Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' in Wireless Networking http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r12649338 en Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:41:09 EDT Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:41:09 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19504598 nicolecco : good idea]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19504598 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:03:15 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17779436 mudtoe : You are correct in your last statement. If you are going to have the connection from the buffalo unit connected into the WAN port of your linksys router, you must have the router and all the devices in your local network on a different subnet than the upstream connection. Changing the router's address to 192.168.100.1 will work fine, just be sure to verify that the DHCP pool addresses that it hands out in your local network are in the 192.168.100.x range.

Your other choice would be to use your linksys router as a switch instead of a router. If you do this you will get an IP address from the router connected to the upstream connection in the 192.168.1.x range, and you will be on the same network subnet as all the other devices that are connected to the network served by the wireless access point. To do this you have to disable DHCP on your linksys router, and then connect the buffalo unit into one of the LAN ports on the router, along with your other stuff. Also, to make this happen you will likely have to configure the linksys router first, using manually assigned IP addresses, and then after you connect things up you won't be able to talk to the router anymore. The reason for this is that the router's internal IP address shouldn't be set to the same subnet as the upstream network, as a duplication could occur; so that means you have to set it to something other than 192.168.1.x, in which case you won't be able to talk to it anymore after your pc gets an address in that range from the upstream network.

It's simpler to do it the first way as long as you aren't going to need to run a server, or use things like UPnP, plus it provides some protection and separation between your PCs and the upstream network's PCs. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17779436 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:34:53 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17684228 justscott5 : I hope I can get a response from such and old thread! I'm a real noob at this stuff, so pardon the dumb questions.

I'm trying to use a signal coming into my house and run my network off of it. I have an old Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless router connected to my PC. I put a Buffalo WHR-G54S in my window and flicked the switch to put it in Bridge mode.

I'm running CAT5 cable from LAN port 1 in the Buffalo to the WAN (labeled "internet") port on my Linksys. I don't know if I have my terms correct here, but my Linksys and and the signal coming into my house both have an IP address of 192.168.1.1. So, with a USB wireless adapter connected, I have to change my PC's IP address to something like 192.168.0.1 in order to connect to the internet. If I change my PC's IP address to something like 192.168.1.105, I can connect to my Linksys router.

So, what should I do at this point?

Do I need to change my Linksys router's IP address to something like 192.168.100.1 as in vincentfox's example? And then let the Linksys router assign my PC an IP address? Or am I just way off here?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17684228 Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:16:26 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16374051 funchords : Sandcruiser,

You are VERY, VERY close to getting this to work.

said by sandcruiser See Profile :

I'd like to use the wap54g to catch the signal (in AP client mode), then pass it through to the wrt via the WAN port....
Use one of the WRT55G's LAN ports instead of the WAN port. On the WRT54G, select a wireless channel that is +/- 5 channels from the one used by the neighbor's D-Link.

It'll work great!
--
Robb Topolski -= funchords.com =- Hillsboro, Oregon USA
~ Keeper of the D-Link FAQ ~ Did you Search? ~ More features, Free! Join BBR! ~]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16374051 Sun, 25 Jun 2006 13:37:30 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15695943 sandcruiser : I'm so glad I found this thread, it has gotten me most of the way to finishing up my network...

Here's what I've got to work with

wrt54g v2 running linksys firmware 2.06
wap54g v2 running linksys firmware 4.20.7
2 wireless laptops
1 netdisk (semi-autonomous ethernet connected storage)
1 wifi signal from my neighbor, with WEP, and his permission (he shares my office signal, I share his home signal, works great) his router is a d-link model, not sure which one.

I can get his signal on my laptop or my wife's laptop, no problem. As long as we are in the upstairs bedroom or patio.
I can get the wrt54g to catch the signal and pass it through to the laptops via ethernet, but then I'm still stuck in the same room. But that does allow me to use the netdisk.

I'd like to use the wap54g to catch the signal (in AP client mode), then pass it through to the wrt via the WAN port.... but so far I can't seem to get it to play well with others.

I guess my question is: am I wasting my time? is the wap54g able to ap client from a non-linksys router? I'd rather spend $50 on another wrt54g than a week of frustration with this wap.... but only if I have to :)

Thanks!

