DMA 2100 Wireless Networking

RAC · **25th March 2008, 10:39 PM**

Am I correct in assuming that my Notebook (which has wireless 11n on board) should be able to connect directly to the DMA 2100, wirelessly without going through my (DLink) wireless router? Linksys seems to want you to buy one of their wireless routers but I suspect that's just their wishfull marketing as in "Would you like fries with that?".

jansen · **29th March 2008, 11:56 AM**

I have the same question - I have a LinkSys DMA2100 media center extender and a LinkSys wireless-n PCI card installed in my PC. I tried setting up an adhoc computer to computer network, the DMA2100 would see it but not be able to connect to it.

Do I need to shell out for a LinkSys wireless-n router as well? Anyone's help much appreciated.

Thanks
Jansen

RAC · **30th March 2008, 08:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jansen

I have the same question - I have a LinkSys DMA2100 media center extender and a LinkSys wireless-n PCI card installed in my PC. I tried setting up an adhoc computer to computer network, the DMA2100 would see it but not be able to connect to it.

Do I need to shell out for a LinkSys wireless-n router as well? Anyone's help much appreciated.

Thanks
Jansen

Have you tried doing this through Vist Media Center (Tasks/Add Extender)? This starts up a wizard that takes you through the necessary steps. It asks for an 8 digit setup key for the Extender, no mention of a router. Becasue I don't actually have an Extender yet so I can't get past that step.

By the way you need Vista Media Center (VMC) for the DMA2100. I am interested to hear whether this works without shelling out for the Linksys Router. When I saw the DMA2100 in the shops routers were stacked up next to it. Both Linksys and the retailer are only to happy if you decide to by the router as well as the DMA2100.

jansen · **30th March 2008, 12:26 PM**

Hi RAC,

Yeah I have VMC and already tried the actions you meant - no success, so I am pretty sure now that LinkSys have prevented the DMA2100 working through ad-hoc network connections and requires a central router based network. I'm not usually a cynic, but I think they have done this on purpose so you have to buy the router.

Further update: I went back to the shop yesterday and got the LinkSys WRT350N Wireless-N Gigabit Router with Storage Link. The DMA2100 user guide recommends the LinkSys WRT600N Wireless-N Router but although I can find reviews on this product I don't think it is for sale in Australia yet.

Hence I swapped the WMP300N LinkSys Wireless-N PCI adaptor card out of my VMC and connected the VMC and Bigpond cable modem directly to the new router. I am a bit of a network novice with Vista so it took me a few hours but finally got my lounge VMC and bedroom extender working, and the work laptop hooked up.

Whilst I can say there were many hours of intense frustration setting the thing up, I now have an excellent network streaming HDTV, movies and music. Replacing the previous wireless-g router with the new LinkSys has increased the connection from 3.5 bars to 10.5 bars enabling HDTV (10 bars required) and normal TV (5 bars required) to play and increased responsiveness of the extender menus.

But to answer your initial question; from my experience is that unfortunately you absolutely need the router as well! Although I am open to be corrected if anyone else has a solution.

RAC · **30th March 2008, 08:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jansen

Hi RAC,

<snip>
But to answer your initial question; from my experience is that unfortunately you absolutely need the router as well! Although I am open to be corrected if anyone else has a solution.

Thanks, I think that I will hold back for a while as see what else appears on the market. I believe that DLink will have something soon.