Connect MiFi 4510L to Ethernet Router/Network

Question

What is the simplest way to connect the MiFi 4510L to my home ethernet router/network?

I have a PC (Windows XP) and printer (HP 7310c) that are both connected by ethernet to my current wireless router (NetGear WGR614). I also have a laptop that has WiFi built into it. So, connecting the laptop to the MiFi 4510L is not a problem. But, I would like to connect my other ethernet-based devices to the MiFi 4510L.

I know that I can plug a USB WiFi adapter into my computer (running Windows XP) and then I could attach the network printer to the computer and share it. So, that would be one option. But, I would like other options because I would like to receive WiFi signals from the MiFi 4510L in my basement. I can get WiFi in the basement with my current NetGear wireless router, but not with the MiFi 4510L.

I was wondering if a wireless repeater with LAN ports would do the trick of allowing me to use ethernet for my PC and printer, and get the extended WiFi range that I currently have with my NetGear wireless router.

statdetective · Accepted Answer

@willzz999,

I really appreciate the answer. I did find a Wireless Extender (NetGear Universal WiFi Range Extender WN2000RPT) at my local Best Buy and thought I would try it.

Just as you indicated in your reply, my existing router and the MiFi 4510L router are both configured to assign IP addresses, which results in conflicts. I know that it would be possible to configure both devices so that DHCP conflicts wouldn't occur﻿, but it would take me a lot of time to learn how to do this.

Here is what I finally did:

1. Configure the WN2000RPT as a wireless bridge. The device has four ethernet ports, just like my current router.

2. Disconnect the wired devices from the router and connect them to the WN2000RPT.

3. Turn off the router.

4. When I initially installed the printer, I assigned it a static IP address that was beyond the range of the DHCP for the wireless router IP address assignments. I had to make sure that the static IP address was being referenced by the machines that were trying to print.

The MiFi 4510L supports 5 wireless connections. It also assigns 9 IP addresses. So, this means that it can support the four ethernet connections on the WN2000RPT, in addition to the 5 wireless connections it already supports. One wireless connection (and IP address) will be used by the WN2000RPT. However, the WN2000RPT also sends out a WiFi broadcast, so the wireless devices can connect to it, also. This means that the MiFi 4510L - WN2000RPT combination will support 8 devices on my home internet, without configuring subnets.

BTW, I intend to replace my current wireless broadband service with the Verizon 4G service using the MiFi 4510L. The limits, speed, and price for my current wireless broadband service are nearly identical to those for the Verizon 4G service. This means that I can have essentially the same home Internet service with the addition of being able to take the MiFi 4510L on the road. I am not depending upon the home internet service for business usage, so it's ok if there a few glitches while Verizon is rolling the 4G out.