NB: I'm new to this, so more specific responses are a lot more helpful, but I'll take anything! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15695943 Thu, 16 Mar 2006 10:16:58 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15677276 jnlk26 : Help me,
Can you recommend any proper outdoor or indoor wireless antenna that may support the DI-634M Super G 108Mbps MIMO
router and the DWL-G650M MIMO notebook adapter ?
First house uses the MIMO router and the second house uses
the MIMO notebook adapter. We are just 250 feet apart.
No trees on the drive.

Jon]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15677276 Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:01:44 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15452502 pazuzu : Channel 3 still tramples with channel 6. In North America, only ISM channels 1,6,11 are out of each other's way.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15452502 Sat, 11 Feb 2006 11:12:40 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15103547 anon : Open up a Command Prompt (Start, Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt). It opens a black DOS window.

Input: Ipconfig /all

It shows all of the networking stuff.

Exit the window by typing: Exit

Gene]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15103547 Mon, 26 Dec 2005 08:59:29 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15103119 djdanska : Im down in rural illinois and am very surprised on the range with my old wrt54g router. My friends father has two small houses. The main one and another one down the block. They have broadband internet through mediacom for their granddaughter.
Well, he wanted a laptop. We got him one and he has been on dial up for a few weeks. (in the other house. The 'quiet' one.)

Put my old high gain antennas from linksys on and boost the power a little and it worked magic! A stable signal with half way decent speeds. I now don't have to watch 4 fuzzy tv stations!

It's a good 6 houses down (with a street in the middle!)
--
"I'm not bright, big words confuse me, I have the attention span of a rodent and Wanda loves me anyway! And that should be enough for you!" ____ When you do things right, people won't be sure you done anything at all..
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15103119 Mon, 26 Dec 2005 03:43:13 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15084370 funchords : Sometimes, when you upgrade antennas, you lose your gain in the antenna's cable. The longer the cable, the worse.

I'm not a fan of repeaters, except for point-to-point use like you're suggesting.

Or, another thing to try ...

Wi-Fi signals are quite reflective. If you want to experiment with that, you want to "bank shot" off of another building at an angle (as you would if you were shooting a bank-shot in pool/billiards). You need both the building AND the angle.
--
Robb Topolski -= funchords.com =- Hillsboro, Oregon USA
~ Keeper of the D-Link FAQ ~ Did you Search? ~ More features, Free! Join BBR! ~]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15084370 Thu, 22 Dec 2005 22:13:35 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15078907 anon : Apologies if I'm going off on a tangent, but I guess my question falls under this category. In a way.

We've been experiencing some range issues with an 802.11g connection between two apartments, and I'd taken the plunge on some branded high gain antennae; a 6dbi directional unit and a 7dbi omni, all with no luck. There has been hardly ANY difference in signal strength, and I'm just curious as to whether I've picked up lemons, or if in my situation, a HGA would make no difference?

In a straight line, the signal doesn't have it easy. Passing through two walls at very acute angles, through a hallway (usually very clear), before it hits a fire door (!), passing through the other side of the hallway (again very clear) and getting to our apartment at yet another acute angle. The door takes a huge chunk out of signal strength, representing about 50-60% of the signal loss from the various utilities I have at my disposal. Now I know that HGA's aren't miracle toys, but I would have thought that it would have made even a *little* bit of difference. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Signal strength outside our front door is identical, from the default 2dbi duck, through the directional and finally with the omni. It's not really a monetary concern as I've been returning them if they haven't worked so far, but none of them have.

At this point, it looks like we're going to have to get a repeater, but I'd like to know what the other posters here with experience think before I go out and get one?

Much thanks for your advice.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15078907 Thu, 22 Dec 2005 08:09:00 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14977973 avd706 : Change your channel to avoid interference.

