Expanding WiFi Networks with Laptops?

briano

This might be a silly question, but who knows...

If several users are a using WLAN with a single Access Point would it be possible to use the individual wireless cards to boost the signal? Say, in a similar fashion to the way repeaters and amplifiers work on analogue lines.

I only ask because I am currently in DIT Kevin st, and the library has the worst set up possible for Laptop users. The AP is at the opposite end of the library to the area where laptop users can sit. And Line of site is virtually impossible due to a great big atrium in the middle.

Thanks anyways.

hostyle

Depends on your wireless card and OS. With Linux and a card with drivers available capable of acting as an AP or backup AP (repeater mode) it is possible.

EDIT:

Re-read your post. The repeater would need to be in between the AP and the end of the library, so what I suggested won't really help.

briano

No, That would be possible as there are one or two power points inbetween the AP and the main Laptop area.

What would be difficult however is getting people to use Linux. We nearly have "Powered by Microsoft" writen on our degrees.

I've been having a look on google, but haven't come up with anything. If I see something I'll let you know

secret_squirrel

Id did see mention of a piece of software on theregister.com that basic does the wirelessnetworking equivalent of a p2p client. It basically turns all pc's with a wireless network card into virtual AP's, which then just forward packets between them until they reach their destination.

Cant remember the name of the company or how far they were from releasing the software........

briano

Yeah, The company is called cirond. That looks a little interesting, although possibly a bit too pricey for students (ie price != 0)

wes

Well i my card won't work quite right in Linux for some reason. No honest idea why it does that. I will have to try and find out whats wrong someday. Yeah its is true Windows is the predominant OS here, but if you do CSAA in FT228-3 or in one of the other computer course you do quite a bit on Linux and what not. Yeah the wifi set up is complete ****, i am hearing they might expand the network next year with some luck. The only other thing would be to use Aungies St library which is far better overall.

briano

Unfortunately, if you do CSAA, then you can't do work experience (which was the best part of the course imo)

I wasn't asking about this with a view to doing anything in particular about it in KST, but just looking at the setup got me thinking...

wes

Well work experience isn't for everyone. I have heard some people loving it and also heard a fair share who hate it. Having said that there are one or 2 lads who hate CSAA, but they seem to do that about everything in anyways.

As for the network with luck they will improve things.

Capt'n Midnight

People propose MESH networks (google) every so often, the idea is that if you can see the AP and some one can see you then you can link them to the AP.

There are several propitary solutions but mucho expensive and most definitely not interoperable.

I've not seen a way of getting windows to have WiFi card to work as AP without hack of doubtful legality (flashing an orinico each time driver loads) or additial softwar cost (and if that companies AP drives were ten times as good as the client drivers they would still be unusable).

Ad Hoc peer to peer mode sounds like it might work - except it has problems when you have more than two clients.

The way the industry want you to do it is to buy more access points - preferrably ones with two wireless devices and even better if they need special licenses to talk to each other (Orinoco / Avaya). Only in the last year or two have AP's with client mode become common and even then they don't change mode between each packet.

Another problem is that store and forward implies either loosing half the bandwidth (at least) if you stay on the same channel or channel hopping which I guess leads to all sorts of hidden node problems and all sorts of re-negotation problems.

To get internet access you will need TCPIP so you need to work out how to allocate dynamic IP's and gateways - especially since many of the devices more than a hop away won't be able to see a DHCP server - If it's a project you could just wave a magic wand and say IPv6 will sort that bit out

hostyle

Originally posted by wes
Well i my card won't work quite right in Linux for some reason.

Whats the model / make of wireless card? The majority of wireless cards have working Linux drivers these days. Check http://www.hpl.hp.com/personal/Jean_Tourrilhes/Linux/ just to make sure. Unfortunately some wireless cards require you to download and compile drivers. This isn't overly difficult, but would not be considered simple for a Linux beginner.

Capt'n Midnight

Not all cards can act as AP's - firmware features needed - some of which can be flashed or done by drivers..

If it is a notebook with centrino - linux drivers
http://www.irishwan.org/board/showthread.php?p=8039#post8039

namit_coro

just get them to move the AP

briano

I was just wondering if it is possible to do, rather than wanting to change the specific setup in the library.

Firstly, admins may not like snotty nosed undergrads telling them what to do and secondly, I'll only be a snotty nosed undergrad for another 30 days.

Capt'n Midnight

Ah so what you want is a stronger signal - not a new protocol...

If you have a PCMCIA wireless card you could add an external antenna to it's conenctor if it has one

If it don't have a connector or uses and internal antenna or built in wireless card then change the orientation of the laptop - move books on the shelves so you have line of sight to the AP - or get some thin foil to act as a reflector..