Wi-Fi Dead Spots in Meetinghouse

[drepouille]

My wife and I recently became the FamilySearch Center coordinators at our stake center. All of our patron PCs have ChromeOS Flex installed, mainly for security and ease of maintenance. Several patrons want Windows and Windows applications. I proposed that such patrons BYOD (bring their own devices) to the FSC. But the problem is that our FSC is located in a Wi-Fi dead spot. It is in the middle of a long hallway that runs down one side of the stake center. The WAPs are located in the four corners of the stake center.

Although we plan to ask the FM to install another WAP in or near the FSC, I installed a temporary solution last night. I have an old Linksys router, which I configured as a wireless repeater. I placed it in the FSC as close as possible to the nearest WAP. Now FSC patron devices can connect to the stronger signal from the wireless repeater. I decided not to use the same SSID was the WAP, because I didn't the technical issues that causes. I chose a different SSID, but with the same password.

I really wanted to configure my Linksys router as a wired bridge, which I would connect between the firewall/switch and one of the patron AIO PCs. I couldn't get it to work last night, probably because I foolishly connected the firewall/switch cable to the WAN port of my router. Perhaps I will try again the next time I am there.

Question: Should I disable DHCP in my router, to disable NAT? I think that is recommended.

[russellhltn]

You may need to consult your router's manual. You need to make it be an Access Point and nothing more. I'm not sure as the browser plugin on the BYOD is going to work if you run it as a router.

Yes, DHCP needs to be turned off. If left on, it can screw up the entire network.

[adkinsjm]

Don’t connect unauthorized equipment is my advice.

[nmecantwin73]

Don’t connect unauthorized equipment is my advice.

I agree. It is best to work with the FM to have an additional WAP installed in or near the FSC.

[Mikerowaved]

Don’t connect unauthorized equipment is my advice.

Part of the firewall's job is to search for rouge AP's connected to the network.