How to Change a Wireless Router to a Wireless Receiver

Wireless routers are designed to take an incoming high-speed Internet connection, such as cable or DSL, and share it with other computers on the local network with both wired and wireless capabilities. Alternatively, a wireless router can be converted into a wireless receiver, or access point. When a router is converted into an access point, its WAN interface is not used. Additionally, the router does not provide DHCP service, which automatically configures IP addresses on computers. When a router is used as an access point, it bridges wireless devices and allows them to participate on the network without performing any routing tasks.

Instructions

1. Connect an Ethernet cable from a computer to one of the LAN ports on the router.

2. Open a Web browser and type the router's IP address into the address bar. Press "Enter." Common addresses are "192.168.0.1," "192.168.1.1," "192.168.1.254" and "192.168.2.1."

3. Enter the router's username and password, if prompted.

4. Configure the wireless settings, including the wireless SSID, as well as the encryption type and password, if applicable.

5. Disable the router's internal DHCP server. This is usually located under "LAN Settings" or a similar category.

6. Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the router's "LAN" ports to a switch or router on the local network. Do not use the router's "WAN" or "Internet" port for connecting.

7. Connect wireless devices to the wireless router, which now functions as an access point by bridging the wireless network with the wired local network.