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From: Jules Dubois on 22 Feb 2006 22:16
I want to get a Comcast cable internet connection and use WiFi to use the
network in a computer room about 30 feet away. This doesn't seem to pose a
big problem in theory, with one frame-and-drywall and one short adobe (~42
inch-high mud brick) interior wall obstructing the line of sight between
the cable connection and the PC. Because I have no Windows, just Linux, I
would like to support Linksys' release of software in their WRT54GL
"broadband router" and Windows-only software is useless to me.

I understand the basics of IP networking but I'm having trouble
understanding the various parts of WiFi. I have in mind a simple setup
using WiFi as a bridge between two Ethernet-attached devices.

Cable modem---WRT54GL ~~~~~ WRT54GL---PC
[where '-' is Ethernet and '~' is WiFi]

Is this possible? If so what's the WiFi term for it and is it reasonably
straight-forward to configure? If not, what's a good Ethernet-attached
replacement device for the PC?

(There's also a chance that in the future I might attach another computer in
the next room about another 20' -- one more frame wall -- further from the
cable modem.)


From: John Navas on 23 Feb 2006 10:16
[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <3425496.1PUaeeCPaD(a)knode.kde> on Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:16:04 -0700, Jules
Dubois <ftbzsyz02(a)sneakemail.com> wrote:

>I want to get a Comcast cable internet connection and use WiFi to use the
>network in a computer room about 30 feet away. This doesn't seem to pose a
>big problem in theory, with one frame-and-drywall and one short adobe (~42
>inch-high mud brick) interior wall obstructing the line of sight between
>the cable connection and the PC. Because I have no Windows, just Linux, I
>would like to support Linksys' release of software in their WRT54GL
>"broadband router" and Windows-only software is useless to me.
>
>I understand the basics of IP networking but I'm having trouble
>understanding the various parts of WiFi. I have in mind a simple setup
>using WiFi as a bridge between two Ethernet-attached devices.
>
> Cable modem---WRT54GL ~~~~~ WRT54GL---PC
> [where '-' is Ethernet and '~' is WiFi]
>
>Is this possible? If so what's the WiFi term for it and is it reasonably
>straight-forward to configure? If not, what's a good Ethernet-attached
>replacement device for the PC?
>
>(There's also a chance that in the future I might attach another computer in
>the next room about another 20' -- one more frame wall -- further from the
>cable modem.)

Then you want the left WRT54GL configured as a wireless router, and wireless
network adapters (e.g., WMP54G, WPC54G, WUSB54G, WUSB54GC) for each computer.

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>
From: Jules Dubois on 23 Feb 2006 22:30
On Thursday 23 February 2006 08:16, John Navas <spamfilter0(a)navasgroup.com>
(<ulkLf.446443$qk4.44180(a)bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>) wrote:

> [POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>
> In <3425496.1PUaeeCPaD(a)knode.kde> on Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:16:04 -0700,
> Jules Dubois <ftbzsyz02(a)sneakemail.com> wrote:
>
>>[want wireless Internet for Linux; lack clues]
>>
>> Cable modem---WRT54GL ~~~~~ WRT54GL---PC
>> [where '-' is Ethernet and '~' is WiFi]
>>
>>Is this possible? If so what's the WiFi term for it and is it reasonably
>>straight-forward to configure? If not, what's a good Ethernet-attached
>>replacement device for the PC?
>
> Then you want the left WRT54GL configured as a wireless router, and
> wireless network adapters (e.g., WMP54G, WPC54G, WUSB54G, WUSB54GC) for
> each computer.

Linksys' current PCI adapters are reported to use Broadcom chips without
Linux support and USB adapters require additional Linux drivers for
networking over USB.

Does an "Ethernet bridge", such as Linksys' WET54G, fill the same role as
the products you listed above? I'm willing to go to some reasonable,
additional expense to avoid things like NDISWRAPPER, MadWiFi. and even
CDCEther.

I've spent well over forty hours over the last two weeks trying to
understand WiFi. I broke down today and bought a not-too-technical book to
help me understand. I believe now I could use two WRT54GLs to do what I
want, perhaps with third-party firmware, but that it's a project I should
put off until I have a working setup that I understand well.

Thanks for the follow-up, John.

