WiFi FAQ - Page 4

Bugbyte · 02-18-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BlkAvalanche

I just spent 20 min trying to read this sticky with my wife telling me to get off the computer because it is valentines day and I should be spending time with her all because I wanted to find out what a good usb wifi adapter might be. After reading this, I have no clue! I now know what is leagal and illegal but that deos me no good unless I can figure out what wifi usb adapter to buy

Is there any way we can get some kind of poll that shows what wifi adapter people are using and how effective it is? Kind of like the one that was posted about gps softwear. Even if some of you can describe and or give links to the adapters and or antennas you are using. If I am speaking out of turn, let me know. I am still new

1. If you like your wife, don't surf the net on Valentine's Day, period!
2. I've owned a number of adaptors, D-Link USB, NetGear PCI among them. They've all worked fine. Buy a brand name and you'll most likely do well with it. However, you might want to buy a model that allows an external antenna as range is an issue in the car. This makes it more expensive, but is better than poor range which effectively ruins your investment in the adaptor in the first place.

Check the install that others have and see what adaptors they are using. You'll probably find that there is a wide range.

BlkAvalanche · 02-25-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jonessc

What car pc are u using is it laptop, or a base unit style?

It is a base unit style. After doing a little more research I found this usb adapter by Engenius. From what I can find, everyone who owns one loves it.
http://www.netgate.com/product_info....roducts_id=297

I was going to add an external antenna and was trying to decide between these two
http://sharperconcepts.zoovy.com/product/YSC-HG2409MGU

http://cgi.ebay.com/WiFi-7-dB-Magnet...QQcmdZViewItem

What do you all think about these two? Is it really worth the $40 for an extra 1.5 dbi? How much more range will this get me?

bes51659 · 03-05-2007, 03:14 AM

I'd like to bump one of the earlier posts.

Quote: Originally Posted by Chairboy

A popular use of WiFi in car computer setups is called 'War Driving'. This is a process where you run a program that looks for access points that allow you to access the internet. A typical use of that might be to have a program that periodically grabs a few K worth of data from a traffic site or occasionally uploads your GPS coordinates to a server for tracking.

War Driving, despite the name, is completely legal. Connecting to personal networks to access their internal data, however, is not.

The most popular program for doing this on Windows is called NetStumbler. It is available at http://netstumbler.org/ and supports many popular chipsets. It can also use your GPS to assign a location of each access point found so you can maintain a database. Driving from work to home in Los Angeles, I typically see upwards of a hundred access points, half of them without WEP encryption enabled.

On Linux, popular programs include AirSnort and Kismet, the latter a tool that can also detect people running NetStumbler.

I have downloaded netstumbler but I do not understand howto make the carputer automatically connect to internet to ftp my tracking info. If I am in the car, sure, I can manually connect to one specific AP or make the carputer use my phone via BT for internet access. But a car thief is not likely to do that....

Has anyone done this?

Edit:
I found an article about this and started this new thread: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=98608

malkamus · 03-08-2007, 09:46 PM

Not sure if this is the right place but if not sorry. I have 2 systems in my car,
both in the same case. I am planning on using clearwire for internet since it is in my city. I want to network both together to use the clearwire but also have wifi option for when I am out of the coverage area of clearwire. I know I can use a wired or wireless router for the cleawire and joining the 2 computers but how would I add the wifi and what equipment would I need(external antenna preferably and hot spot connection not broadband card like sprint or verizon.) Thanks.

bes51659 · 03-09-2007, 04:01 AM

Your problem is similar to mine.

So Clearwire is a wireless ISP where you live with access points all over the place.

If you connect your pc's by wire (why 2 pc's?) and connect a Wifi USB stick to one of them you can use that pc as a gateway to internet for the other one.

As long as you move within clearwire, no problem, but when you move outside you need your wireless network to connect automatically to whatever free hotspots you pass thru.

The easy way is to get a Wifi dongle that can be configured by MS network. (You are using WinXP SP2?) Check out the thread I linked to.

trdvibe · 03-09-2007, 04:04 AM

hey, maklamus. so you are trying to figure out how to use wifi for areas that you do not get CW service? is that correct?? if so, then I would think it'd be no different from a laptop or any other wifi enabled system: hardwire to the modem for intown useage and install a wifi receiver so if you are going from one place to another you will be able to see if there are any "good" wifi networks available.

malkamus · 03-09-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bes51659

Your problem is similar to mine.

So Clearwire is a wireless ISP where you live with access points all over the place.

If you connect your pc's by wire (why 2 pc's?) and connect a Wifi USB stick to one of them you can use that pc as a gateway to internet for the other one.

As long as you move within clearwire, no problem, but when you move outside you need your wireless network to connect automatically to whatever free hotspots you pass thru.

