Is there such thing as a wireless router that can act as a client?

[Red Squirrel]

Say I setup a hot spot with my phone, is there such thing as a wireless device/router that will act as a client, and wirelessly connect to said hotspot, and use that as the WAN?

I have a Linux system at my church that I'm setting up, but any time I realize I need to install something I need to haul the whole machine home which is kind of a pain. If I could somehow have it use my data then I could at least install packages and what not. There is already a router so just need something that would plug into the wan port. Is there such thing?

 

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833389039

These travel routers will do just that, using "WISP" (Wireless WAN) mode. I just picked up two of these, and I'm using one with a Sprint MiFi hotspot. I paid $6 shipped, but they're up to $15 US now.

Edit: Or any cheap older router that will run DD-WRT or Tomato.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Cool, I was expecting it to be like $99 in Canada because we usually get screwed here, but it's still only $17. I think I'm going to get it. Guessing it acts as a router and I just connect to the IP to configure it like any other router?

 

[ch33zw1z]

Any old wireless router with ddwrt or tomato, client bridge mode

 

[Red Squirrel]

Any old wireless router with ddwrt or tomato, client bridge mode

If I do that will the wireless be able to also provide wireless, or is it one or the other? We already have a Dlink router that I could experiment with. The password won't work to get in despite trying to reset it, so I'll need to blow away the firmware either way. Just have not played with it much.

 

[ch33zw1z]

One or the other with client bridge mode.

Of course, setting up another WAP hanging off the back off it is an option, and a good one

Even if it's a semi permanent setup, not crushing the phone with multiple clients is a good idea.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Cool I think I'll definitly go with that stand alone device. Of course I would only set it up on a "as needed" basis. Will my ISP have any way of knowing I'm tethering vs using directly? I've heard they have ways of knowing the difference and charge more for tethering. I have 750MB of data so I will ensure to avoid going over that.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Not 100% sure they can tell, do ISP's care? The hotpot feature is built in to stock OS for me.

I run a VPN on my phone pretty much 24x7, it's an option if you're concerned.

Any client on the network can do the same.

 

[iamgenius]

What's up with your signature Red Squirrel ? Are you really using that? ^_^ You made me smile. Maaaaaaaaan, good old times !

 

[Red Squirrel]

Haha no it's just there as a joke. I should change it to a Univac system or something to be even more elaborate.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I got the Netis the other day and tested it out, and does pretty much what I need. I was able to access internet on a laptop by plugging into it and then setting it up to connect to my phone's wifi hot spot. I even performed a Firefox update for shits and giggles to see how stable it was and it was very stable. This is going to come in handy. Have not tried it at the church yet, but I imagine it will work as I expect after my test.

Just have to watch out as it would not take much to go over my data limit.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The firmware on the Netis device is pretty wonky, though. Leave it running and connected for a while, you'll start to see Chinese characters in the firmware screens, and stuff will be missing, etc. Reboot, and it will be back to normal.