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47487
February 11th, 2004 21:00
Truemobile 2300 as access point
I just got a inspiron 8600 with a Truemobile 2300. My existing network uses a D-Link 704P wired router (with Print Server). The 704P is connected to the Internet via a Surfboard Cable Modem. I'd like to use the 2300 as an Access Point to connect to the network.
Using the default configuration, I can access the Internet, but not the networked computers. Following the instructions in the manual (on disk) causes the connection to vanish - even to the 2300!
Can anyone give me instructions to configure my 8600/2300 to connect to my network?
I'd really apprecieate any help you can offer.
Thanks.
Stephen
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jwatt
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February 11th, 2004 23:00
I just posted this a few minutes ago in another thread...
This section of the TM2300 manual explains how to make it become an access point.
Is that the section you followed for instructions?
Jim
sgreen0
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February 12th, 2004 02:00
Jim!
I did use those instructions. I tried one more time just for the sake of thoroughness. I wonder if I don't have a slightly different version of the firmware than is illustrated. When I click Next after changing the function from Gateway to Access Point, I don't get a message box about disable DHCP - I have to go to that menu and change it myself. And then I get a screen that requires me to release and renew the IP...
Is the default IP of the router OK to use? Also, if I move the ethernet cable (from the D-Link router) from the Internet port to a LAN port, I not only have no network, but no interenet!
Any ideas?
Stephen
johnallg
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February 12th, 2004 02:00
After you set it up as an Access Point and save it, then you need to unplug it from the network cabling, connect a LAN port to your other router's LAN, and you should have it. Of course the manual also tells you to do this.
sgreen0
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February 12th, 2004 13:00
John!
Thanks for the info. I'm still not clear on this. With the 2300 in its default mode, I can access the internet wirelessly (sp?) from the Inspiron 8600. The only wire attached at the time is an ethernet cable from the Internet port (2300) to a LAN port on the D-Link 704P.
I'm accessing the 2300 setup using the 8600 (wireless connection). I go through the routine mentioned above. When I move the cable fron the Internet port to a LAN port on the 2300, I not only don't get a network connection, I lose the internet.
Also, I noticed that the screens that come up during configuration of the 2300 don't match the instructions in the manual. Do I have older/newer firnware? How can I check?
This is very frustrating. I really appreciate any help you can offer.
Thanks everyone.
Stephen
jwatt
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February 12th, 2004 15:00
Stephen,
When you attach the cable to one of the LAN ports on the 2300, does the LED corresponding to the LAN port light (see this illustration)
<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
? If it does not, and you know the cable works, you may need a "crossover" cable between the 2300 and the D-Link.
I checked to be sure I was referencing the most recent copy of the Dell manual for the 2300. It's listed as P/N M1683 Revision A00, July 2003. It's always possible that the manual hasn't been updated to reflect the latest firmware, but the basic steps to convert the 2300 to an access point haven't changed.
Jim
sgreen0
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February 13th, 2004 13:00
Jim!
Sorry it took so long to get back - my wife took the laptop to work.
OK, here's what I did. I went through the procedure again. After selecting Access Point mode. I turned off DHCP (this wasn't actually in the instructions, just in a note at the top). Then I assigned a new IP to the 2300. It occurred to me that it should be within the range of the D-Link, so I opend the D-Link config on my desktop and looked at its DHCP client list - remember, the 2300 WAS connecting to the internet. I used the IP already assigned by the D-Link. Then I was instructed (onscreen) to run ipconfig /release & renew. This worked.
I'm on the LAN and on the internet. Whew!
Thanks everyone for you help - I may need it again.
Stephen
jwatt
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February 13th, 2004 17:00
It sounds like the TM2300 manual needs revision! According to the manual, you must assign an IP address manually, since the 2300 (it says) cannot act as a DHCP client in Access Point mode.
Yet from the fact that you found an entry for the 2300 in the D-Link's list of DHCP clients, that's not true.
The manual also says that switching to Access Point mode automatically disables the DHCP server, although you have to click on "OK" to acknowlege that the DHCP server will be disabled. That's apparently not quite the way the current firmware functions, either.
Hopefully Dell will bring the manual into better agreement with what the firmware does.
Jim
sgreen0
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February 13th, 2004 18:00
Jim!
Your observations are correct. I found it interesting that with the cable in the Internet port of the 2300 and with all the default settings in the firmware, I was able to access the internet. The fact that the D-Link "saw" the 2300 and gave it an IP address despite the 2300's own DHCP being on is just wierd.
Well, it's working fine now. I'll just have to remember all this so I can repeat it if I ever have to re-program the 2300 for the network.
Thanks for your input.
Stephen
sgreen0
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February 13th, 2004 18:00
Jim!
I just discovered another "issue" with the 2300. I just logged onto the router using the IP I assigned it. I clicked on Device Status and according to the router's firmware, there is no internet connection. However, there clearly is (via the LAN). Is the 2300 only checking to see if there is a signal on the Internet port? If so, for a new user like me that's a little confusing...
Stephen
jwatt
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February 13th, 2004 18:00
That's actually "as advertised". If the 2300 were connected directly to a cable or DSL modem, and the ISP assigned the WAN (Internet) side address via DHCP, that feature would be needed.
It's also useful that the 2300's DHCP client works on the LAN side if the device is configured as an access point. The only real reason for a static assignment is so you know what IP address to use to reach the 2300's Web server for configuring it. But (as you discovered!) you can always look up the 2300's IP address if you know its MAC address in your DHCP server.
It'd be nicer if the manual said that!
Jim
jwatt
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February 13th, 2004 18:00
It sounds like your analysis is right, and it certainly is confusing! If the router's set up in Access Point mode, there obviously won't be anything connected on the Internet side! Sheeesh...
By the way...do you know if the firmware in your 2300 is current? That's not a suggestion that you should update...just curious, that's all...
A corollary to "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" is "If you know how it's broken, and you can work around the problem, the fix may give you a different, maybe worse problem!"
Jim
jwatt
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February 13th, 2004 19:00
Looks like it's almost current...
Release Title: Network: Dell TrueMobile 2300 Wireless Broadband Router, Firmware, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows XP, Multi Language, Multi System, v.3.0.0.8, A02
Release Date: 8/8/2003
It also claims "First release".
That info's here, on the download page. I wouldn't install that, for the reason I suggested earlier!
Jim
sgreen0
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February 13th, 2004 19:00
How do I find the firmware date on the 2300?
I can't find it in the setup pages. On the bottom of the router, the manufacture date is 1/28/04 so I guess the firmware is the latest. Or...
Stephen
sgreen0
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February 13th, 2004 19:00
Yup, it's there. I didn't see it first time 'round.
V. 3.0.0.8 (7/24/03)
Is that current?
S.
jwatt
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February 13th, 2004 19:00
Jim