"Spacey Spade" <spaceygum@hotpop.com> hath wroth:

>Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>> On 4 Aug 2006 16:49:00 -0700, "Spacey Spade" <spaceygum@hotpop.com>
>> wrote:
>[snip]
>> >I'm looking for this as an alternative to a wireless bridge connected
>> >to a wireless router, since wireless bridges tend to be proprietary
>> >(only work with their own kind).
>[snip]
>> 1. Conventional wireless router connected to wireless client bridge.
>> The bridge need only bridge one MAC address so any "game adapter" will
>> work. The other end of the link is a wireless access point or
>> wireless router. The problem with this method is that you might end
>> up with double NAT if you have two routers.

>I guess the wireless client bridges that can connect more than one MAC
>address are the ones that tend to be proprietary (so you would be
>better off connecting to an access point of the same brand)? Or are
>those the transparent bridges that need to be the same brand/model on
>either side?

Good question. I don't have a complete answer. There are many names
for a "wireless client ethernet bridge" adapter:
http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Wireless_Bridge
The problem is that it's difficult to distinguish between a wireless
client that will bridge exactly one MAC address, and one that will do
more than one. The data sheets consistently refuse to mention this
not-so-minor detail. It also has degenerated into a marketing tool,
where it's more profitable to sell an overpriced "game adapter" for
each game console, than a single "wireless client ethernet bridge" and
an ethernet switch, to do the same thing for much lower cost (and much
better game console to game console performance).

I've wanted to prepare a list of ethernet client adapters and the
number of MAC addresses they will bridge. So far, I know that the
following will bridge more than one MAC address:
WET11, WET54G, WAP54G, WRT54G with DD-WRT in client mode,
DWL-900AP+, and WAP11 v2.6. Also, any of the devices
labelled as a "workgroup bridge".
However, that's all I know for sure.

Multiple MAC addresses are not really proprietary. For example, in
Ad-Hoc mode, a client can connect to 8 other devices and MAC
addresses. This is clearly defined in IEEE802.11-1999. However, in
infrastructure mode, which uses an access point, there was no need to
connect to more than one MAC address. So, the commodity clients
didn't bother to include the feature. Bummer.

>Anyway, depending on the answer I am now down to looking for a wireless
>client bridge that can handle multiple MAC addresses or a single MAC
>address and have the following requirements:
>
>- 802.11b/g, and hopefully also 802.11a

If you add 802.11a as a requirement, the number of possible client
radios drops dramatically.

>- external antenna connector
>
>Links of Interest:
>http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge
>http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php..._Mode_Wireless
>http://forum.bsr-clan.de/viewtopic.p...t=bridge#11522

I use DD-WRT on various routers with good results. Also look at
OpenWRT as a suitable alternative. However, I have only played with
the client mode long enough to be sure it works and no more. I was
able to use DD-WRT to simultaneously bridge two laptops to a DI-614+
wireless router without difficulties.

>The WRT54G does have an RP-TNC external antenna connector:
>http://www.wirelessnetworkproducts.c...n=Custom&ID=29

The actually connector is usually either a RP-TNC (or RP-SMA on other
products). I usually attach a pigtail adapter to a Type N connector
and then to the antenna. The pigtail is to prevent breaking the
connector on the radio because coax cables useable at 2.4GHz tend to
be rather stiff and thick.

>The WGA54AG does both 802.11g and 802.11a, but I think the antenna does
>not come off.
>Any other options?
>http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=73

OpenWRT.
| http://wiki.openwrt.org/OpenWrtDocs/Hardware
| http://wiki.openwrt.org/TableOfHardware

If you don't want to use alternative firmware, methinks any of the
following will work (not 100% sure).
WET54G:
| http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper
WAP54G:
| http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper
WAP54GP:
| http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper
DWL-2100AP:
| http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=292

Etc. Check the spec sheets on the various vendors of "access point"
devices as these usually also include a "client mode". The problem is
whether the client mode will do more than one MAC address. The spec
sheet usually doesn't say.

It might be handy to see what's in the web based configurations:
DLink:
http://support.dlink.com/faq/view.asp?prod_id=1457
Linksys:
http://www.linksysdata.com/ui/



--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558