[Ham-Computers] RE: wireless connectivity

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Basically, you're looking for a dial-up gateway/router - they're not
very common, but do exist.  They work similarly to broadband routers,
but use a dial-up connection instead.  Ever since the advent of
broadband, these are really getting hard to find!

Luckily, some broadband products include a dial-up "backup" (aka
"fail-over") feature.  This is more commonly found in business grade
products when "up-time" is critical - they can't afford to be down at
any time and even a dial-up connection would work.

In the SOHO market, one product I know of (and used) is Netgear's
FWG114P.  It's a 802.11G Wireless AP/Router plus a USB print server and
a serial port for fail-over (dial-up).  You'll need to supply an
external modem for the fail-over connection.  IIRC, the configuration
screen also allows you to select the serial port as the primary
connection type (rather than fail-over).  More details here:

http://www.netgear.com/products/details/FWG114P.php

Be careful though when using LAN based dial-up devices - if there's
*ANY* traffic on your network that's destined for the internet (not your
local network), it will trigger the device to dial-up the connection
(thus tying up your phone line).  If you plan on using the router for
this particular purpose (dial-up connections), I highly suggest that you
turn off the router (or the modem) when you don't need it to prevent
un-necessary (or un-timely) calls.

Cost-wise, you're probably better off just buying a 100-foot phone cable
and walking around the house with it.  The FWG114P runs about $150 and a
compatible external modem about $50.  The cable will only set you back a
few bucks.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Lu
Sent: Sunday, April 02, 2006 9:28 PM
To: Ham-Computers at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] wireless connectivity


I was wondering if a device exists that would allow me to connect my
laptop to my home dialup connection wirelessly.  I already have a
Network Interface Card which works with my college's high-speed wireless
network, but it would also be nice to come home and use the same laptop
on an "RF modulated dialup connection", allowing me to work from any
room without having to first set up a broadband service.  I would expect
it to be just an AC powered box with an antenna sticking out of it, and
a modular plug for the dialup connection, then maybe a second smaller
box that plugs into the laptop's dialup jack or NIC jack.  My laptop
would be the only computer, so I'm not looking to set up the usual
wireless home network, just a single non-broadband wireless connection.
Comments?


N2SLN