War hammocking anyone?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14977973 Thu, 08 Dec 2005 18:44:00 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14972467 anon : I have Linksys wireless networks all around my backyard.
All except my own are on channel 6, and open with router defaults. I'm on channel 3, but otherwise also open.
If I associate with one of the neighbor wifi's my surf speed actually increases even thou the signal is weaker.
All 5 networks near me are G's, mine is a B.
Workgroups are all MSHOME and sharing is on, so what I'm saying is, I live in a secluded nondescript little neighborhood, so this must be happening every where.
I don't need to war drive anywhere, they're everywhere.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14972467 Thu, 08 Dec 2005 00:43:19 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14899817 anon : Fclodomiro: In Windows; Start->All programs->Accessories->Command Prompt]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14899817 Mon, 28 Nov 2005 14:06:20 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13686371 fclodomiro : i'll rearrange things and get the copper wire, thanks]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13686371 Sat, 18 Jun 2005 02:38:38 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13682960 vincentfox : Survey: it's doing what you asked, which is scanning for local AP's. It does not matter that it can see the other one, it's not set to attach to it. Just make sure you have your household AP separated by 5 channels to avoid interference.

It's not clear how you have the ethernet cabled. You say "lan" ports on each end, which I would consider not ideal. Best would be to come from a LAN port of the rooftop AP into the WAN port of your household AP.

2 reasons for this:
1) AP client mode normally only accepts a single locally-attached client. If you hook up more than one client then goofy things start to happen. The 2nd WRT and a laptop would make for 2 MAC addresses on that AP client side I think you have missed this point.
2) If you hook up to WAN port, then you can use the 2nd WRT as it was intended, as a wireless router. All the LAN ports and WiFi become a private network that is protected from the outside by the builtin NAT firewall.

Also the surge arrestor you should use a copper wire tying it to a grounding rod. Most houses if you look around outside near the telephone and electrical junction boxes, you will find an existing rod you can attach to. A solid copper wire of about the thickness of a #2 pencil lead should be fine, I forget what size that is.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13682960 Fri, 17 Jun 2005 16:52:44 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13669214 fclodomiro : Hi guys. I’m in victory mode after (seriously) more than 60 hours on such a simple project. Since I had no knowledge about networks, I had to read a lot, research, try to figure things out, but finally managed to set up the system, in part because of this page »media.weblogsinc.com/common/vide···mode.htm and because of your hints. So I truly thank you, not only for your suggestions, but for your niceness. So many forums seem to operate just so they can bash people and make them feel like shit. I realize how little I know after trying this setup, but with a little patience, the knowledgeable out there can help outliers move into the mainstream. So thanks again.

Just so my experience can serve other newbies out there, here’s a rundown:
I have a free hotspot near my house which I was able to log on to from my laptop in my backyard, but I wanted to bring the signal indoors to use on my other computers and to wifi my home’s interior.

I used a parabolic antenna focused on the hotspot together with a LMR400 cable. Additionally I attached a surge arrestor that came without instructions, so I just tied that to the antenna’s pole (ended up adding about 8 i-have-no-clue-what-these-are-for nuts, and rubber donuts to my collection of useless nuts and bolts).

This cable ends up in an n-plug to which a pigtail ending in TNC connector is attached. I took both WRT54G’s antennas out, one where the pigtail was plugged in and the other to minimize any interference.

I have TWO WRT54G, which I bought because I realize the SveaSoft firmware allows you to turn these into anything. A dedicated AP is more expensive and in the future you can’t use it for anything else, as it only has one input. Setting up these babies requires visiting »192.168.1.1 (user: leave blank, password: admin). The two WRT54G’s were flashed (just upgraded with 3rd party software, follow the link in the first paragraph for a better idea) and I set them up as follows.

Hotspot (you must know this in order to set up the network, pick this info up from your wireless card info, or once you set up the first Client, you can ‘sniff’ this info via a Survey function provided by Sveasoft):
IP 192.168.0.100
Subnet mask 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.0.1
DNS server: 192.168.0.1
Ch 6
SSID: Default

Client (1st WRT54G connected to outside antenna)
Automatic DHCP
IP: 192.168.1.1
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.0.1 (same as on hotspot)
DHCP Server: ENABLED
Setup/Advanced Routing: Gateway
Wireless/Basic: Client, Mixed, Default (SSID from Hotspot)
Wireless/Advanced: All default, except for Antenna (both set to Right, where outside antenna cable comes into=on V3, ‘right’ is from the back perspective) and Xmit Power (I left at 28)

