Turn Win 7 PC into Wireless Router

[wbynum]

Can anyone recommend the best software to turn a Win 7 x64 PC into a wireless router? My trusty Linksys WRT54G with dd-wrt is on it's last leg. My HTPC runs 24x7 so I was thinking just turn it into a WIFI router/AP instead of buying a new router. I have ordered the below USB adapter, which has great reviews and is high powered:

Alfa AWUS036H: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QYGNKQ

Any gotchas with this? The only two "advanced" things I need to work are the following:

1. Need gaming PC to be able to connect to the HTPC through wired ethernet. The HTPC mb has two ethernet ports. So the cable modem would connect to one port and the PC to the other port. The PC would need to route through the NAT on the HTPC.

2. I have a few virtual machines running under Virtual Box on the HTPC. These would need to bridge to the NAT. How do I accomplish this? Normally with Virtual Box you select a physical connection for the guest OS bridge.

Any pointers or software recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Nothinman]

I don't have any specific software advice for you, but Windows doesn't deal well with being multihomed. You would be much better off replacing the WRT54G with another DD-WRT capable router.

 

[JackMDS]

Beside the fact that running a computer as a Router is a waste of money (if it runs 24/7 in short time the electrical bill might be more than buying a New Router).

In any case if you insist, you need on the computer a wire Network Card to connect to the modem and a Wireless card that turns into an Access Point with this free software.

http://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/


😎

 

[ericloewe]

Just get a new router. If anything, you could perhaps run DD-WRT (or some other router distro) virtualized, with a very good Wi-Fi adapter with high-gain antennas...

In other words, it's complicated, will probably be slower, unreliable and maybe even more expensive than a new router.

 

[bradley]

This router right here gives you lots for very little money ($21.99,) especially if upgraded to DD-WRT or Tomato... much more cost efficient than a dedicated computer running as a virtual router.

http://www.expansys-usa.com/belkin-share-max-n300-wireless-n+router-231205/

 

[dealcorn]

If, as the OP stated, the PC is already on 24X7, the electricity costs for this set up may be lower than those of a separate wifi router. Is Internet Connection Sharing ("ICS") exactly what the OP is looking for?

 

[wbynum]

If, as the OP stated, the PC is already on 24X7, the electricity costs for this set up may be lower than those of a separate wifi router. Is Internet Connection Sharing ("ICS") exactly what the OP is looking for?

Exactly! PC is already running 24x7. So I figured why not take advantage of it. Also would be an interesting setup to mess with. The DD-WRT tip, running virtualized, is interesting. After some research last night it looks like DD-WRT and OpenWRT have x86 versions. DD-WRT x86 with wifi support cost money. OpenWRT x86 is free and seems to have better docs. Even found a README on how to mkae VM's on the same PC as the OpenWRT VM route through the OpenWRT VM. Very cool.

Now if anyone can tell me how to do wake on lan on the PC where it also wakes up all the VM's then I would be definitely open to that and to picking up a new stand alone router.

 

[bradley]

I personally don't run my HTPC 24/7; it's in sleep/hibernate mode when not recording, playing or updating. The HTPC is dedicated to being primarily an HTPC with emphasis on stability. In my scenario, running a virtual router over a dedicated logical router probably doesn't make as much sense. 🙂

 

[wbynum]

Yep, makes sense. I would like to let my HTPC sleep but having to run a couple VM's on it prevents that. I need to connect to the VM's from work. I have not found any way to make the VM's "wake on lan" when the PC wakes up. If someone knows, I would definitely be interested.

Concerning power concerns, my HTPC is about the most in-efficient it can get. It's a i7 machine that was previously used for folding. Even with that said, it only cost ~$10 per month to run 24x7.