[Ham-Computers] RE: Connecting a Wireless Bridge

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Jim,

This is what you'll need to do...

1.  Buy a Wireless Router - this will replace your existing router and
hub.  My personal suggestion is an older generation Linksys WRT54G (or
GS) or the current WRT54GL.  The main reason is that these older models
(and the current "GL" model) are Linux based and 3rd party firmware is
available that enhance the functionality of this router.  However, if
you want something more "bleeding" edge, you can try one of the newer
"draft N" routers that purport higher speeds and longer range.  Haven't
played with these myself as I'm waiting for the "official" 802.11n spec
to be ratified.  BTW, most Wireless Routers generally have 4 (or more)
wired ports.  More specifically, Wireless Routers comprise 3 components
built into one box - a router, a wired switch, and a wireless access
point.

2.  Configure the router as necessary (DHCP, filters, logging, PPPoE,
etc)

3.  Connect your "wired" computers to the new wireless router and test.
Make sure everything works just like your old wired network.  Make
changes, as appropriate.


Here comes the "tricky" part...configuring the wireless components.
Since you've never configured a wireless network before, we'll do this
in two parts.  First with an "open" wireless link to test connectivity,
then with an "encrypted" link to secure (somewhat) the link.


4.  Configure the wireless router to use WiFi channel 1 (if possible)
and without any security.  Change the SSID to something other than the
default (for example, call it HRO5-2).  Make sure ESSID Broadcast is
enabled so other computers can "hear" the router's beacons.  Remember,
we're only testing at this point.  If it makes you feel more
comfortable, disconnect the wired computers for the time being except
for one which will be used to configure the router.

5.  Do a factory RESET of the WET11, then plug it directly into the
ethernet port of your laptop.  Make sure the "LINK" LED on the WET11 or
your network card turns on.  If not, flip the port switch on the WET11
and try again - it should turn on.

6.  Configure your computer with a "STATIC" IP address.  In Windows, you
do this via the Network Control Panel -> Network Adapter -> TCP/IP.
Make the IP address 192.168.1.10, mask 255.255.255.0.  You can leave the
gateway blank for now.

7.  Using a web browser (IE, Firefox, whatever), goto the URL address of
192.168.1.225 (the default address of the WET11).  The WET11 should
reply and challenge you with a UserID and password.  Enter the default
UserID and Password.

8.  Configure the WET11 with the same SSID as the wireless router.  The
WET11 looks for AP's with the same SSID in order to "bridge" to that AP.
Make sure security is disabled, and, if required, make sure it's on the
same WiFi channel as the AP (channel 1, in our case).

9.  If all goes well, when you save the settings and the WET11 restarts,
it should pick-up the wireless router and connect.  You can verify by
viewing the status page on the WET11.

10. Once you've verified that the WET11 is connected, change your
computer's IP configuration back to "DHCP assigned".  Also make sure
that the DNS entries are also "DHCP assigned" as Windows doesn't
automatically switch this back.

11. When you save the IP settings in WinXP, they should take effect
immediately.  Wait a minute or so and then try going to
http://www.google.com.  If Google comes up, then the link is properly
established, the WET11 is bridging, and DHCP is working via the bridge.
If Google doesn't come up, go to a "Command Prompt" and type "IPCONFIG",
then press <ENTER>.  You should have an IP address in the same range as
the rest of your network.  If you have 0.0.0.0 or 169.254.x.x, then the
link between the WET11 and the AP is down, or, DHCP isn't being properly
passed via the WET11 and your router (not uncommon).  If you can't get a
DHCP address, try assigning a STATIC IP address to your computer within
the IP range of your network.  Linksys routers use 192.168.1.x, so
assign an address in this range that doesn't overlap with anything else
on your network (make sure the router is set to exclude this address
from DHCP).  Also assign the your router's address as the DNS server
address for your computer.  Then save the settings and try to access the
wireless router's configuration page (not the WET11's).  If you can get
your wireless router's configuration page, then the WET11 bridge is
active and you should now be able to get to Google.  If not, post the
results and we'll go from there.

12. While everything is working without encryption, take the laptop to
wherever it is you want to use it and make sure it still works (range
testing).  If so, continue with the next step.  If not, figure out how
far away you can be before you lose signal.

Once you've finished range testing and got everything going, it's time
to configure the wireless encryption.

13. From any "wired" computer (don't do this wirelessly as it's not
secure yet), goto the wireless router's configuration page and configure
the wireless router to use 64-bit WEP encryption.  I prefer the 10-digit
HEX key rather than a 5-character ASCII method (or passphrase).  You
need to come up with a 10-digit combination of numbers and letters from
A-F (HEX).  I would normally recommend WPA encryption, but the WET11
does not support WPA.  Also, since WEP is inherently flawed, 128-bit WEP
is really no more secure than 64-bit WEP.  Once configured, restart the
router.

