I just noticed, perusing the supported hardware for OpenWRT ( http://wiki.openwrt.org/TableOfHardware ) that many wap's have a mini-pci radio; has anyone heard of hacks or attempts to replace the existing one? Notable is v1.0 of the LinkSys WRT54G, among others... I can imagine someone putting in a ABG-mode radio card that also does bluetooth, and, um, doing something creative with it... PAN'ing?
Ben On 12/6/06, Ben Barrett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
The features list of DD-WRT is pretty good, and I've heard the Buffalo brand wifi routers are the cheapest supported units. I am pleased to see that they include OpenVPN client & server (however, only in "-vpn" builds) http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_%22DD-WRT%22%3F#Features However, with the pure linux device ("L" model) you can continue to hack away and build/install your own packages, I'm not sure how difficult this is with DD-WRT. I don't know if any of other other firmware mods allow for that. Running OpenVPN on the router seems ideal, since you can run your wifi in the open (which is handy if you have lots of visitors), and then use it to connect whether you're at home or out on the WAN trying to tunnel back to home -- you could just use SSH, alternatively, but OpenVPN can/will cover whatever traffic you route through it, so if you've got any insecure devices you need to access or just don't trust the free wifi where-ever you happen to be, you can put all your traffic through it. Security is a sense of mind, so ... ignorance is bliss :) cheerio, Ben On 12/6/06, LinuxRocks! <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Wed, Dec 06, 2006 at 01:18:33PM -0800, Garl Grigsby wrote: > > Date: Wed, 06 Dec 2006 13:18:33 -0800 > > From: Garl Grigsby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: Eugene Unix and Gnu/Linux User Group <[email protected]> > > Subject: Re: [Eug-lug] AVG virus protection software > > > > Brian Gallagher wrote: > > >>Buy a higher gain antenna. Better yet, buy two. One for the client > > >>and one for the WAP. I've used these [1] in the past and they are > > >>well worth the money. Gained an extra 200 feet in one direction and > a > > >>solid signal through three walls in th other. If you watch you can > > >>get them for < 15 shipped after rebate. Or you could always build > > >>your own antenna... > > >I would like to have a conversation with you about antennas. Ben > > >recommended a bridge and I appreciate that offer, but this wireless > > >share is transitory. Wireless bridges are generally expensive and if > > >the share situation changes I could end up with a bridge to nowhere, > > >so to speak. > > Buy a WRT54GL (The 'L' is important). They run ~$50-$60. Replace the > OS > > Its often easier to get an older version of the wrt54g/gs, which will > also run different OS's (such as DD-WRT, Hyperwrt, sveasoft's thing, > ...) check out wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrt54g > Armed with that info, you can go to ebay (or wherever you like best), > and find usable unit. > I have several of these units (no, not parting with any!), and ive done > a lot with them. I currently has a wds bridge network with 3 routers > using both hyperwrt, and dd-wrt. I think i like the dd-wrt better > though, and will likely change everything over to dd-wrt. > > I used one of these units in client mode, and put the extended range > antennna on it, and turn up the xmit power (84mw when i did it,but now > you can crank it up to 251mw!!!) it rocked. > > > with one of the 'enhanced' versions. I know that they will do bridging > > [1]. The nice thing with this unit is when you are done you can either > > > use it as a wifi/firewall or sell it easily. > > >The picture of the high gain antenna that you suggest show the > antenna > > >on a pedestal, held down with a nut. Do I remove the nut and fasten > > >antenna onto the post of the WAP w/ its antenna removed or is there > > >some connecting hardware not shown? > > The Antenna is on pedestal with a short cable, maybe 24". You can get > > longer cables, but as I understand it, the longer the cable the more > > signal loss, but don't quote me on that. My knowledge of radio > antennas > > is all experimental. The antenna can be mounted to the wall using > > screws, but I always just set it next to the WAP or on top of the > > computer. If you want something attached I know that a number of > people > > Antanna position is critical... I suppose this needs to be said, maybe > its too obvious? but moving the antenna to a spot it will get the best > signal (like next to a window, or outside, on the roof, ....) will > likely make the biggest difference! I assume you moved the antanna (or > laptop or whatever...) and checked for the best signal. > > Jamie > > > make screw on replacement antennas but it all depends the card/WAP you > > are using and the antenna connection. Personally the screw on types > > never seem to work that well behind the computer. I always had better > > luck when they were above the case. On the WAP, they seem to work OK. > > >Building an antenna sounds interesting, do you have "hands on" > > >experience there? I would need some tech help on that. > > Google is your friend. You can google the word cantenna [2]. This link > > [3] was buried in my list of 'things I want to look at when I have > > time'. It has info on a bunch of antennas. > > >>What card are you using? > > > > > >I have four cards, all D-link. I have no allegiance to D-Link, I > just > > >bought a set, on sale: wireless router, PCI and USB cards when I got > > >started looking into wireless. I am working on the assumption that > I > > >have to test these cards under Windows to prove a "known good" status > > >before delving into the Linux unknown. > > > > > >DWL-G510 (PCI) this card had a history of flakyness under WinMe > (hey, > > >its Me what did I expect. I haven't tried it under XP. The one > thing > > >PCI does seem to have is greater range!) > > > > > >DWL-G520 (PCI) this card was found in a computer by side of the road > > > >that some Frat Boys had take a baseball bat to. Status unknown. > > I don't know what to say to this.... > > > > > >DWL-G120 (USB) this card is the one I use primarily. It has a long > > >dongle cord and I have it run up the wall close to the ceiling. When > > > >I was playing with setting it up with Ubuntu I ran into the "which > rev > > >is the chipset issue." I chickened out on opening the housing to > view > > >the chipset, as this is my web access, unless I want to sit in the > > >cold garage and I don't. > > > > > >DWL-G122 (USB) this card in promising. Ubuntu showed a Marvel > > >chipset, if I remember correctly. The issue with these thumb drive > > >type wireless cards is signal range; and with a short dongle cord to > a > > >pedestal base, I can't work the antenna directionality as I would > like. > > USB extension cables are cheap... The other issue is that you usually > > can't replace the antennas on USB NICs. So if you go for the USB then > > your best be would be to move the device around until you get a better > > signal. > > > > > >Give me till after the holidays, I would like to revisit this > > >discussion and solve this problem once and for all. Also, I got a > > >how-to specific to this DWL-122 card and Ubuntu and it mentioned the > > >software setup. I'll have to find that documentation. > > > > > >As with everything Linux, while I've been frittering, someone has > > >already solved the issue and I just need to update my OS version, > etc, > > >etc. will probably be the case. > > >>>Here is my question: should I stop worrying about virus protection > > >>>and make implementing Linux wireless my top priority, because virus > > > >>>threats are low under Linux; Therefore, would I be better off > > >>>running Linux, with no virus protection, then to keep working with > > >>>windows and outdated AVG software? > > >>That's up to you. If you are going to keep using windows, then get > an > > >>A/V solution. Also, make sure you are running Firefox and > Thunderbird. > > >I am running Firefox and Thunderbird. > > > > > Good man. > > > > -Garl > > > > [1] http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge > > [2] > > > http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B2GGGL_enUS175&q=cantenna > > [3] http://www.seattlewireless.net/AntennaHowTo
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