**beware that setting up the Access Point was kind of a pain, as sometimes it wouldn’t let me see the setup page, so I ended up rebooting a few times and restarting all over. That’s why it’s important to jot down your final setup***

Access Point(AP) (2nd WRT54G connected via Cat5 to lan ports on both CLIENT and Access Point)
Static IP
IP: 192.168.1.3
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server: DISABLE!
Wireless/Basic: AP, B(I only have a B-type card), Default(same as hotspot and client), Ch is 12 (to separate from Client’s)
SSID Broadcast is Enabled (I’ve read there’s no security advantage not to)
SSID: SomethingDifferent (to differentiate from hotspot and Client)
Encryption set to WPA
Wireless/Advanced: all set to Default

That’s it.

Guys would you suggest me to change any of the default settings, ie amount of power for the Client versus the AP that must transmit the wifi signal?

When I check the Survey in the setup page, the Client’ seems to be picking up the signal from both the rooftop’s antenna and from the AP next to it. Do you think this screws up the Client or since it is set to look for the hotspot, it just ignores my AP?

Regarding the CMD command, it won’t run from START/RUN, but I can go into accessories and use the MS-DOS command prompt and it will stay open and allow me to do all necessary commands. Something is screwy in the RUN function. It could be a larger WinXP problem. I reinstalled everything on my laptop about 2 weeks ago, and during a session, the whole bottom task bar (from start through program indicators to the taskbar on the right side) will freeze, won’t work for about 3 minutes. I can only move between my open windows (using ALT TAB), if I hit anything in the taskbar (including CTRL ALT DEL) all these actions will pile up, and when the computer unfreezes, all these actions will happen in their original order. Long story short, the CMD error could be due to a WINXP screwup.

Thanks all for all again.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13669214 Thu, 16 Jun 2005 00:31:15 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13665411 funchords :
said by fclodomiro See Profile:

Hi Funchords,
I've tried Start/Run/CMD first and it still closes the window automatically. I've done this several times in a row to be able to read the error message, but it opens and closes so fast that my eyes barely get a glimpse of the black window. I've tried searching the WinXp forums to no avail.
When you run it from the first window, does the command seem to run in a second window?

Or, when you run it from the first window, the command seems to run and then closes that first window?
--
Robb Topolski
http://www.funchords.com/
Hillsboro, Oregon USA]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13665411 Wed, 15 Jun 2005 16:24:06 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13662648 vincentfox : The simplest thing you can do, is set your WRT to "AP client" mode of operation. This turns it from the center of the solar system into a mere planet. Or another way to think of it would be this is a mode that makes it just like a WiFi card for your laptop/desktop. It will expect ONE and ONLY ONE ethernet attached client. There will be a switch somewhere in the wireless setup screens where you click to select this mode, and give it the SSID and encryption settings.

Do not try to make things too complicated at the start. Just connect up a single PC directly to LAN port of your rooftop WRT and get that working in client mode.

If your firmware supports it set TX and RX of antenna both to the one antenna. "Left" is as seen from rear of unit in most firmwares, not from front. I use SveaSoft firmware, don't know HyperWRT.

Use this to test things out as it's simple and well-supported in even the Linksys factory firmware. You could even connect it to the WAN port of a home router and just use it as a permanent solution. This works well since a NAT router will hide behind the single address of the WAN port, all the LAN and possible local WiFi clients. Look at the picture I drew and read it all again it will become clear.

WDS is also a possibility, but that's a bit more advanced and your city network may not support it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13662648 Wed, 15 Jun 2005 10:34:24 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13662418 fclodomiro : Hi Funchords,
I've tried Start/Run/CMD first and it still closes the window automatically. I've done this several times in a row to be able to read the error message, but it opens and closes so fast that my eyes barely get a glimpse of the black window. I've tried searching the WinXp forums to no avail.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13662418 Wed, 15 Jun 2005 09:54:56 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13661054 funchords :
said by fclodomiro See Profile:

**I have even tried opening ipconfig, but the MS-DOS window closes instantaneously.
Type CMD to open the window.

Then in the open window, use IPCONFIG

Type EXIT to close the window.
--
Robb Topolski
http://www.funchords.com/
Hillsboro, Oregon USA]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13661054 Wed, 15 Jun 2005 02:07:10 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13660863 fclodomiro : Wow Vincentfox, I finally find someone picturing my exact scenario (this guy had a similar scenario but no one helped »www.hyperwrt.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=87).

