Arch Linux

zacariaz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2012-01-18

Posts: 539

[Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

In short, the router is out of (wireless) range and cannot be moved, and there's no suitable spot for an extender either. All I've got, which have worked quite nicely for me until now, is an ethernet cable, which I can use to connect via DHCP, or in any other way for that matter, as I do have access to configure the router as I see fit.

So I've been looking around for a suitable product, but there're billions of different types of devices, brands and models, and quite frankly I cannot figure it out. Yes I know, as a reasonable intelligent guy I should be able to, but embarrassing though it may be, I need help.

There must be a product which you can simply connect to the ethernet cable and power on, after which everything is handy dandy, except I may need to set up SSID and password, which shouldn't be a problem, but as of yet I have not been able to find said device, at least no involving any certainty on my part.

Now, I suspect I eventually will figure this out on my own, but I really could use some advice, not least because I'd like to have a solution up and running ASAP, so if you got any to give, I'll be listening intently, and as always...

Best regards.

Last edited by zacariaz (2015-06-26 19:00:56)

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I am a philosopher, of sorts, not a troll or an imbecile.
My apologies that this is not always obvious, despite my best efforts.

drcouzelis

Member

From: Connecticut, USA

Registered: 2009-11-09

Posts: 4,092

Website

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

I'm confused. Are you asking which wireless router to buy?

zacariaz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2012-01-18

Posts: 539

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

I'm confused. Are you asking which wireless router to buy?

No. Though I would welcome advice in that regard, I suspect that is not allowed on the forum.

But seriously, why would I want a router? I don't need to rout anything. It's more some like "convert" I need. If I had an old router lying around, I might give it a go, but I don't

I suspect what I need is some sort of access point, but I haven't the slightest clue what I need.

Perhaps this is a stupid question to post, but I seriously don't know what to do.

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I am a philosopher, of sorts, not a troll or an imbecile.
My apologies that this is not always obvious, despite my best efforts.

WorMzy

Administrator

From: Scotland

Registered: 2010-06-16

Posts: 12,611

Website

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

There must be a product which you can simply connect to the ethernet cable and power on, after which everything is handy dandy

What, exactly are you trying to do?

Perhaps give this a read.

No. Though I would welcome advice in that regard, I suspect that is not allowed on the forum.

Correct. If this degenerates into a product recommendation thread, it will be moved to TGN.

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Making lemonade from lemons since 2015.

zacariaz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2012-01-18

Posts: 539

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

There must be a product which you can simply connect to the ethernet cable and power on, after which everything is handy dandy

What, exactly are you trying to do?

Perhaps give this a read.

Connection to the internet without needing to use a cable or buy an expensive router which is a pain to set up from what I've heard.

I'll give it a read. Thanks.

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I am a philosopher, of sorts, not a troll or an imbecile.
My apologies that this is not always obvious, despite my best efforts.

nixpunk

Member

Registered: 2009-11-23

Posts: 271

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

If an extender/repeater is not possible, perhaps a directional antenna would do the trick.

zacariaz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2012-01-18

Posts: 539

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

I think perhaps I've figured out what was so confusing, so let me just ask one last question, and depending on the answers, my small problem will be solved.

Assume I've got a router with no wireless capabilities (Standard DHCP setup), and a computer with wireless capabilities.

If go out and get the first and best device labeled "access point" with DHCP support.

Will I then have what I need to get wireless up and running?

@nixpunk
Don't think that would work.

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I am a philosopher, of sorts, not a troll or an imbecile.
My apologies that this is not always obvious, despite my best efforts.

drcouzelis

Member

From: Connecticut, USA

Registered: 2009-11-09

Posts: 4,092

Website

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

Assume I've got a router with no wireless capabilities (Standard DHCP setup), and a computer with wireless capabilities.

If go out and get the first and best device labeled "access point" with DHCP support.

Will I then have what I need to get wireless up and running?

Yes.

