[ale] Ultra-cheap wireless gear - slightly [OT]

[DJ-Pfulio]

It really needs to be CAT5e, not CAT5.  REALLY, REALLY, REALLY.


On 09/14/2017 12:10 AM, Beddingfield, Allen wrote:
> It looks like this is going to be the route I go, at least until they
> can get funds for a better solution.  Hopefully that will occur this
> winter.  There will only be about three wireless-only printers and 10-12
> other devices.  Hopefully this will get them by for now.  I've had a
> couple of generous offers of equipment from the list (Thanks!) and a
> couple more from co-workers, and I have a switch and the CAT5.
> 
> Thanks for all the help, guys.  I will give you an update when we get it
> all hooked up.
> 
> Thanks.
> Allen B.
> 
> On 9/13/17 1:07 PM, Horkan Smith wrote:
>> FWIW, I've had good success w/ cheap routers (DLink, ASUS, Netgear,
>> etc.) by either putting 'em into bridging mode (if supported), or by
>> disabling the built-in DHCP and leaving the WAN port empty - I use one
>> of the LAN ("inside") ports to chain to my network.  Sometimes I'll
>> use the same SSID & password (but different channel), sometimes I'll
>> mix it up for routing or testing reasons.
>>
>> I suspect this setup will show some cracks w/ larger numbers of
>> clients - it's rare that I've had to run more than 10 devices at once
>> this way.  If you can get the better gear, do that.  If you can't,
>> this'll likely work.
>>
>> later!
>>      horkan
>>
>> On Wed, Sep 13, 2017 at 05:13:01AM +0000, Beddingfield, Allen wrote:
>>> This is an impoverished shoe-string budget project.  I am helping
>>> with the IT "stuff" at a community center in a small town nearby. 
>>> They are in an OLD cement block schoolhouse.  They have a single
>>> CenturyLink 25mbs connection in an office in the center of the
>>> building (the only ISP and highest speed available).  The wireless
>>> does not penetrate those walls well, so it sucks if you get more than
>>> a couple of offices away.  The building is laid out as such that 3
>>> access points should cover it adequately.  I'm thinking of running a
>>> single CAT5 to an unmanaged 100MB switch in the middle of the
>>> building,running the runs of CAT5 from there to the optimal places
>>> for access points, and connecting up some cheap/consumer grade access
>>> points there.  (Naming them "EAST-WIFI", "MIDDLE-WIFI", "WEST-WIFI",
>>> etc..).
>>> Question:  It seems that dumb access points are harder to come by and
>>> more expensive than routers. Do any of you have an recommendations
>>> for just an access point (keep in mind, I need CHEAP), or for a
>>> router that is known to work well in access point mode?  (Keep in
>>> mind, I'm looking at sub-$30 wifi routers on NewEgg and trying to
>>> remember what was on the shelf at the thrift store at this point).
>>> Any recommendations on cobbling this together on the cheap?  I need
>>> either a good access point, or a router that I can easily put in
>>> access point mode.
>>> FYI, performance is not much of a concern.  The kids won't be using
>>> this, it will just be for a few staff computers. Main issue is
>>> reliability.  I am about 20miles away, and their on-site technical
>>> ability is low.
>>> Alternatively, any opinions on wireless repeaters?
>>> -- 
>>> Allen Beddingfield
>>> Systems Engineer
>>> Office of Information Technology
>>> The University of Alabama
>>> Office 205-348-2251
>>> allen at ua.edu
>>>
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>>
> 


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