NAT with 1 WAN and 2 LAN(1 Wireless) possible?

[Dyngoe]

Hi Y'all,

I'm thinking about adding wireless to my house. Currently I have a Dell Optiplex running NAT, DHCP, DNS etc..... basically my firewall through CAT5. Today I get a mailer from our local PC shop with a blowout price on wireless cards for PCs. I already have a wireless in my lappy and my friends have them in theirs. I've linked these before, but I was wondering if I could add a wireless card to my Optiplex and run NAT through it as well as my CAT5 connection. The only reason for this and not buying a router is I need a wireless card for my garage PC anyway and it's ridiculously cheaper than a router with card setup. Thanks in advance.

As Always,
D

 

[spyordie007]

Sure it's possible, I actually did this for a while at home. A wireless network like that is called "ad-hoc" and I wasnt able to get it working with encryption so I disabled DHCP and only allowed TCP/IP connections from a very limited subnet (so I could at least use the internet connection).

Make sure you are using decent routing software since many of the cheaper ones (such as ICS) dont allow for more than two interfaces.

-Spy

 

[Dyngoe]

OK, and thank you. So it is "POSSIBLE", which I actually assumed but one never knows with Microsoft. Now, the next question is are the PCs on the one LAN connection(CAT5) going to be able to file share and game with the laptop/PC on the other connection(Wireless)? I'm running Win2K server with more bells and wistles than a gay pride parade, so I should have the software. Thanks in advance.

As Always,
D

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Dyngoe
Now, the next question is are the PCs on the one LAN connection(CAT5) going to be able to file share and game with the laptop/PC on the other connection(Wireless)?

In theory that "may" be possible, however I was never able to get it working. For that I would reccomend picking up a WAP, if you keep your eyes on hot deals now you should be able to find one for pretty cheap.

-Spy

 

[spyordie007]

here is the first example I came across.

It shouldnt be hard to find yourself a decent (home use) wap for less than $75.

-Spy

 

[Dyngoe]

Thank you again. Obviously a WAP or a wireless hub/switch behind my NAT would be the easiest, but the store around the corner bought up a dot.gone companie's assets and they are selling PCI wireless cards for $10 out the door(and Yes, they are b, not a or f standeard cards).Since I already wanted one for my PC in the garage, I figured I could spend my day off trying to get the NAT working on my laptop and then on the garage PC. If it all works, I spent only $20. If it doesn't, I learn a little more about my PCs and I sell one of the cards on EBay for $25. So, I'd love any suggestions. Thank you.

As Always,
D

 

[spyordie007]

Okay here is info about the way I had it setup:

Win 2K Server
Kerio Winroute Pro
Linksys Wireless NIC
2x LAN NICs (cat 5)

Set the wireless nic up as an "Ad-Hoc" network (likewise on my laptop) and hardcoded the IPs on both. I was not running encryption, whenever I enabled encryption the connection ceesed working so I disabled all but TCP/IP on that Interface on the server and also my laptop.

That gave me an internet connection, but no file sharing whatsoever. Another important thing to note is that since it was an Ad-Hoc network it wouldnt run faster than 2Mbps, this may not be an issue for you but since I have a 3Mbps cable line it was disapointing that the bottleneck was my wireless network rather than the internet connection (not that it really matters, but still worth noting).

-Spy