Here's the issue:

1. Have a non-Openwrt router as internet gateway. It serves wireless and wired clients.
2. Among the wireless clients one is an Asus WL-550GP with K7.09 based on kernel 2.4
3. It's setup in sta mode and has a static IP assigned to the wireless/wan interface
4. If no LAN clients are connected to the Asus, I cannot access (ssh or even ping) it from the wireless network (yes, port 22 is open). I need this ability because this Asus acts as a network music player (running mpd) besides sometimes providing internet access to computers in the same room.
5. All's well if I have a machine connected to the LAN port of Asus. I can see the "AIR" and "LANx" lights blinking etc. I can disconnect the machine after a few minutes and all's still well - meaning I can access ssh amd mpd.

How do I debug the issue? Thanks in advance.