a day? I put a question mark intentionally because one cannot assume that all wifi dongles with work with all operating systems.

Here is an article on the subject:

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-wi-fi-adapters/