On 2020-01-01 13:42, Zé Loff wrote: > > On Wed, Jan 01, 2020 at 08:54:46AM -0700, List wrote: >> Hi *, >> I am currently building a home router based upon OpenBSD. >> I therefore need some kind of WIFI Hardware. This piece of hardware >> needs to be connected over usb. >> Do you have any suggestions or recommendations ? As far as I can see >> it's pretty hard to find an antenna which is connected via USB an runs >> on a supported chipset. It is easy to get your hands on a >> realtek-chipset driven device. But urtw(4) doesn't support Host AP >> mode. Only ones that do are: athn(4), ral(4), ath(4). >> Finding those is hard. >> >> Maybe you guys know things I couldn't find ? >> >> g, >> Stephan >> > > In all honesty, and I've tried what you are aiming for a couple of times > in the past, it's just easier to get a dedicated AP (or a cheap wifi > router with a cable on the ethernet switch, which is usually bridged > with the wifi interface) and connect to an OpenBSD router which will > do all the necessary packet filtering (including keeping the AP/router's > firmware from reaching the internet, if needed be). IMHO this will be > stabler and faster than trying to find an adequate wifi board. And > these days you're bound to get nice perks like multiple SSIDs and > 802.11ac speeds (or whatever the latest 802.11* protocol is), which > AFAIK aren't available on OpenBSD yet. Also, note that (if I am not > mistaken) ural(4) are the only USB Wi-Fi interfaces that can handle Host > AP mode, and they only do 802.11b/g which is kind of slow by today's > standards.
Agreed. Not only does the SW/HW work better, usually the best place to put an AP is not the best place to put a router. My AP is in my attic, my router is in my basement, with one chunk of CAT6 between them. Putting an important radio receiver next to a bunch of RF-noisy computers doesn't work so hot. :) Nick.