My county is offering a few hotspots to create a wireless network (i.e. SeattleWireless), but the guy who set it up is no longer with the government, so it is up to people to figure how the linking will proceed.

From my backyard I’m able to catch this wifi signal on my laptop, but it won’t penetrate my walls. A shop gave me a free 2.4Ghz parabolic antenna to pick up the hotspot’s signal and send it via a LMR-400 cable into my house. I have plugged this cable into one of the antenna ports of a Linksys WRT54G (v3).

I’ve already installed HyperWRT2.0, but I can’t seem to understand what I must do now. I’m not trying to be a leech, I’ve truly read for days, tried tweaks here and there, but I’m obviously missing something (apart from programming skills). Local shops? Forget it, they said it can’t be done.

I tried following these suggestions »Wireless Networking Forum FAQ »Using a Wireless Router as an Access Point, but I’m stomped when it comes to making the WRT54G an AP, while another router (a borrowed Netgear WGT624) is between my computer and the AP. My issues are:

1-Between wifi4milez and vincentfox you settled that one can get away with two pieces of hardware. The WRT54G is plugged to the rooftop’s antenna, but still continues to transmit an empty (no internet access) signal that my laptop picks up. The web interface won’t let me disable the second antenna. What am I doing wrong here?

2-I assume I should get both routers to be the same (I’ll buy another WRT54G tomorrow) to simplify things. How do I then configure one router to be an AP and the second to do the wireless transmission while they are daisy-chained? (from Wireless Network Connection Status I can see the IP, Subnet and Gateway)

**I have even tried opening ipconfig, but the MS-DOS window closes instantaneously.

I’m really in the dark here, I don't expect anyone to digest this info for me, so thanks for any hints that you may be able to provide. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13660863 Wed, 15 Jun 2005 01:17:42 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13651250 avd706 :
said by punnjabi See Profile:

can i catch a wifi signal wid a super g card??
Dat wut day do.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13651250 Mon, 13 Jun 2005 22:17:50 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13630239 punnjabi : can i catch a wifi signal wid a super g card??]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13630239 Fri, 10 Jun 2005 22:31:04 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13384622 vincentfox : errr, ahhh, oh

I misread thought you were onto something else. Yes, I agree with that and in previous post had mentioned that as well. It will work as long as it's WiFi signal can reach rest of house.

I mentioned the other as first choice since often people have an office with desktop somewhere at edge of house. And you typically want your AP somewhere centered in the house for best coverage. It's not hard to find an old wired router for $10 like the D-Link DI-604 for free or $10 or something.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13384622 Wed, 11 May 2005 17:02:37 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13378890 wifi4milez : I guess there are a few different ways this can be done. Each person will feel comfortable doing it differently! My suggestion was to simply replace the wired router in your diagram with something like a wrt54g that serves as both a wired and wireless router. I figure that one less piece of equipment might be easier to handle for a beginner.
--
I like dogs, guns, and cheeseburgers. Whats your malfunction?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13378890 Tue, 10 May 2005 22:05:48 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13377399 vincentfox : Care to do a diagram for the novice?

My argument is that for John Novice, an "AP client" setup is simpler to work with. Bridging, WDS, etc. lead to complications that may overwhelm some people. Like if you are relying on the DHCP server over on the other network, and can't reach it, it may be a bit difficult to understand what is going on. Or you plug in your own WiFi router just to do some local stuff, and can't understand why DHCP has now gone haywire on both networks, which is because you can't have 2 DHCP servers in same LAN.

Also a bridged environment sounds friendly, like one big happy LAN. Which may not be so great when your open fileshare gets you infected by a worm operating on the neighbor's computer.

