Mailing List os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com Archived Message #3606 previous message next message back to list

From: Christian Langanke <os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com> Full Headers
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Sender: os2-wireless_users-owner <os2-wireless_users-owner@2rosenthals.com>
Subject: [OS2Wireless] OS/2 based Router/AP
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 09:22:22 +0200
To: os2-wireless_users@2rosenthals.com

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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