I have an older Netgear router, a wndr3700 that I want to use as a WAP.
It had an older version of OpenWrt installed but I could see it when I logged into it.
The wndr is plugged into a Netgear fast switch which is wired to my ATT router.
I did a little exploring of the wndr but it was not connected through the switch to my router. The Wrt has a self test of connecting to an internet site and that's what I tried.
So, does it make a difference as to which side of the switch that the old Netgear is plugged into ?
I think you want your WAP directly connected to the router. Wired PCs can be directly connected to the switch. I haven't tried connecting a WAP to the switch before:
modem <---> router <---> switch <---> PC1
^ ^^^
| |||
| ||\----- PC2
WAP ||
|\-----PC3
|
PC4
If the switch is unmanaged it doesn't make any difference whether it is connected on the switch or on the router.