Mailing List os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com Archived Message #360

From: "Jeffrey Race" <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com> Full Headers
Undecoded message
Subject: Re: [OS2Wireless] Which router?
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:41:11 +0700
To: "OS/2 Wireless Users Mailing List" <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com>

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.


 Firmware V 4.30.7
 
 Flashed December 6, 2008 per <http://dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation>
  and <http://dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G/GL/GS/GX#WRT54GL>
  and e-mail from Rosenthal 8Oct08   FAILED

 View <http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Recover_from_a_Bad_Flash>

 Hard reset fails

 Download <FW_WRT54GL_4.30.12.3_US_EN_code.bin> from
  <http://www.linksysinfo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51306>

 Use TFTP to flash

 C:\TEMP>tftp -i 192.168.1.1 PUT code.bin
 Transfer successful: 2941952 bytes in 12 seconds, 245162 bytes/s

 New firmware 4.30.12 build 3, Dec. 20, 2007

 Flashed December 20, 2008 with <dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin> (2.8 mb)
   from <http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/dd-wrt/downloads.html>
   (Tested OK from <https://secure.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/v24/MD5SUMS>)

   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

  Successful;
   
  Then flashed <dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin> [checked hash]
   from
<http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/down.php?path=downloads%2Fv24%2FBroadcom%2FLinksys%2FWRT54GL_1.1/>

  Use procedure at <http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation>


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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