From: Jeff Liebermann on 24 Feb 2006 13:26
Jules Dubois <ftbzsyz02(a)sneakemail.com> hath wroth:

>On Thursday 23 February 2006 08:16, John Navas <spamfilter0(a)navasgroup.com>
>(<ulkLf.446443$qk4.44180(a)bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>) wrote:
>
>> [POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]
>>
>> In <3425496.1PUaeeCPaD(a)knode.kde> on Wed, 22 Feb 2006 20:16:04 -0700,
>> Jules Dubois <ftbzsyz02(a)sneakemail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>[want wireless Internet for Linux; lack clues]
>>>
>>> Cable modem---WRT54GL ~~~~~ WRT54GL---PC
>>> [where '-' is Ethernet and '~' is WiFi]
>>>
>>>Is this possible? If so what's the WiFi term for it and is it reasonably
>>>straight-forward to configure? If not, what's a good Ethernet-attached
>>>replacement device for the PC?

Yeah, that will work. The WRT54GL can run a variety of Linux based
replacement firmware. I like DD-WRT. That will take care of the
WRT54GL attached to the cable modem. So far, it's a fairly typical
installation.

However, you're apparently using the 2nd WRT54GL as a client adapter.
That will work because DD-WRT and other firmware support the client
mode. You can also setup the 2nd WRT54GL as a WDS bridge and get
exactly the same effect, with the added benifit of being able to
wirelessly connect to both routers.

However, this seems a bit overly complex for such a simple
installation. Just get a compatible 802.11g client radio for the PC
and be done with it. Lots of possible devices:
http://www.linux-wlan.org/docs/wlan_adapters.html.gz

>> Then you want the left WRT54GL configured as a wireless router, and
>> wireless network adapters (e.g., WMP54G, WPC54G, WUSB54G, WUSB54GC) for
>> each computer.

>Linksys' current PCI adapters are reported to use Broadcom chips without
>Linux support and USB adapters require additional Linux drivers for
>networking over USB.

There is no requirement that the client radios be from the same
manufacturer or use the same chipset. Incidentally, the WRT54GL has a
Broadcom chipset.

>Does an "Ethernet bridge", such as Linksys' WET54G, fill the same role as
>the products you listed above? I'm willing to go to some reasonable,
>additional expense to avoid things like NDISWRAPPER, MadWiFi. and even
>CDCEther.

Nothing wrong with NDISwrapper except that some cards report garbage
for signal strength and S/N ratio readings.

An ethernet bridge, as you describe it, will work as a client adapter.
What you have to watch out is how many MAC addresses the bridge will
pass. The WET54G will handle more than one (32 ?) so you can attach
more than one computer to it. However, there are quite a few similar
products (i.e. game adapters) that only do one. The data sheets are
useless for identifying this feature. I tried to make some sense of
the term "bridge" in the FAQ:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless/Wi-Fi#Wireless_Bridge

>I've spent well over forty hours over the last two weeks trying to
>understand WiFi. I broke down today and bought a not-too-technical book to
>help me understand.

You must be desperate. I never read the docs until after I've created
an insurmountable problem.

>I believe now I could use two WRT54GLs to do what I
>want, perhaps with third-party firmware, but that it's a project I should
>put off until I have a working setup that I understand well.
>
>Thanks for the follow-up, John.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl(a)comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
From: John Navas on 24 Feb 2006 15:20
[POSTED TO alt.internet.wireless - REPLY ON USENET PLEASE]

In <hcjuv1h7jsuhfamj39dfejbubutg2cj3vo(a)4ax.com> on Fri, 24 Feb 2006 10:26:55
-0800, Jeff Liebermann <jeffl(a)comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:

>[HUGE SNIP]

<SHAMELESS_PLUG>

I've come to really like the Apple Airport Express
<http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/> for this and many other applications.
It deserves to get much more attention. Well engineered, easy to setup and
use, universal power, small and compact (for on the go as well as at home),
both Windows and Mac, with Ethernet, USB, and audio ports, and with support
for WPA as well as WEP, it can act as wireless:

* Router
* Access point
* Ethernet client bridge
* Range extender
* Airtunes audio client for home theater system (driven by iTunes)
* Printer server (USB)

</SHAMELESS_PLUG>

--
Best regards, SEE THE FAQ FOR ALT.INTERNET.WIRELESS AT
John Navas <http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FAQ_for_alt.internet.wireless>
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