Can a wireless card be turned into an access point

[alchemist]

Is there anyway that an 802.11b wireless card can be turned into an access point if hooked up to a computer with wired ethernet. I mean you can make a router out of a 486 and two nics, so what about the wireless cards, is there any way to do that?

 

[sohcrates]

I *thought* i read somewhere that you can communicate wirelessly from wireless card to wireless card.


It would seem doable, assuming you made the workgroups the same...though you might have to edit the lmhosts file to map IP's.

Anyone ever tried this?

 

[Nothinman]

It would depend on if there's software for it, I know Linux can do this with just about any wireless card it supports but have no idea about Windows.

 

[JackMDS]

Two Wireless cards can converse adequately. Most cards? software let you choose between Infra Structure, and Ad-Hoc Mode.

Infrastructure = Card to Access Point.

Ad-Hoc = Card to Card.

In case of Internet sharing with a Router, Ad-hoc (card to card) will drop the receiving card out of the Sharing loop, and additional Nat software will be required.

 

[alchemist]

so its going to be a PITA to do cheaply. I was hoping i could just buy a PCI or USB card for my home PC and turn it into an access point for my laptop, oh well I guess i just have to drag the wire everywhere....unless i find an easy solution or spend too much money on an access point

 

[Eug]

<< Can a wireless card be turned into an access point >>


Essentially yes, but it's easier and minimally more expensive to just buy an access point, since good wireless cards aren't that cheap. Plus you don't have to have the computer on all the time if you have a real access point.

Or if you're planning on getting a router, just get one with wireless built in.

 

[alchemist]

Well I have two routers at home right now...only using one of them...D-Link, wich is hooked into a switch next to my cluster of computers. I was hoping i could get away with out an acess point, but i guess it just doesnt look like thats going to happen.

 

[sohcrates]

<< Well I have two routers at home right now...only using one of them...D-Link, wich is hooked into a switch next to my cluster of computers. I was hoping i could get away with out an acess point, but i guess it just doesnt look like thats going to happen. >>



Well, according to JackMDS it can be down w/out too much trouble...what's wrong with his suggestion? You're only out the cost of a USB wireless NIC

Otherwise, sell the router and put the cash towards a wireless router (or access point)

 

[alchemist]

I just need to learn how to do it...but i dont want to mess up the VPN my laptop is set up for so, and configuring it for ad hock, might do just that

 

[sohcrates]

<< I just need to learn how to do it...but i dont want to mess up the VPN my laptop is set up for so, and configuring it for ad hock, might do just that >>



so is your laptop used at work with an access point? and you're just trying to use it at home too?

I hear where you're coming from...but the ad-hoc versus infrastructure switch really shouldn't affect any of your VPN settings (at least permanently)...it's worth a shot IMHO

 

[JackMDS]

You probably think that the difference between WAP (Wireless Access Point) and Wireless Client Card is a lot of money, since you see some "El Cheappos" PCMCIA cards offered for $50 or less.

In reality, to put a Wireless Client Card into the Desktop, you need either a PCMCIA card with PCI Adaptor ($40), or a USB client Card. Either of these cards has to of good quality to maintain a reliable connection.

So, it is really a difference between spending about $90 -$100 on a desktop client, or to find a WAP on sale for about $120. (Hold off on the brew and or the Whopper, and you make the difference in no time).

 

[alchemist]

yeah, i've got acess at school through a WAP, and just want the same connectivity at home....i'm using an IBM cheapy card i bought for 50$. Guess i should hold off and buy a WAP then....i eventually would like multiple connections for friends.