YMMV.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13377399 Tue, 10 May 2005 19:06:59 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13375902 wifi4milez : An even easier design involves simply attaching a wireless router or WAP to the client bridge. There is no real need to have a dedicated wired router between the bridge and your wireless router/WAP. You can then choose if you want your neighbors AP to assign you IP's or yours. If you want your own separate network then make sure you connect your bridge to the WAN port on your router/WAP. Otherwise, connect your bridge to a LAN port on your device and his AP will issue all your IP's. It all depends on what you are looking to do!
--
I like dogs, guns, and cheeseburgers. Whats your malfunction?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13375902 Tue, 10 May 2005 16:06:52 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13373982 vincentfox : Time for an addition.

Another FAQ is:
"I want to pick up my neighbor's AP, then run my whole house off it. Wired desktop PC, WiFi laptop, etc. Name some ways I can do this, please?"

See the picture at top.

Logic here is that you have 3 discrete functions that do not neccessarily belong in the same places.

1) You want to put a unit somewhere that it can get good signal from the neighbor. Often this location is at the window, or outdoors under the eaves, or even on a TV mast. So you put a WET54G, or a WRT54G in "AP client" mode there. Stick a directional antenna on it to get a good solid link with neighbor. I mention "AP client" mode as many factory firmwares support it right out of box, it does not require you to buy something odd, or flash 3rd-party firmwares, or anything else a novice might have troubles with.

2) Run the ethernet from the "AP client" unit to the WAN port on any old wired router. A disadvantage with "AP client" mode is it typically only supports a single client MAC address, so you can't just plug it into a hub and support a dozen PC's directly. But by plugging it into the WAN port on a router, it only has the MAC address of the router to contend with. All your household LAN components are hidden behind that. Using a wired router here, has the plus that you are behind the NAT firewall of that router, so the PC's on your home LAN will be somewhat protected from worms on your neighbor's PC's.

3) Run your desktop PC's off the LAN ports. Also you can attach a WiFi Access Point to a LAN port and run a separate WiFi domain for your household needs. It will be most convenient to locate this AP somewhere central to your laptop needs, which is very likely NOT going to be where the "AP client" is with it's directional pointed the other way. Also frequently there is an office with a desktop PC where it is convenient to wire things, while you want to use the laptop in the den or by the pool or someplace else. Hence my logic that this setup is best done with 3 separate components. Also makes problems with each piece easy to debug. If components #2 and #3 can be in the same place, you could collapse them into a single WiFi router unit.

Couple things to keep in mind:
-If neighbor connection is on Ch.11 then use Ch.1 or 6 for household WiFi AP. Also use a different SSID and encryption key.
-If neighbor subnet is 192.168.1.x then you will need to use some other subnet for your internal LAN, 192.168.100.x should make it obvious which is internal and which external.

Yes, there are other ways to skin this cat, I'm sure someone will chime in with alternate designs. Please include pictures though!
Click for full size
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13373982 Tue, 10 May 2005 11:57:10 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12822705 vincentfox : I forgot to point out explicitly in the original post, another way in which good use of directional antenna help out.

Namely interference!

By focussing your receive and transmit gain in a particular direction you become somewhat more blind in other directions. A high-gain omni will still be very susceptible to interference from it's 360-degree arc. A high-gain directional will be LESS likely to interference from other sources in other directions. So that other neighbor with the 2.4 GHz phone, the 2.4 GHz cameras, etc will be less of a problem if you use a directional antenna. The 2.4 GHz band is unfortunately very narrow, and crowded with devices that aren't usually smart enough to share the spectrum well, you have to take this into account.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12822705 Thu, 03 Mar 2005 16:53:12 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12714202 Bill : No_Strings See Profile also helped out with content and grammar/spelling checks :)

Thanks.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12714202 Sat, 19 Feb 2005 12:00:05 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12712376 No_Strings : It's new. You're not impaired.

Agreed that Bill See Profile did a nice job with the write-up.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12712376 Sat, 19 Feb 2005 02:00:46 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12712355 vincentfox : Ok a PRIMO link here:

»Wireless Networking Forum FAQ »How Can I Set Up a Long-Range Link?

This is actually in the existing FAQ and I didn't see it until just now. Perhaps it's a recent addition? Or maybe I'm blind....

