From owner-freebsd-mobile@FreeBSD.ORG Wed Jul 23 20:26:48 2008 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-mobile@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 7B192106564A for ; Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:26:48 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from lambert@lambertfam.org) Received: from sysmon.tcworks.net (sysmon.tcworks.net [65.66.76.4]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 535B48FC13 for ; Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:26:48 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from lambert@lambertfam.org) Received: from sysmon.tcworks.net (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by sysmon.tcworks.net (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id m6NKDoG6046315 for ; Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:13:50 -0500 (CDT) (envelope-from lambert@lambertfam.org) Received: (from lambert@localhost) by sysmon.tcworks.net (8.13.1/8.13.1/Submit) id m6NKDo7x046314 for freebsd-mobile@freebsd.org; Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:13:50 -0500 (CDT) (envelope-from lambert@lambertfam.org) X-Authentication-Warning: sysmon.tcworks.net: lambert set sender to lambert@lambertfam.org using -f Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:13:50 -0500 From: Scott Lambert To: freebsd-mobile@freebsd.org Message-ID: <20080723201350.GA25560@sysmon.tcworks.net> Mail-Followup-To: freebsd-mobile@freebsd.org References: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline In-Reply-To: User-Agent: Mutt/1.4.2.2i Subject: Re: Wireless access points: consumer, commercial, or DIY? X-BeenThere: freebsd-mobile@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: Mobile computing with FreeBSD List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:26:48 -0000 On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 10:32:07AM -0500, Doug Poland wrote: > Hello, > > I'm a long-time FreeBSD user (servers, desktops, laptops) and have lately > become disillusioned with the quality of consumer WAPs. > > I want reliable wireless in my home. So what do I need to do, to get it? > I'm not convinced there's a low-cost solution. If I have to go up to > commercial quality and spend near $500, I could build my own Soekris > net5501-based WAP and use FreeBSD 7.x. for $100 less. > > What are your thoughts, experiences, and/or recommendations? If you do go the homebrew route, be sure to check out www.pfSense.org. I've not used it as a WAP, yet, but it makes a dandy embedded FreeBSD/pf router. There are several small form factor boards you can use to do this. Using the Soekris/other SBC setup would probably save you money long term versus just putting it on a PIII. But you could see if that general idea works for you on a spare PIII before deciding to spend the real money. -- Scott Lambert KC5MLE Unix SysAdmin lambert@lambertfam.org