14. Once again configure the laptop with an IP address of 192.168.1.10.
Then open the WET11's configuration pages (at 192.168.1.225).

15. Configure the WET11's security page with the same encryption type
and key as configured on the router.  Save the configuration and restart
the WET11.

16. Open the WET11's status page and verify that it's connected with the
access point.

17. Repeat steps 10, 11, and 12 to verify that everything is working
with encryption.  If so, you're up and running.  If not, try to
determine the fault point and fix from there.


Optional step(s):

18. Configure the router's wireless access list to only accept
connections from authorized network clients.  This will help prevent
unauthorized computers from connecting to your network.  To do this,
you'll need to enter the MAC address of the *WET11* to your wireless
router's access list.

19. Turn off the ESSID Broadcast beacon.  This may hinder the WET11's
ability to connect, so make sure to range test as the WET11 does seem to
be better able to establish connections when it can "hear" SSID beacons.


Note(s):

The WET11 is pretty old and the RF radio is pretty "deaf" compared to
newer adapters.  If you actually open up the WET11, you'll find a PCMCIA
WiFi card plugged into a circuit board.  The WiFi card is manufactured
by either SENAO or Bromax, with the Bromax being the more sensitive of
the two.  There is a firmware upgrade for the SENAO card, but it's not a
simple task.  With my WET11 though, it made the WET11 much more stable
and better able to maintain links.

A better option is to find an older PCMCIA based WiFi card that has a
MCX external antenna connector and use it with your laptop (rather than
the WET11).  Buffalo Technology (buffalotech.com) currently sells a
"hi-power" (500mW) 802.11g PC-Card that has an external antenna
connector and they also sell the matching antenna.  Another option is to
buy a USB based WiFi adapter and use a 10' USB extension cable to mount
the adapter for better RF reception (the antenna is in the adapter).
You can also try one of the "extended range" adapters, but these are
more expensive and may not help in certain circumstances.

As for the problem you experienced with the software...it's designed to
work with the WET11 plugged directly into a computer, not a network
switch/hub.  If you follow the instructions above, you can bypass the
WET11 software altogether.

Also, a WET11 to WET11 bridge won't work...the WET11 was designed to
look for a wireless AP, not another WET11 (AFAIK).  Also, if you do get
a "newer" wireless router, don't enable the "WDS" mode for bridging -
the WET11 pre-dates WDS and isn't compatible.  WDS is also tricky to
configure as each manufacturer has tweaked WDS to work best with their
own products...often a specific line of products and many not work with
other lines of the same manufacturer's products.

For reference, you can by the WRT54GL from Newegg.com for $70.  If you
look hard enough, you might be able to find some of the older version
Linksys WRT54G(S) routers as old stock at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit
City, and elsewhere.  Often, these are on sale (along with the new
version) for under $50.  Linksysinfo.org has a list that shows what
version router is "in-the-box" based on the serial number printed on the
outside of the box.  I purchased 2 on sale for $29 a few months ago.  If
you don't need to extra functionality of 3rd party firmware, then just
get the newest version (or buy the WRT54GL).


GL, 73, and let me know if you have more Q's!

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O


________________________________

Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2006 11:35 AM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] RE: Connecting a Wireless Bridge


Aaron:  Sorry I couldn't get back earlier, but some non-computer
activities had first priority.
 
Purpose
I want to connect a laptop to my existing setup using a wireless
connection. I'm primarily interested in an Internet connection. The
laptop will be used in another building where commercial (88-108MHz) FM
reception is "iffy", so thought I should have the opportunity of
positioning the antenna for best reception.  I didn't think a wireless
adapter plugged in to the pcmcia port on the laptop would do the job, so
purchased the WET11.
 
Current Wireless Equipment
Other than the WET11 I just purchased, I have no wireless equipment. My
computers are connected together using a router and hub to a cable modem
using CAT5 cable. 
 
Additional Equipment Needed
I'll need another wireless device, but don't know what I should
purchase.  Do I need a wireless router (and do wireless routers also
have wired ports?), or would another WET11 do the job?  WET11's are
cheaper.  I have lots of questions, so thought I would just purchase the
WET11, try it out and start learning.  After reading Linksys info, I'm
not sure that the WET11 can be used with the laptop in my setup.
 
Tests Performed
The seller included a Quick Start sheet, which said to connect the
bridge to the router, open IE, and enter http://192.168.1.225
<http://192.168.1.225/> .  I did so, and a Linksys screen appeared.
WET11 is mentioned, so I must be accessing the bridge.
 
Next, I tried the setup software.  It made a check and said  "The setup
wizard was unable to locate a wireless bridge on your network"  I assume
the wizard is referring to the WET11 I just connected. 
 
What's the Problem?
Is the bridge I just purchased defective or am I doing something
incorrectly?  The seller sells many bridges, provides much useful info,
and had good feedback.  I think I have a bad case of "cockpit error".