I think perhaps I've figured out what was so confusing

The thing that's so confusing is your method of "thinking out loud", lack of technical terms, and use of idioms. "...after which everything is handy dandy" doesn't tell me what you are trying to accomplish. And I'm still trying to figure out what "post-wireless dark ages" means.

zacariaz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2012-01-18

Posts: 539

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

The thing that's so confusing is your method of "thinking out loud", lack of technical terms, and use of idioms. "...after which everything is handy dandy" doesn't tell me what you are trying to accomplish. And I'm still trying to figure out what "post-wireless dark ages" means.

Well, technical terms are hard hard to use when you don't know them, like a foreign language. ;9

And agreed, the title ended out a bit weird.

Thanks.

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I am a philosopher, of sorts, not a troll or an imbecile.
My apologies that this is not always obvious, despite my best efforts.

nixpunk

Member

Registered: 2009-11-23

Posts: 271

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

Yeah, I was starting to wonder if this was some sort of troll post.  My advice would be learn more about the problem before you ask for help. 

zacariaz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2012-01-18

Posts: 539

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

Yeah, I was starting to wonder if this was some sort of troll post.  My advice would be learn more about the problem before you ask for help. 

I tried, but but I just didn't find anything useful. I probably took the wrong approach to my googling or whatever, but in any case it's nice to have it confirmed, so I don't have to fear getting the wrong solution. I don't have a lot of money, and can't really afford to make a wrong purchase.

Anyway, thanks again.

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I am a philosopher, of sorts, not a troll or an imbecile.
My apologies that this is not always obvious, despite my best efforts.

Buddlespit

Member

From: Chesapeake, Va.

Registered: 2014-02-07

Posts: 501

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

Most modems will have something you could connect to, be it an ethernet cable or a USB port. But you would only be able to connect one device to the modem and you would not have the benefit of a firewall. A router will allow multiple devices to connect and most routers have some sort of firewall. Most routers also have wireless access, so your phone will be able to connect.

Your internet provider might have routers you could "rent" from them if cost is an issue. Or you might know someone who, like me, has a box full of old routers and modems.

You can also build a router/wireless access point using old hardware. I did this once, great learning experience.

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Hw-Probe

zacariaz

Member

From: Denmark

Registered: 2012-01-18

Posts: 539

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

Most modems will have something you could connect to, be it an ethernet cable or a USB port. But you would only be able to connect one device to the modem and you would not have the benefit of a firewall. A router will allow multiple devices to connect and most routers have some sort of firewall. Most routers also have wireless access, so your phone will be able to connect.

Your internet provider might have routers you could "rent" from them if cost is an issue. Or you might know someone who, like me, has a box full of old routers and modems.

You can also build a router/wireless access point using old hardware. I did this once, great learning experience.

The problem is that it's not actually my internet connection. I live in a rented room, and there are thus certain complications.

In any case, I think I know what I need now, but first I'm waiting to hear back from a friend who may have an old router I can get for free, and if so, I'll try to get that up and running.

Alternatively I also have a very old eeepc in pieces which may be possible to convert, but I don't think I'll go quite that far.

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I am a philosopher, of sorts, not a troll or an imbecile.
My apologies that this is not always obvious, despite my best efforts.

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,350

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

Take a look on ebay.  You can pick up a router for a few USD / Euro.  If you do some research, you could find one that you could load up with openWRT or DD-WRT and have a real nice what-ever-you-want-it-to-be (router/AP/repeater) Linux box for very little expenditure.

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Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. -- Alan Turing
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How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

anthillsocial

Member

Registered: 2013-02-18

Posts: 136

Re: [Solved] Moving out of the post-wireless dark ages - Need advice

To summarize.
- You have access to a router (not yours) with no wifi.
- You have a computer with wifi.
- You can't change the router because it's not yours.
- You can't run an ethernet cable because it's in another room.

If I understand correctly (and boy are your messages difficult to follow!) then it sounds like you need an "ethernet to wifi adapter" so you can plug it directly into your friends/neighbours router and it would provide wifi access for you.

Tom