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Date:  Wed, 27 Oct 2004 09:22:22 +0200
Sender: os2-wireless_users-owner <os2-wireless_users-owner@2rosenthals.com>
Reply-To: os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com
From:  Christian Langanke <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com>
To:  os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com
Subject: [OS2Wireless] OS/2 based Router/AP

John Poltorak wrote:

>Is there any chance of being able to build an OS/2 based router and access 
>point?
>
>What would it need? AFAICS a NIC and device driver for the ADSL port would 
>be sufficient although I doubt whether an OS/2 driver existed. Linux 
>drivers are available for some cards - maybe they could be ported...
>
eCS V1.1. already has everything required at least for the router stuff. 
The OEM version of ISDNPM included in that CS, a.k.a. eCSCoNet can run 
PPP over Ethernet over every nic having an OS/2 driver. Use my Internet 
Assistant (also included in eCS V1.1) to configure that thing half 
automatically, otherwise you end up in configuring two rather conplex 
ASCII config files with tons of options.

Concerning the access point, you would need a PCI (or even ISA ?) PCMCIA 
adapter card for a desktop PC with required drivers (direct drivers or 
socket drivers for the PCMCIA part of the adapter card). To my knowledge 
this will be rather difficult, but there may still be an existing 
solution available out there.

Due to several reasons I though would recommend not to go for such a 
aolsution, but rather buy a standalone access point with DSL festures, 
even if is (and it does not necessarily have to be) more expensive.

First, real access points (mostly with DSL included) are cheaper than 
100$ (here e.g. 60 to 70 EUR for a brand new NetGear device), mostly 
having a complete firewall and DHCP, DDNS support and other features 
inclusive. So beside avoiding the hunt for drivers you get extra 
functionality right away.

Second, such a device will likely consume less power when running (all 
day?).

Third, if you use a PCMCIA card in a desktop system, you should use one 
with a very good bult-in or external antenna, bothmay or will cost you 
additional money. Otherwise this solution will have poorer radio 
characteristics than every access point that you could attach everywhere 
at the wall. The best vertical position for an access point is the 
highest possible, and that will be kind of a problem with a PCMCIA card 
being plugged into a desktop PC, having no external antenna.


BTW, I use the NetGear MR314 since two years now, this is an older 
802.11b access point, which may be cheaper than the newer MR814, which 
is just a bit faster and has some more firewall features. The older 
MR314 is completely sufficient for me, until now there is no reason to 
buy a newer AP until now. It may as well be offered on ebay in the 
meantime (ebay.com reported 26 hits, one package incuded even a PCMCIA 
card for 40$ to buy at once). This thing has a good firewall as well as 
DHCP, DDNS support and fits my needs perfectly.

thanx, Christian

-------------------------------------------------

Christian Langanke
COS2E & CWSE
Team OS/2 Ruhr e.V.
cla@clanganke.de

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