The easy way is to get a Wifi dongle that can be configured by MS network. (You are using WinXP SP2?) Check out the thread I linked to.

Yes Clearwire is an ISP, they are not wifi per say, they have like cell towers but not cellular. I believe they are radio frequency, 1.5 meg broadband depending on signal. They are rolling out in cities slowly.

I do not really need internet on the second ofcourse but I do need access to the drives as backup storage if need be. One system runs the media, gps, and such, the second is running my obdII, engine PCM programmer, going to be running my ac/heat, doors, windows and such. That's why 2 pcs. I figured a router to connect them and if it is wireless if there was some way to connect say a regular wifi pc card to it and have wifi access outside and separate from the Clearwire.

malkamus · 03-09-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by trdvibe

hey, maklamus. so you are trying to figure out how to use wifi for areas that you do not get CW service? is that correct?? if so, then I would think it'd be no different from a laptop or any other wifi enabled system: hardwire to the modem for intown useage and install a wifi receiver so if you are going from one place to another you will be able to see if there are any "good" wifi networks available.

I figured I could connect the Clearwire modem to a router and connect the 2 network cards to the wired ports on the router. The wifi part I do not know the best way to do that part.

trdvibe · 03-09-2007, 04:14 PM

ok, so you have 2 PC's or just 2 NIC cards?? why not use a USB external Wifi antenna to pick up any networks available when you are out of range?

malkamus · 03-09-2007, 11:52 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by trdvibe

ok, so you have 2 PC's or just 2 NIC cards?? why not use a USB external Wifi antenna to pick up any networks available when you are out of range?

What I have for a setup is this. I am running a dual mini-itx Mobo 2u rack.
In it I have 2 jetway via boards, each have wired network. I want to connect them together to mostly give me access to the drives on both. I can connect them them hard wired through a router, I know I can connect one with a usb dongle but I am looking for the best setup for range. I doubt a usb dongle will do that.

trdvibe · 03-10-2007, 12:28 AM

quite true. LOL.

i would certainly look for an external Wifi antenna. not sure how you'd hook all that up to be honest.

GeckoAddict · 03-24-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by malkamus

What I have for a setup is this. I am running a dual mini-itx Mobo 2u rack.
In it I have 2 jetway via boards, each have wired network. I want to connect them together to mostly give me access to the drives on both. I can connect them them hard wired through a router, I know I can connect one with a usb dongle but I am looking for the best setup for range. I doubt a usb dongle will do that.

Assuming these systems are always physically together, you can always use a direct Ethernet cable if you're only going to two systems, no router needed. They used to require a crossover cable but I believe most Ethernet adapters are auto-switching now. You then manually assign an IP address to each (different) and you're good to go. They'll act as if they are connected to a network without actually being connected to a router or hub.
Source and How-to: Wired Networking, Step One: Choose Your Connection

bungee91 · 04-05-2007, 04:24 AM

For the users that don't happen to have a free PCI slot (me) and also it seems that USB versions of Wireless with external antenna hookups are pretty slim (I found 2 I think) is there any downfall to using a bridge for wireless access?

The only downfall I really see is that a bridge normally has to be powered, but most seem to be 5V, which shouldn't be a problem with a decent DC-DC power supply.

Opinions?... I have a USB D-link G adapter and the range and connection are very poor. Would like to make sure I do it right this time

bes51659 · 04-05-2007, 04:37 AM

Bridge? Isn't bridge just a gateway or thunnel? Or a card game :-)

I am without Pci slot too, and will use a USB Wifi with external antenna (bought on eBay. Not yet in hand) and WZC. Only I have problems with WZC not connecting to networks that aren't in the preferred list.

But there is no need for a bridge in the carputer.

However. When I get to the car with my laptop to update skins or what ever (this is just in my imagination so far as I have not started to install the carPC yet) that has internet access, I need an Internet Gateway Device on the lap in order to share that internet access with the carPuter.

Did I missunderstand your q? What is your setup? Do you have problems with WZC?

bungee91 · 04-05-2007, 06:59 AM

Wow people still read this thread (sorry but it is a good thread that has went WAY off topic!)
Anyhow from my understanding a bridge allows a device without wireless ability to add it by hooking up through an ethernet port.

So CarPC ethernet to bridge, BAM wireless access that hooks to my router or wherever else I can pick up a signal.

Reasoning I was thinking about it is because bridges can be had for fairly cheap, and most all I have seen have external antenna's.
I know with Xbox's and alike a bridge is used to add wireless where a network isn't wired.

Here's a link to one here
http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=333 (regardless what they call it, it's a bridge!)

Thoughts?

If not I am going to get a USB adaptor with external antenna, just there aren't many, and all seem to be "legacy" by now (which I am fine with, just seems harder to find)