[Discuss] Looking for WiFi router with certain characteristics

[bogstad at pobox.com (Bill Bogstad)]

On Thu, Jul 31, 2014 at 7:13 PM, Richard Pieri <richard.pieri at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 7/31/2014 5:17 PM, Tom Metro wrote:
>> Richard Pieri wrote:
>>> The correct solution is to configure the Edimax as an Ethernet bridge,
>>> disable NAT and disable DHCP services.
>>
>> a.k.a. Access point mode? :-)
>
> No. It's an access point. Period. It's currently configured as a NAT
> gateway. It needs to be configured as an Ethernet bridge.

Terminology confusion.    In 802.11 style nomenclature any device that
forwards Ethernet style packets between wireless endpoints is an
AP (access point).   Most such devices can also act as an Ethernet
bridge to a wired Ethernet (the LAN ports on such devices).   Most
of them can also act as a (typically NAT based) IP router to the WAN
port on the device.   Most of them will also provide DHCP, DNS and other
IP based services.

Richard is noting the fact that all devices of this type are acting as an AP no
matter which  configuration "mode" you put them in.   The issue is
what additional service
on top of being an AP they are providing.   In this case, the only services
that appear to be desired are acting as an AP and doing Ethernet bridging
to a wired Ethernet.   Finding some configuration that turns off (or at least
ignores) all the other services is what is desired.   Disabling the DHCP service
in particular is the most critical.   You don't want this device to
be offering IP addresses (and default routes) to anyone.   If the "AP mode"
configuration of the device doesn't achieve this then some other configuration
change that does is required.  If there is no way to disable the DHCP server
on the device then it is probably not suitable for the task.

Bill Bogstad