WAP610N - DHCP issues

[gv]

Integrating a dhcp server into an access point doesn't make much sense. An access point is a layer 2 bridge. You must have a router somewhere else. That's where you usually find the dhcp server if you don't operate your own.

As wired and wireless is the same LAN and same broadcast domain any dhcp server works in the whole LAN network and not only in one part. Any other brand access point won't do that differently. That's no "simple configuration".

The bug is that the WAP doesn't forward dhcp requests correctly. That would not change whether the the WAP had an dhcp server or not.

[maudam]

I disagree with you. The AP should have a Dhcp server for, at least, two different reasons.

First not all networks have dhcp server active and i can't see why activate this service for all the network only to lease addresses to wireless hosts.

Second thing with the Dhcp active on the ap i can assign to wireless host a spcific block of addresses, for example for filtering and access limitations, or simply with different lease duration respect of cabled hosts.

For example, in this network i already have a AP of a different brand with Wireless B/G only and i bought the Wap610N to expand the wireless with N standard. The actual AP HAVE the Dhcp server and the cabled network is fully static. Dhcp broadcasts are answered by the ap only on the wireless side of connection and cabled hosts can't have a lease by the AP.

Six pc, a couple of network printers, a cabled router and the network run smootly without dhcp. Why should i have to make the network more complex and more insecure activating a Dhcp for all ?

I think every configuration is different and this case would be more and more easier with this simple thing. A generic AP like this one should have all the standard fetures and leave the admin free to use all that is needed. The actual AP have all the features and is 5 years old...

Btw do you know that the WAP610N simply cannot be configured without a dhcp server active on the network ?

Linksys didn't add the static ip to the default config.

[gv]

Incorrect.

An AP is similar to what an Ethernet switch does for wired connections. It extends the LAN. You could apply the same arguments to Ethernet switches, yet none of them has dhcp servers.

What other brand AP has an dhcp server?

Dhcp is broadcast in a LAN segment. All devices in the same LAN must receive broadcasts. if an AP segments the broadcast domain even only for dhcp it breaks basic LAN protocols. dhcp is designed for a LAN segment. It is designed to broadcast. Broadcast are supposed to be delivered to the whole LAN.

Dhcp won't make your network more secure. Depending on the absence of a dhcp for security reasons won't make your network more secure.

I thought you can set up the WAP with the setup wizard...

[simone.s]

Hi,

I have a WAP610N linkde to a ADSL modem/router that act as a DHCP on the lan and the access point has a static IP itself, I'm a Microsoft MCSE, so I know well what I'm doing.

DHCP issues were not present in the previous firmware version 1.0.0.1, after upgrading the firmware a couple of days ago the DHCP issue happens.

I think that the best solution is to downgrade to the previous firmware version, if someone has a link to firmware 1.0.0.1   please let me know.

I have configured many access point and I think this is the only time I've verified this kind of problem, I wait for the true and right solution from Linksys or I will never buy a Linksys again.

[simone.s]

I've found old firmware, I've downgraded to th 1.0.0.1 version, problem still exist.

CISCO or Linksys YOU MUST FIX THIS PROBLEM

[chucko6166]

It is incredible that this problem has existed for so long.  Sadly, we've been asking for a fix for more than a year. 

http://homecommunity.cisco.com/t5/Access-Points/Ongoing-WAP610N-problems-with-no-fix-in-sight/td-p/3...

[maudam]

Dear GV you are wrong.

If you have read my previous post, i told that tha AP actually doing this job that is of another brand (i don't know if i can say the brand) have these features and i'm actually using it. i bought the WAP610 only to move to Wireless N technology.

For the function of the DHCP it won't broke any standard. Simply the AP intercepts the dhcp broadcasts and won't bridge them to cabled segment. I think i haven't to explain you how this goal can be reached with a simple filter. Most of actual AP and routers have linux inside...

For the security try to think to someone in the company that attach it's netbook to a lan port and have access to the network and internet. You should know that a lot of people don't understand the term "ip address" so the security is effectively increased by the absence of a dhcp server.

I know that there are a lot of other ways to increase the security but this is at zero cost and a lot of small business can't afford the price of a dedicated solution.

You should keep in mind that there are a lot of different necessities and a generic product should fulfill most of them to be really usable.

Coming back to WAP610N the AP is broken 'cause it can't forward dhcp broadcasts if WPA is enabled.

Moreover the AP CAN'T be configured if the network haven't a dhcp server active. The cd setup wizard won't find the AP in this case.

---

gv wrote:
Incorrect.

An AP is similar to what an Ethernet switch does for wired connections. It extends the LAN. You could apply the same arguments to Ethernet switches, yet none of them has dhcp servers.

What other brand AP has an dhcp server?

Dhcp is broadcast in a LAN segment. All devices in the same LAN must receive broadcasts. if an AP segments the broadcast domain even only for dhcp it breaks basic LAN protocols. dhcp is designed for a LAN segment. It is designed to broadcast. Broadcast are supposed to be delivered to the whole LAN.

Dhcp won't make your network more secure. Depending on the absence of a dhcp for security reasons won't make your network more secure.

I thought you can set up the WAP with the setup wizard...

---

[gv]

You can post the model which does it so much better. However, hacking Linux settings is not an option forba consumer device.

[maudam]

---

gv wrote:
You can post the model which does it so much better. However, hacking Linux settings is not an option forba consumer device.

---

I actually have this AP: Dlink DWL-2100AP and it is a 5 years old product!

About haking i never talk about hack the device. Given that all these devices have linux abord it is very simple (for the manufaturer) add this kind of features to the firmware. It's only matter of build a good interface and well config the underlying linux kernel and services.

[gv]

Then buy a D-Link.

Adding something to the web interface is one thing. Supporting it is another.

For a long time, Linksys has only implemented a minimalistic function set in each of their devices, e.g. wireless routers or access points like the WAP610N operate only as access point and not as wireless repeater or bridge. Of course, in technically it is possible to add this feature. But it's not implemented.

The DHCP server in a Linksys network is on the router.
The wireless access point is an wireless access point and nothing else.

If you don't like this don't buy Linksys.