[Info-vax] Wireless networking for my home xp900

[Doug Phillips]

On Aug 21, 5:15 pm, VAXman-  @SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
> In article <1f919585-c3f2-4faf-a311-9c4f1f715... at z31g2000yqd.googlegroups.com>, Doug Phillips <dphil... at netscape.net> writes:
>
>
>
> >On Aug 17, 5:15=A0pm, Jojimbo <jjgessl... at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> On Aug 17, 2:07=A0pm, VAXman- =... at SendSpamHere.ORG wrote:
>
> >> > In article <6eaa6e9d-3a95-46c1-98d5-ab7b8b280... at z24g2000yqb.googlegrou=
> >ps.com>, Jojimbo <jjgessl... at gmail.com> writes:
>
> >> > >Due to some residential reorganization, my xp900 will be moving
> >> > >further away from the network hub. =A0This will make having an actual
> >> > >wire very inconvenient for network connectivity. =A0Is there some devi=
> >ce
> >> > >I can use to let the xp900 join my already established wireless net?
> >> > >Any suggestions appreciated.
>
> >> > >Thanks, =A0Jim
>
> >> > A wireless bridge. =A0Eg. =A0LinkSys WET54G.
>
> >> > --
> >> > VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker =A0 =A0VAXman(at)TMESI=
> >S(dot)ORG
>
> >> > =A0http://www.quirkfactory.com/popart/asskey/eqn2.png
>
> >> > =A0 "Well my son, life is like a beanstalk, isn't it?"
>
> >> Thanks, =A0I was looking for something along these lines, transparent to
> >> the xp900, relatively cheap.
>
> >> Regards, =A0Jim
>
> >Or, if you want to save a few dollars go with a cheap wireless router
> >(I'm using a WRT54G) and download (and install) the appropriate (free)
> >firmware upgrade from <http://www.dd-wrt.com/>.
>
> >My basement LAN has been connected to my upstairs LAN for years using
> >this setup.
>
> Does this give you more robust router capabilities on a Linksys?  I just
> picked up one for the first time for my son away at college.  I am _NOT_
> impressed with the web based configuration and it was very limited from
> what I witnessed.  
>
> --
> VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker    VAXman(at)TMESIS(dot)ORG
>
>  http://www.quirkfactory.com/popart/asskey/eqn2.png
>
>   "Well my son, life is like a beanstalk, isn't it?"

The OpenSource DD-WRT firmware upgrade is Linux and there's a version
for most "home-style" brand routers. The Wireless Client-Bridge is
just one of the added features.

Depending on the router's memory you have various options & features,
from Micro to Full. Some reading at the dd-wrt.com site is needed.
There are some good tutorials, wiki-pages and a forum where users have
posted their experiences.

I wouldn't rush into this without spending some reading time first
because it is possible to brick the router if you screw up. If you
need a bridge yesterday or you're doing this for a commercial client,
I'd go with a bridge appliance. If you're just setting up a home
network, spend some time at dd-wrt.

I stumbled upon dd-wrt a few years ago when I was in a similar
situation as the OP, and the actual wireless bridges that I could find
were much more than double the cost of a small router.

Another advantage of using a router with a dd-wrt is you get the
additional ports, and since you don't need the WAN port you get an
extra LAN port.

Just my $0.02 worth, YMMV.