Anyhow, well-written SWBill!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12712355 Sat, 19 Feb 2005 01:52:57 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12684447 vincentfox : An additional attempt to explain the "obstruction in the way" to someone:

Let me make a useful analogy here.

You have a candle sitting in a windowsill. With clear LOS (Line of Sight) you can see this candle from a long distance on a dark night. You might need binoculars further away.

Now you put a house or a thick stand of trees in the way. You cannot see the candle anymore! I would point out that "amps" are no help since they boost maybe to 1 Watt. How bright is a 1-Watt light bulb? Not very. The problem is not insufficent power, it's that house in the way!

To put it quite simple the nature of WiFi is low-power and not very penetrating. Metals and any material with water in them (i.e. TREES) cut your range drastically.

The correct solution is to get clear LOS. Most people do this by putting an antenna on a mast up high enough to see over the obstruction. At least from altitude with a good directional antenna you have a better shot at it.

Alternatively you could put up a repeater station on the top of the obstruction.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12684447 Wed, 16 Feb 2005 03:11:41 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12652571 Bill : Here's some more threads that have discussed this in the past :)

»Extended Range Connection
»Extending a wirless network
»[wireless] Options to Extend My Wireless Connection
»[wireless] WRT54G Range Problems (These steps can be taken on any router, not just the WRT54G)
»[wireless] How to?: Long range 802.11g
»Need Help with extending wireless Range
»Wireless Range - Indoor - Help
»Confused about how to extend my wireless signal
»home wireless network with 3 blocks or more range?
»extending wireless coverage

And of course, if you have a question about a specific product, visit the vendor specific forums.
--
The new Secure-Wifi.net is open!
My Blog]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12652571 Sat, 12 Feb 2005 15:29:39 EDT Re: Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12649995 Anav : 3) To connect two networks wirelessly or to extend wireless, the ideal solution is to get a REPEATER. Normally this has TWO radios so that no significant loss of throughput occurs. One can essentially make a repeater by using the coupling of two devices, an ethernet adaptor bridge(to capture) and wire it to an AP (to retx)
--
Ain't nuthin but the blues! "Albert Collins". Leave your troubles at the door! "Pepe Peregil" De Sevilla. Just Don't Wifi without WPA, "Yul Brenner" - (Llama Works Equipment ) -]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12649995 Sat, 12 Feb 2005 08:53:13 EDT Before you post 'how to share WiFi to neighbor?' http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12649338 vincentfox : First off, did you read the FAQ?

»Wireless Networking Forum FAQ

Did you read the old posts? There are hundreds with titles like yours already. One example:

»Setting up wireless between 2 houses

An often overlooked point is to check your Terms of Service. Your ISP may forbid sharing, and there may be HEAVY penalties. Some ISP's are friendly to it. Check on it!

To reiterate the basics of the technology:

1) Line Of Sight (LOS) is an essential ingredient.

If you have a window in location #1 where you can put the AP and sit your client in the window at location #2, and they have clear line of sight and distance is reasonable, it can be done. Let this much be clear, 2.4 GHz is the same frequency your microwave oven uses, and there is a reason it heats up food so well. Water molecules absorb 2.4 GHz radio very nicely, which is why it get hot when you bombard it in the oven. If you have a bunch of trees in the way, they are full of water, and there is very little chance you are going to get a signal through many trees over a long distance. Getting LOS is essential, and if you need to go higher to get it then do it.

2) An amplifier is no substitute for a good antenna and LOS!

If we are at a party and you want to chat with me from across the room, is it a good idea to whip out your bullhorn? No, it's quite stupid. Now I can hear you but you still cannot hear me. WiFi is 2-way, it is not AM-radio. The next answer will be "let's all get bullhorns" but then we all go deaf. There is a smarter way. A cone held to your ear will let you hear better.

A good high-gain antenna will let you hear weak signals as well as you transmit, so it is in every way superior. Usually cheaper too. The best solution is often a directional antenna which will enhance transmit and received in a particular direction, with the side-benefit of rejecting interference sources in other directions. Try even the simple home-made antennas from
»www.freeantennas.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12649338 Sat, 12 Feb 2005 03:11:08 EDT