Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:21:02 -0700 From: Sam Leffler <sam@freebsd.org> To: doug@polands.org Cc: freebsd-mobile@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Wireless access points: consumer, commercial, or DIY? Message-ID: <48875A6E.7040000@freebsd.org> In-Reply-To: <eae8cb0a0807230832w879999fj7e3001ce39fa0a0a@mail.gmail.com> References: <eae8cb0a0807230832w879999fj7e3001ce39fa0a0a@mail.gmail.com>
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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. In my home I > typically run 2 FreeBSD 7.x laptops, a Windows-based laptop, an iMac, and an > iPhone. My current WAP is a Linksys WAP54G and is a little over a year > old. As this device ages, it frequently locks up and drops connections. > This is evident on all the wireless devices I use. Prior to this WAP, I had > another WAP54G and it exhibited the same behavior, which is why I replaced > it. Prior to that WAP, I had a DLink that had issues. > > When I connect on a FreeBSD laptop, I'm typically connecting to my fast > desktop running XDMCP. In this environment, I'm particularly sensitive to > dropouts and connection issues between my WAP and mobile device. > > My current WAP54G is getting so unreliable that I cannot run remote X and be > productive, so I'm in the market to replace the Linksys WAP54G. I'm not > pleased with the experience's I've had at the consumer level. I'm not > well-informed about products on the commercial level, other than Cisco WAPs > are $500+. I've toyed with the idea of using an old PIII and turning it > into a WAP, or going with something like a Soekris net5501 and building my > own. > > 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? > > Stick to a commercial product if at all possible. In the wireless world you usually get what you pay for--cheapo residential devices will not make you happy. I've had reasonable luck with this device: http://www.netgate.com/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=385 and with Apple products. I use this stuff purely as an AP (e.g. no routing, dhcp, dns, nat, etc.) except for my TimeCapsule which services backups. Some folks speak glowingly of OpenWRT (linux-based wireless distro) but I have no personal experience. Sam
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