I want to link my network to my neighbor's network so that I can access his broadband link as I don't have a landline. I have two DLINK DWL-2100AP 108g Wireless Access Points (WAP) with high-gain, directional antennas. My neighbour's house is 200m away, with nothing in between, so it should work fine. However, I have hit a problem. Both WAPs have the same IP address. There is a facility for changing the IP address on the HOME/LAN screen, but when I try to apply the change I get an error message "Invalid Gateway". I haven't changed the gateway. Even if I access this screen and change nothing, "Apply" generates this error message. Does anyone know how to overcome this? Thanks

You should be configuring both AP's with them plugged into your neighbours SOHO router. Statically assign IP's that aren't in the DHCP scope so as to avoid any possibility of duplicate IP's. (Most SOHO routers use a scope like 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.200 so you have plenty of IP's to choose from.) Ensure you have the correct DNS and gateway addresses assigned as well. Put each AP on a different channel. Make one '1' and the other '11'. If they're on the same channel and too close together, they'll interfere with each other. Both should work and you can test by installing something like "net stumbler" on a laptop and using it to view any/all wireless networks. With both AP's plugged into the router, test to ensure they're working. The SSID on both AP's should be the same and I highly recommend using encryption (WPA) and every other security feature possible to secure the connection and prevent others from using it. Once it's all setup and working at your neighbours, then you should be able to set the antenna and AP up at your home and they should work.

Dear Kurt Thanks for your most helpful reply. I am a novice at networking so would appreciate an explanation of some of the things you say. How do I find the scope of the SOHO router's IP addresses? How do I find the DNS and gateway addresses? Thanks

Kurt Thanks again for your help. My internet connection is now up and running via my neighbour's connection. Once I figured the two APs had to be in WDS mode, everything was fairly straightforward.