Geek Thread - The Bridge Works!

[crokett]

My wireless bridge works! I am posting this connected to the bridge. I got a router for free and installed DD-WRT on it. Needed a wireless bridge to get the satellite receiver on the internet. The DD-WRT update made me nervous since there were warnings with this model that just about every step could brick it. It actually took more time to get the bridge working than the FW update. So now my main router is an Asus running DD-WRT and my bridge is an old Linksys also running DD-WRT. This opens up possibilities for a computer in the shop....

[TB Roye]

Guess I am lucky. I have ATT Uverse and every thing runs through Residential Gateway (router) as the Gateway is in my Den I am wired directly to the router. LOML in her den is also by CAT5, that we ran from every room in the house. You can if you want too plug a laptop or desktop into any outlet in the house and be on line. You can also go wireless if you choose and also be able to print on the printer(once your run the Printer setup disk on you Laptop) I can take my desktop with a wireless adapter out to the shop and get on line, although I use my netbook for that. The shop is 70 ft from my den and router, what I should have done while we were running the CAT5 was run one from the shop into the house. The PCV conduit is there and I have the fish tape it would simple to do, maybe in the spring. Then I could have TV and the computer out there and get nothing done. A few years ago I might have gone through what David did but no more, don't have the patience anymore to fight with Geeky stuff.

Tom

[crokett]

I think now I'd rather do the geeky stuff than pull cat-5 all over the place. Somebody suggested I could do ethernet over the power lines but those kits run 80 bucks or so to get started.

[LinuxRandal]

I would like to know how the performance is?

I would like to setup pc's elsewhere in the house, where I would be wise to have either a Bridge, or something like a vpn/ssh tunnel. (trying to figure out both needs, and things I want to learn)

[crokett]

I will have to let you know. I didn't test it except for a few minutes, but I didn't notice any lags starting this thread and visiting a few other sites. Right now the only thing hooked to the bridge is my DVR receiver. Performance seemed normal when I had my laptop briefly hooked up but I will play with it a bit more. As I mentioned, another option is ethernet over your power lines. A guy at work on my team does this. Performance is good enough for him to stream video. The only caveat he says is to make sure you have the modules on circuits on the same side of your breaker box or else the signal has to go all the way out to the transformer and then it might not work.

[cabinetman]

When AT&T upgraded our modem, we had to use an antenna from our old Lynksys system on one desktop. It works on two computers. We don't notice slower speed when the laptop is at the far end of the house. Never tried to walk out to the back yard at any distance. Seems it should get a signal to your shop.
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[cgallery]

There are many directional antennas that, when combined with a router in bridge mode shooting at another router feeding it, will allow you quite a range. Should be able to get the PC in the shop no problem provided you have line of site.

[TB Roye]

My old LINKSYS router and Wireless adapter was supposed to have a range of 300 ft. My current one (ATT) has about the same. I did notice that the internal wireless antenna on my Netbook does not have the same signal strength out in the shop as it does with the external USB wireless adapter. Where I place the Netbook in the shop also has a affect on the signal strength. The signal pass through the window glass better than the insulated wall next to the window. When I do a search for all Wireless Networks I pick up my neighbors networks that are up to 200 ft. from me, I was even able to get on one that wasn't protected, idiot. It is nice to have a computer in the shop as long as you aren't sanding or doing some other dust producing project.

Tom

[crokett]

The thing about the bridge is it lets an otherwise wireless incapable device connect wirelessly. Besides, if you can score a free router, or already have one that can do it, a wireless connection is then free.

[TCOTTLE]

Which satellite service are you using? Here in the middle of nowhere, Maine, neither dsl/cable or wireless can reach me!

[crokett]

I just switched to Dish last week, but my internet service is DSL. I can get DSL here, can't get cable. One of the guys on my team at work had satellite as his ISP until he could get DSL. He said it worked but was expensive, about 60 bucks a month and it was slower than DSL.

[cabinetman]

AT&T still hasn't repaired our internet connection (DSL) dropping off. Going on 6 weeks now. So, this week, we will likely go with Comcast.
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[jackellis]

David, I have a Netgear wireless router (WGR614 rev7) that I'd love to convert for this purpose, but I have no idea how to update the firmware. Can you point me to a hint?

[phi1l]

David, I have a Netgear wireless router (WGR614 rev7) that I'd love to convert for this purpose, but I have no idea how to update the firmware. Can you point me to a hint?

According to the DD-WRT router database DD-WRT can't be run on the WGR614 Rev. 7 I checked the Netgear website & apparently that model does not support a Bridge mode.

THe DD-WRT Router database: http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database

[crokett]

Jack, Phil's right. I have that same router but am no longer using it. Mine was acting up so when I replaced it I got one that supported DD-WRT. My bridge is an old Linksys that I got free that also supports it. Phil already gave you the link to the router database. If you need/want a bridge a router can be had off Craigslist for 30<>40 bucks that supports DD-WRT. Then you can flash that router to the new firmware, use it as the bridge and leave your Netgear in place as the main router. There are lots of folks that do that. Like I said, if you can get the router cheaply enough it is a cheap way to get otherwise non-wireless equipment wireless.