PCI WiFi card as a network access point

[step1041]

Hey Everyone, 

 

I have a TP-Link N300 TL-WN851ND network card that I want to put into my server to act as a wireless access point for the 2nd floor of my house. It would be bridging from the ethernet port on the motherboard and then broadcasting the same network credentials as the rest of the wireless network. 

 

I was just wondering what the easiest way of doing this was in Windows Server 2012. My hope is to have it work just like any other wireless access point. Thanks!

[SlayerOfHellWyrm]

Well, Windows Server 2012 is the same as 8 for the core OS stuff, with the server stuff on top. You can either do it the old fashioned way, or the fun way: via command line, luckily for you I made a guide on this a bit ago: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/183394-creating-a-windows-wifi-hotspot-with-a-pc/

[step1041]

Well, Windows Server 2012 is the same as 8 for the core OS stuff, with the server stuff on top. You can either do it the old fashioned way, or the fun way: via command line, luckily for you I made a guide on this a bit ago: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/183394-creating-a-windows-wifi-hotspot-with-a-pc/

That looks great. I assume it will get the IP addresses via DHCP on my main router and allow access to other computers and devices on the network. I'll try it out and see what happens. I was hoping to use this for Nvidia Gamestream as the server is closer to where i would play and closer to my desktop (gaming desktop and server are on the same switch coming from the wireless router).

[SlayerOfHellWyrm]

Yes. DHCP will still be done via your router, since it'll sue the DHCP server setting of the shared connection.

[step1041]

Yes. DHCP will still be done via your router, since it'll sue the DHCP server setting of the shared connection.

Perfect. One more question though. Will it retain the bridge on restart? 

[SlayerOfHellWyrm]

If you do it via the GUI, yes, otherwise no. However, you could simply have a script create it each time you boot, or just write a small batch file with the commands in it, and put that on the desktop.

Note, in the GUI method, I even mention you can save it, however, you have to make sure to check the box. I don't usually have LAN and WiFi connected simultaneously,. Adhoc I believe is disabled on Win 8, and since Server 2012 is so similiar, I believe you have to do it via command line.

[step1041]

My plan was to do the command line option anyways. I have done some linux scripting so this should be fairly easy. I'll give it a go maybe tomorrow.

[SlayerOfHellWyrm]

My plan was to do the command line option anyways. I have done some linux scripting so this should be fairly easy. I'll give it a go maybe tomorrow.

Yep, just use notepad, type the commands in on their own line, and set the save type to any, and call it whatever.bat or .cmd

[step1041]

Yep, just use notepad, type the commands in on their own line, and set the save type to any, and call it whatever.bat or .cmd

Sounds good, thanks!

[step1041]

Ok I just gave it a shot and it doesn't seem to be working quite the way I want. 

 

The hosted network doesn't seem to have any sort of bridge to the network the PC is connected to. It creates its own DHCP server that dishes out its own IP addresses with an internet connection. This method works great for internet browsing, but not for video streaming or Nvidia Gamestream that requires a connection to another PC on the network.

 

Or maybe I did it wrong.