can I connect a D-Link DWL-2100AP as client to any wireless network?

Question

I'm trying to use a D-Link DWL-2100AP to connect a printer to our wireless network. In theory this device can do exactly that, if configured as AP Client.

The device is detecting the wireless signal but, after providing the proper authentication info & password, there's no response. The WLAN led is not fixed in green and my laptop, connected to the DWL-2100AP, can't get to our network.

So I have two questions:

• ¿The access point to which the DWL-2100AP is connected has to be another DWL-2100AP? In my scenario it is not, is a wireless router.
• If the aswer to the previous question is "no, you can connect the DWL-2100AP to any wireless network" then... ¿how can I know if the thing is properly connected? ¿Just by looking at the leds?

Any tips or comments (or even answers!) are welcome :)

Thanks for your time!

Answer 1

You will want to configure the two devices to use "WDS", this is basically a radio-centric device-to-device linking protocol. It should coexist with your other clients with no problem.

Unfortunately different WDS implementations do not necessarily interoperate, but it is worth a shot if both sides support it. Might be cheaper in the long run just to get another 2100ap, though.

This is exactly the setup for WDS so once you get the connection you should be able to confirm it on the web easily. I have no idea how (or if!) the D-Link LEDs behave. :)