The SSID does need to be the same for every AP or machine on the same wireless network. I guess I was having problems because the two wireless boxes were too close to each other.
The 900AP+ has a "Wireless Client" mode. There's a "Site Survey" button that will sniff out available wireless MAC addresses.
Since DHCP only works if the PC can find a DHCP server, I set a static IP address on my T41 laptop and entered the DNS numbers.
While I was on the other end of the house, I hooked up the 900AP+ to the Ethernet port on my T41 and had it sniff for wireless MAC addresses. It found one so I selected "Wireless Client" mode. It works - it finds the wireless network and then the Internet. It seems like the connection is stronger than simply using the wireless built into the laptop, but there's no signal strength indicator in this arrangement. :-(
Thus, I can have an Internet connection using our PowerBook or T41 by simply plugging into the 900AP+. No additional hardware is required. To make a true wireless connection I'll need a Repeater that is compatible with an AP (so I'd need a different AP to work with the 900AP+).
The real benefit is this arrangement should also let me do pseudo-wireless work with [link|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=146030|Xandros].
Yay! No more wireless purchases needed for a while! :-)
Cheers,
Scott.