Re: Free Muni or other hotspot access from a sailboat??

On Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:36:19 GMT, "Stephen H. Fischer"
<sfischer1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
<7bDmg.9587$lf4.4114@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

I just discovered that the Buffalo EC does show the connected MAC address on
another display.

I need to learn more about IP addresses to see if I can set the Buffalo EC
to a IP address so that I can connect to it with IE and look at the MAC
address it is connected to while still connected to the internet.

I currently only know how to connect to the Buffalo EC by changing the IP
address on my EN adapter on my HTPC.
This disconnects me from the Internet as the MetroFI assigned IP address is
no longer being used.

This is a common problem and a source of endless grief to those try to
setup and use client bridges: the NIC on the computer needs a manual IP
on the same subnet to connect to the client bridge interface but then
can't access the Internet, and when configured for DHCP through the
client bridge can talk to the Internet but not the client bridge.

Ways to overcome this include: (a) dual-homed NIC, which is tricky under
Windows; (b) 2nd NIC, one with DHCP for the Internet, the other manually
configured to talk to the client bridge; (c) different computers for
client bridge config (manually configured) and Internet access (DHCP);
or (d) connection manager software for rapid changing of NIC
configuration profiles.

I'll add this to the Wiki. :)

Inability to connect to a MAC address when there are several AP's with the
same SSID present.

Note: The above link indicates that there is one device that allows this.

Still, it's not really a problem, because that's not a normal thing to
do -- it's normally supposed to make the choice of wireless hosts with a
given SSID itself. It should pick the best signal, which isn't
necessarily the strongest signal -- interference (signal quality) is
also important.

The switching to another AP with the same SSID without permission. I cannot
confirm this. MetroFI's network may allow this, I suspect this as my IP
assigned address is always the same.

Again, "that's a feature, not a bug." It's how wireless roaming is
supposed to work. Most would prefer *not* to hang on to a given access
point when a better one is available.

The big issue here is that the Wi-Fi Forum hasn't sorted out all the
issues of Wi-Fi roaming.

The problem is that the new AP may have a much higher error rate even though
it's signal strength may be stronger. I often see the connection go almost
unusable after a good period.

Given that there's a good period, that's probably not the fault of your
client.

I have one good AP that that has a strong signal and low error rate.
MetroFI told me live that I was connected to another one ~ 180 degrees in
the opposite direction that my directional antenna was pointing.

I changed the direction toward the indicated AP and the error rate was so
bad that I could not get an IP address assigned.

Directing the antenna into the direction of the good AP (Which I believe was
silent) I could connect to the bad AP with a dismal service rate.

I'm frankly surprised you get the "bad" AP at all -- sounds like your
antenna isn't very directional. Try a better one.

The Mfg's I suspect never will address the problem of providing information
to really understand problems like I am seeing

It shouldn't be happening, but some problems like this are inevitable in
crowded unlicensed spectrum -- that's the price we pay.

Thus I must guess what is happening and why so much of the time I have had a
dismal service from MetroFI for the past many months.

MetroFI dies not provide any information other than "Buy the Buffalo EC".

If it works it works. But all you may need is a better antenna.

Currently their AP's near me may be up and down very often, but then I am
just guessing.

I doubt it.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_How_To>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
.

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