Another Wireless Network Setup Question: Am I doing this right?

[moolman]

Hi,
Before I go purchase all the equipment needed I just wanted to know if I'm doing this right. From all the posts I've read this is what I got.

MY SITUATION:

Since AT&T is raising rates, we decided between 3 apartments to share the connection using a wireless network. one apt. is right above me and the other one is next to me, so they are relatively close by.

WHAT I WILL SETUP:

I'm going to buy one wireless switch such as the SMC one I saw on sale on amazon. In my apartment I'm going to split the connection using the built in switch on the SMC wireless thing. Each apartment will get one wireless USB network adapter, to split the connection, we'll have to use Internet Connection sharing.

Is there a way to split it after the wireless connection without using ICS?????? Maybe somekind of wireless switch, I couldn't find something like that on the websites.

Does this sound right???


Thanks for your help.

Alex

 

[ScottMac]

I'm not familiar with the SMC box, but Linksys has a unit that's a DSL/Cable router, four port switch, and wireless Access Point. If the SMC unit is the same, it's a no-brainer. If the SMC doesn't have the router/firewall component, maybe you should check out the Linksys.

Plug the cable modem into the wireless AP / switch, probably in a port marked "WAN" or something similar. Plug your computer (or the local computer) into a standard (not uplink) port of the switch.

Get together with your neighbors, config the wireless system (ssid, 40/128 bit keys), they put the NICs in their systems, apply the values (ssid, 40/128 bit keys) and everybody should be on. All communication (wired or non-wired) should be behind the firewall at that point, and life is good (unless AT&T finds out, then they'll cut your service).

The AP/switch should be programmed with the addressing supplied with the cable modem (address, mask, gateway, DNS, etc). If all the systems (wired or non-wired) get their configs from the DHCP server in the AP/Switch, everything should come up ready-to-go.

You shouldn't need ICS at all...unless the neighbors use it to extend their wireless connection to several computers.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[Garion]

Linksys now has a cable modem/bridge with 802.11b wireless built in - You'ld get everything you need without an extra box! Cheaper and easier.

If you're splitting it with others, I'd definitely avoid a software ICS-style app - If you have to reboot your PC while they are doing something they will be pissed!

- G

 

[moolman]

Hi,
I would also like to avoid using ICS but when using a wireless network how can you not. After the wireless NIC, it has to be split again so the only solution is a wireless switch but I don't think they make those.

Alex

 

[Xanathar]

What you are doing is also against Terms Of Service for any form of residential service. Bandwith is Not free, and this is effectivly stealing from the provider.

 

[Eug]

Moolman, what you're talking about doesn't exist for home use. You're thinking of a wireless router that would take a wireless signal as a DHCP client and then act as a DHCP server again using wired Ethernet.

What you could do though is get a wireless NIC for every computer that needs to be on the wireless network. ie. if your two neighbours have 4 computers, each computer would need their own wireless NIC. If your neighbours want to split the wireless link they have using wired Ethernet, then they'll have to use the ICS method.

Personally though, I think what you're attempting is a bad idea. There's no guarantee it will work, and whoever is hosting the access point is going to be getting hassled all the time. That's you. Plus, since you'll be using the router to share everything, all of you will be on the same network. If you decide to share files in your own home, you'll also be sharing with everyone else, unless you set up lots of security somehow. Plus, it's damn expensive to get all this hardware, especially considering it may not even work. This is especially true with the Linksys. Many people complain about mediocre range and the fact that the Linky is very buggy. Even with the SMC, which has better reviews, things are not guaranteed to work. Do you really want to play tech support for your neighbours?

 

[moolman]

Xanathar,
The reason I'm doing this is because of the recent price hikes but I guess you are right, I didn't realize it. I'll think about it the morality of it all. Me sharing bandwith with my neighbors or the cable company having a virtual monopoly with broadband access, no dsl here to far away, and charging whatever they want.

Eug,
Yeah I read the reviews for it and I know some people get horrible results. Luckily, I live near a fry's electronics that has the worst service but the best return policy. You can return anything there without a restocking fee. So I will try it out first. In terms of money, the cost for 4 apartments to have cable modem for 1 year is $2400 since its $50 a month. The equipment is way less than that.

I think I will go with the ICS method in each apartment except for the apartment next to me, which I will drill a hole in the wall to put a cable through it.

Alex

 

[moolman]

Also for the security, can't you just password protect the computer so that you need the password before you can enter the file section. If its easy to get pass it, it doesn't matter, they're my neighbors and I don't really have anything important on my comp except that file labeled XXX, just kidding.

Alex

 

[FreeFrag]

XanaThar; I paid $21.95 this month to connect ot my isp for Unlimited Download and Time. They are supposed to kick me off after 4 hours, yet I have been on for nearly 5 days straight and downloaded 1.5Gb over my 56K modem. Am i stealing from my ISP?

 

[moolman]

Yeah,
Now that the morality issue has been brought up, I think you are stealing, I'm calling the FBI, their gonna knock down your door and take away your kids and smash your modem.

Alex