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    Robert452
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When is a Router Not a Router?

OK, not the right place/forum I know but the question is related to our Element 2 and the ETCpad. Posted this elsewhere and you would not believe the answers!

My understanding; a "Router" acts between a WAN and a LAN. It doles out IP addresses for the LAN (DHCP usually).  A WAP (Wireless Access Point) is like any device CAT5'd to a Router's RJ45 socket. It doesn't issue IP's it merely extends the CAT5 through the air so to speak but is responsible for managing all the (WiFI) logged in devices so they get the right answers to their requests.

So here is my question; when NETGEAR say the AC1000 is a "WiFi Router" is it really a Router and a WAP in one box or is the term Router thrown in to indicate it's traffic handling? I ask because these things always want to be connected (to a real) Router

Why am I asking?. Because to set up this box I have to connect it to a Router(!) which means Internet access is possible which is a no no. If I set it up (user name / password and then disconnect for Router can I still use the WAP function to run the ELE2 (CAT5) into and have the ETCpad talk to? 

We are not using Artnet, sACN (hard wired DMX throughout) and have set the Console to allow Remote, enable WiFI connects and server mode to DHCP. Just want the simplest secure setup to connect 1 console with 1 ETCpad. Nothing else.

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    when you buy something called WiFi-Router you usually buy three devices in one: a router, an access point and a switch.

    - a router connects two networks
    - an access point converts cabled network to wireless network
    - a switch allows physical, wired connection and communication between devices in the same network

    in your case all you need is an access point. you can use the router portion of the device as well, you just don't have to. there's nothing holding you back from using the router part, that is or is not acting as DHCP server as well.

    a WiFi router will not talk to the internet as long as you don't physically connect it to the internet.

  • 0 in reply to ueliriegg

    Great; yes, I thought there would be that ubiquitous switch in the mix. I think any box with more than one RF45 socket is "switched" unless its a dumb hub. But your saying a "access point" converts cabled networks to wireless networks confused me somewhat. I see a signal from the cable as > Modem (to demod RF to serial bits) > Router (to check, correct and move WAN to LAN traffic) and the switch for multiple hardwired clients and/or WAP to/from WiFi's stuff.

    My saying this is because several times over the past few days I have heard a WAP (only - no router) referred to as a "Access Point" when in fact it's not connected to the internet.

    So tomorrow; I put console into DHCP, connect the WiFi router then try to connect the ETCpad. Interestingly I run the EOS software at home (what a great training/teaching tool, Kudos ETC) and connect to it over my home network to the ETCpad with no problems. Fingers crossed then.

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  • 0 in reply to ueliriegg

    Great; yes, I thought there would be that ubiquitous switch in the mix. I think any box with more than one RF45 socket is "switched" unless its a dumb hub. But your saying a "access point" converts cabled networks to wireless networks confused me somewhat. I see a signal from the cable as > Modem (to demod RF to serial bits) > Router (to check, correct and move WAN to LAN traffic) and the switch for multiple hardwired clients and/or WAP to/from WiFi's stuff.

    My saying this is because several times over the past few days I have heard a WAP (only - no router) referred to as a "Access Point" when in fact it's not connected to the internet.

    So tomorrow; I put console into DHCP, connect the WiFi router then try to connect the ETCpad. Interestingly I run the EOS software at home (what a great training/teaching tool, Kudos ETC) and connect to it over my home network to the ETCpad with no problems. Fingers crossed then.

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  • 0 in reply to Robert452
    Robert452 said:
    My saying this is because several times over the past few days I have heard a WAP (only - no router) referred to as a "Access Point" when in fact it's not connected to the internet

    Perhaps a confusion in terminology - an Access Point is also called a WAP (Wireless Access Point) and its function is to allow wireless access to a wired network. The Access Point does not have to be connected to the "Internet" - in many ETC lighting networks people have set up just a WAP (not a "router") to allow use of wireless devices (iPad, etc.) without any connection to the Internet.

    The "router" is only necessary if you need to translate one IP range to another as sstaub notes in his post.

    Everything works easily on your home network because your home router is handling all of the network  traffic flow. In the ETC system, you need to explicitly configure the network, which is unfortunately not as easy.

    -Todd

  • 0 in reply to tdrga

    In the end I found that connecting the ETCpad( wiFi off)  directly to the ELE2 and setting up network in shell (DHCP) etc got me going. Then turned on WiFi and connected pad to a Netgear WiFi router (without any changes to it) after removing CAT5 and made the connection. I spent a day with an old WAP and got nowhere. Inexpensive new Router WiFi and it took minutes. The RJ45 dongle on the ETCpad is great for trouble shooting but also makes for a great "handle"!

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