WiFi Modem?

What are the features which allow a device to be referred to as a WiFi
"Modem"?

Different from a router? ..an amplifier? Does it have another more
common name?

On December 12, my small town completed deployment of a citywide free
wireless network. The "modem" (Peplink Surf) suggested for those that
have trouble connecting is described here:

http://www.kite.net/longmont/network/cpe.php

The network is working. Inside my house, the internal wireless card
in my laptop cannot access the signals, but an external Hawking USB
HWU54D adapter receives at 40% to 50%, and is pretty stable.

I'm curious about the "modem", (which I'd never heard of) in case
things change when all the trees get populated with leaves.

--
Barbara

"Barbara" <bcallen@nospam.attglobal.net> wrote in news:DeXnHmMUzXdD-pn2-
vsvWrWVlJ4H9@localhost:

> What are the features which allow a device to be referred to as a WiFi
> "Modem"?
>
> Different from a router? ..an amplifier? Does it have another more
> common name?
>
> On December 12, my small town completed deployment of a citywide free
> wireless network. The "modem" (Peplink Surf) suggested for those that
> have trouble connecting is described here:
>
> http://www.kite.net/longmont/network/cpe.php
>
> The network is working. Inside my house, the internal wireless card
> in my laptop cannot access the signals, but an external Hawking USB
> HWU54D adapter receives at 40% to 50%, and is pretty stable.
>
> I'm curious about the "modem", (which I'd never heard of) in case
> things change when all the trees get populated with leaves.
>

The 'modem' is just an 802.11B/G client device, that connects directly to a
network via ethernet instead of being a PCMCIA card, or USB adapter.

This particular one seems to do NAT on the client side.

And yes, there could be a BIG difference between trees with and w/o leaves.

On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:35:17 UTC, DanS
<t.h.i.s.n.t.h.a.t@a.d.e.l.p.h.i.a.n.e.t> wrote:

> The 'modem' is just an 802.11B/G client device, that connects directly to a
> network via ethernet instead of being a PCMCIA card, or USB adapter.

Thanks. Since asking my original question, I've learned quite a lot.
There are many questions/answers concerning the Google city WiFi net
in Mountain View, CA. Ours is similar, but I believe will be turned
into a subscription service after testing. I just blundered into it
by accident. Hawking adapter is amazing!

From Google WiFi Mountain View CA questions:

(talks about Google network.., then..)

"Like a DSL or cable modem, it requires power and has an ethernet
connection to which you can attach a PC, laptop or personal home
router. In short, a WiFi modem allows a user to convert the Google
WiFi wireless signal into a wired signal.

What makes a WiFI modem distinct from a conventional WiFi client is
that it has transmit power capable of reaching the WiFi equipment
installed on lamp posts, and software features that optimized for use
with an outdoor network."

PepLink Surf and Ruckus MetroFlex are two recommended brands. There
may be others.

Pretty exciting stuff!

--
Barbara

Earthlink just installed citywide wireless in my city too.

However, what I want is to be able to walk around my house and get
wireless signals.

It seems the modem they're selling and the MetroFlex Wireless Access
Gateway doesn't let you do that. It's only wireless to get the signal
to your house. Both these devices require an ethernet cable to connect
to your computer.

Or, you have to buy two devices; a wireless modem to get the signal to
your house and a a wireless router to distribute that signal inside
your house. Am I explaining that well?

Question: Does anyone know if there is ONE device that will do both? I
want one device that brings the signal to my house and sends it thru my
house.

Has anyone had experience connecting to one of these new citywide
wireless networks, such as MetroFi or Earthlink WiFi?

Thanks,
Bill


Barbara wrote:
> On Tue, 26 Dec 2006 14:35:17 UTC, DanS
> <t.h.i.s.n.t.h.a.t@a.d.e.l.p.h.i.a.n.e.t> wrote:
>
> > The 'modem' is just an 802.11B/G client device, that connects directly to a
> > network via ethernet instead of being a PCMCIA card, or USB adapter.
>
> Thanks. Since asking my original question, I've learned quite a lot.
> There are many questions/answers concerning the Google city WiFi net
> in Mountain View, CA. Ours is similar, but I believe will be turned
> into a subscription service after testing. I just blundered into it
> by accident. Hawking adapter is amazing!
>
> From Google WiFi Mountain View CA questions:
>
> (talks about Google network.., then..)
>
> "Like a DSL or cable modem, it requires power and has an ethernet
> connection to which you can attach a PC, laptop or personal home
> router. In short, a WiFi modem allows a user to convert the Google
> WiFi wireless signal into a wired signal.
>
> What makes a WiFI modem distinct from a conventional WiFi client is
> that it has transmit power capable of reaching the WiFi equipment
> installed on lamp posts, and software features that optimized for use
> with an outdoor network."
>
> PepLink Surf and Ruckus MetroFlex are two recommended brands. There
> may be others.
>
> Pretty exciting stuff!
>
> --
> Barbara