Following Lew's earlier identical recommendation, I bought the
WRT54GL and upgraded the firmware. The procedure is unclear in
the downloadable documentation. At first I thought I bricked the
device, but using TFTP I was able to unbrick it and proceed. Here is
the process I experienced.
Upgrade successful; wait 5 minutes before clicking Continue [forgot!]
Hard reset (30-30-30)
- Disconnect all UTP cables
- Push reset button for 30 seconds
- Without releasing reset button, disconnect power cord
- Hold reset button for another 30 seconds
- Repower
- Continue to depress reset button for another 30 seconds
- Release reset button and give router 10 seconds to resettle
- Disconnect power cord for 10 seconds and reconnect
All default settings should now be effective
Now I am setting up WDS connecting the WRT54GL to a D-Link G-570S. For a clueless
novitiate like myself it takes a lot of fiddling with settings (literally days in my case) to get
the
devices to work as desired. I have finally got them talking and transparently extending the
router's DHCP assignments via WDS (on my lab bench only).
Antennas: at one end I have a Cantenna and the other a 5 db gain antenna with a home-made
parabola. This should work with good signal strength out to several hundred feet. We'll know
Wednesday!
For the parabolic reflector:
parabola.zip Program to calculate parabolic curve for antenna
parabola_vb6_sourcecode.zip includes libraries if necessary
Details at <http://mscir.tripod.com/parabola>
Good luck. Send more questions as needed.
Jeffrey Race
On Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:58:10 -0500, Lewis G Rosenthal wrote:
>Some quick thoughts (aside from, or in addition to, what I've already >sent via PM):
>
>On 02/22/09 09:56 pm, Thomas thus wrote :
>> Hi:
>> Some time in the future I want to make a wireless connection from one
>> building where there is
>> a computer and an Internet connection to another building that's about
>> 200ft and several walls
>> away where I plan to take my laptop to receive a 'streaming' Internet
>> connection.
>> I have a wireless notebook card that meets the latest "G" standard.
>> The plan at the moment is to use this service only occasionally so a
>> wireless routers come
>> to mind as the most cost efficient solution.
>I do these types of bridging setups fairly regularly.
>> However my experience has shown me that *not all things are created
>> equal* just like not all
>> hammers are the same. Some are useful in pounding nails and others
>> are suitable to be used
>> with a chisel.
>:-)
>> My problem is compounded by the fact that there are, in my area at
>> least, three Companies
>> that offer wireless routers for sale and they all look the about same
>> from the outside (or on the
>> box) with one, two or even three antennas.
>Three antennas would be 802.11n equipment (and you can get four antennas
>on these, too).
>> Another problem that I'm facing is lack of experience, and now I'm
>> trying to catch up.
>> I think I understand what the multi-antenna thing is about. It's
>> about dual-diversity.
>Well, that's what two antennas do, at least. To understand about more
>than two, you have to delve into multipath technology.
>> My latest excursion into a very big electronics store, I spied a
>> replaceable antenna that
>> is suppose to add 7db of gain to the wireless router. Naturally it
>> wasn't free.
>Don't be fooled!!! So many retail antennas are just hype. Go to a place
>which actually sells *antennas*. Moonblink (www.moonblink.com ) is a
>good start, or Fleeman, Anderson & Bird (www.fab-corp.com ).
>> So! Will I be able to use the wireless notebook adapter that I
>> already own with off the
>> shelf equipment? And if so, which one?
>> I seem to recall using a wireless router in the past where the output
>> was adjustable.
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>I lean toward the LinkSys WRT54G flashed with DD-WRT firmware (though
>there are other open source firmware distros available). You can
>configure for client/bridge mode, where each end also acts like an
>access point (so you may use your notebook's wireless adapter to connect
>as well as bridging the distance over the air). That said, depending
>upon what's in between your two points (glass, brick, or open air), you
>may need a more focused antenna, which might preclude simultaneous
>optimal use as an access point. In this case, set up your wireless
>bridge, and set up a separate Wi-Fi AP for your "local" traffic on one
>or both ends.
>
>PS - Glad you finally got this to the list!
>
>--
>Lewis
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>Lewis G Rosenthal, CNA, CLP, CLE
>Rosenthal & Rosenthal, LLC www.2rosenthals.com
>Need a managed Wi-Fi hotspot? www.hautspot.com
>Treasurer, Warpstock Corporation www.warpstock.org
>-------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
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