Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- From: Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 10:27:35 -0700
Edmund <nomail@xxxxxxxxxxx> hath wroth:
An IMHO very elementary option to just scan for available
networks or hotspots show no signals strength or isn't available
at all!?
A WRT54G wireless router can be used as a client bridge. It has a web
based "site survey" feature with a "join" button to connect. It will
also bridge more than one MAC address, which is a useful feature for
connecting more than one PC. I can post screen shots if you want
them. Other alternative firmware Linux distributions have similar
features.
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php?title=Client_Mode_Wireless
You can also scan from the command line using the Linux "wl" command.
From a previous posting:
For example, from my palatial office:
wl ap 0 (turn off access point mode)
wl scan (scan for access points)
wl scanresults (display results)
wl ap 1 (turn access point mode back on)
SSID: "Mariposa's Art"
Mode: Managed RSSI: -89 dBm noise: -99 dBm Channel: 6
BSSID: 00:0D:88:BF:5A:97 Capability: ESS WEP ShortPre ShortSlot
Supported Rates: [ 1(b) 2(b) 5.5(b) 11(b) 6 12 24 36 9 18 48 54 ]
SSID: "CMS"
Mode: Managed RSSI: -75 dBm noise: -93 dBm Channel: 11
BSSID: 00:11:50:0C:92:F7 Capability: ESS WEP ShortSlot
Supported Rates: [ 1(b) 2(b) 5.5(b) 11(b) 18 24 36 54 6 9 12 48 ]
WPA:
multicast cipher: TKIP
unicast ciphers(1): TKIP
AKM Suites(1): WPA-PSK
No WPA Capabilities advertised
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php?title=Wl_command
Some other models like linksys WET54G
have only 60 mWatt from the already limited 100 mWatt allowed.
100mw is only 2.2dB greater than 60mw. You would do better with a
higher gain antenna, than with a power increase. DD-WRT allows you to
increase the xmit power to 250mw. There have been reports of chip
failures at the high end. I would not go over 150mw.
An OS independent model( HTTP configuration )
100 mWatt power
connecting a external directional antenna.
WEP and WPA
B and G band
Scanning for available hotspots or networks.
See the strength of these networks.
See what security they use.
Selectable channels
The WRT54G with DD-WRT will do all this. Do NOT buy the v5 hardware
version.
preferable working on 12 volts
The WRT54G will run on anything between 4.5VDC and about 18VDC.
Outdoor models are fine too as long as it isn't twice
or ten times the price from an indoor model.
Outoor models are 10 times the price because of packaging. Purchase a
NEMA weatherproof box and do your own packaging.
If there is any analyzing software working with such a wireless bridge
that should even be better
Scripting is possible with the text mode "wl" command. However, some
of the wireless status command do not work while connected. For
example, you cannot scan for access points while connected.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- From: Edmund
- Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- From: John Navas
- Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- From: Jeff Liebermann
- Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- References:
- Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- From: Edmund
- Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- Prev by Date: Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- Next by Date: Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- Previous by thread: Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- Next by thread: Re: Frustrating quest for a decent wireless bridge.
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
