I need a small wifi 'switch' (Access point/router)?

Scougar

Scougar

Scougar

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I need small self contained device that will although two or more mobile phones to act like they are on a wifi lan. So.. a wifi router? I do NOT need access to the web, but I need it to be cheap and small, and preferably without an antenna showing (so it's not obviously a wireless device). It must NOT rely on being plugged into a computer to work.

I was thinking something like this might work: ** OPPS.. sorry OCUK.. was drinking.. wasn't thinkin ***

Would certainly fit the critera of small an conceable, and could be potentially powered from a small battery pack I already have.

It's that.. OR I was thinking I could possible use a old windows mobile phone (6.5) as an access point with "WMWifiRouter" on it, but I don't know if that will work (So both phones see themselves as being on a wlan).
 
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bremen1874 said:
Firstly loose the competitor link.

TP-Link 150Mbps Wireless-N Nano Router (TL-WR702N) [TL-WR702N] could be an option. It's powered via a USB port so it wouldn't be very difficult to make portable.

I received mine this morning and it's a very neat device.
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D'oh, thanks bremen.. have just come back from the pub, so buzzing a little bit, wasn't thinking. Ta :cool:

1) This is definately able to connect multiple devices together (i.e. several mobile phones to see each other), without there being a WAN present?
2) This can definately act as a DHCP server WITHOUT being hooked up to a PC (I.e. just a power source).

If so, looks like I might have a winner! :-D
 
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Scougar said:
D'oh, thanks bremen.. have just come back from the pub, so buzzing a little bit, wasn't thinking. Ta :cool:

1) This is definately able to connect multiple devices together (i.e. several mobile phones to see each other), without there being a WAN present?
2) This can definately act as a DHCP server WITHOUT being hooked up to a PC (I.e. just a power source).

If so, looks like I might have a winner! :-D
Click to expand...

It ticks the boxes. ;)
 
Scougar said:
D'oh, thanks bremen.. have just come back from the pub, so buzzing a little bit, wasn't thinking. Ta :cool:

1) This is definately able to connect multiple devices together (i.e. several mobile phones to see each other), without there being a WAN present?
2) This can definately act as a DHCP server WITHOUT being hooked up to a PC (I.e. just a power source).

If so, looks like I might have a winner! :-D
Click to expand...

It defaults to acting as an AP.

It can also be configured into the following working modes...

  • Router (DHCP server is there)
  • Repeater
  • Bridge
  • Client
 
TP-Link as above, or something else?

I'd be swayed by things such as it having a hidden SSID for example, but it must support multiple devices that can see each other.
 
Scougar said:
TP-Link as above, or something else?

I'd be swayed by things such as it having a hidden SSID for example, but it must support multiple devices that can see each other.
Click to expand...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-058-TP

Yeah that, i've even tried DD-WRT on it as well!

I want to use it on my WD nas that i can then hide away some place safe and cool and wifi into my network. Not sure what mode i need for it.

TP-Link is good stuff
 
TP-Link is cheaper manufacturer I thought? (A bit like Aiwa were to home stereo's back in the day) ?

You positive that's the same model number as your's?

I'm sold.. come end of month.. it will be mine! lol. (I'll prob try WMWifiRouter as well.. because I'm like that lol).
 
Scougar said:
TP-Link is cheaper manufacturer I thought? (A bit like Aiwa were to home stereo's back in the day) ?

You positive that's the same model number as your's?

I'm sold.. come end of month.. it will be mine! lol. (I'll prob try WMWifiRouter as well.. because I'm like that lol).
Click to expand...

TP-LINK cheap. nah TEDEL there chineses cousin uncle spin off yes.

Tp-Link is built soild. it works, i've had good resuts with all there kit!
 
I'm getting a reasonable signal 6-7 metres away on the same storey through internal walls, and 5-6 metres straight line from upstairs to downstairs. I haven’t played with the positioning to see if it’ll get any further, it’s just sat on my office shelf. It’s set to 20MHz channel width at the moment.
 
I got it all setup last night as a cilent

I've given my WD MyworldBook a static IP. This way i can find it on the network forcefully and all the time.

The TP-LINK TL-WR702N i have set as a client and links via WIFI to my TP-LINK TL-WA801ND AP, this then is linked to my NETGEAR DG834 via a CAT6 cable.

I have the TL-WR702N powered via the WD's USB port. It's kicking out a full 150mbps, the WD is supper happy powering it via USB. I've transfered 20GB as a soild file with no dropout! Stream HD content.

Seeing how it's working i've now moved my NAS over to the garage so it's cooler, not in the house to be heard (im too use to SSD's), i've less clutter, just a mains plug for the nas!

My workshop/garage is a good 20m away if not more, it has a soild masonary wall too pass, 2 internal walls that are a mix of timber, metal frame and plasterbord. There is also i guess technicly a floor to pass through with a lot of cable and pipe work. The AP has std aerials as well!

I also played with a switch, a 24 port! I tried my best to get the hardwear i could on the switch which was 5 laptops, 2 tv's, 2 sky boxes, 3 pc's, nas, raspbery pi and it all worked at the same time :). I only did a quick test but it all streamed off the web at the same time!

Hope some of this helps. Oh i also poped the lid on the TL-WR702N and it's tiny, the box is thicker than what needs to be! A open box may be on the cards
 
It manages to stream HD content at that distance through all that? Blimey. (and with no external aerial/antenna!)
 
Scougar said:
It manages to stream HD content at that distance through all that? Blimey. (and with no external aerial/antenna!)
Click to expand...

Yep. The TL-WA801ND kicks out at 100Mw (20dBm) and currently has 2 stock 4 dbi aerials. I can pick that up 400m away with an iPhone 4 and stream 720P off it perfectly fine! I have 2 15dbi omni's here yet to fit to the AP

http://uk.tp-link.com/products/details/?categoryid=217&model=TL-ANT2415D

I also have this on order just too boost some more......

Item number: 170783947017

Belive the 15dbi gives me around about 1400m on 54g, i've 2 for a MIMO 300mbps (each runs at 150mbps) so that will go up some.

I'll get some photo latter when im home of the gubbing of the smal tp think! I think you could mod it for small directional bowtie perhaps or something
 
lol, you don't do things by half either do you!

Also, I noticed the TL-WR703N which includes 3G dongle compatibility, and has double the ram, and double the flash space (4mb ram, 32mb flash) so you can run Open-wrt on it :-) (Please note: It is likely this model to be in chinese unless you find a european or US version (I'm not sure there is a european version yet).
 
Scougar said:
lol, you don't do things by half either do you!

Also, I noticed the TL-WR703N which includes 3G dongle compatibility, and has double the ram, and double the flash space (4mb ram, 32mb flash) so you can run Open-wrt on it :-) (Please note: It is likely this model to be in chinese unless you find a european or US version (I'm not sure there is a european version yet).
Click to expand...

Yeah EU version is out, have one sat in work. It's got that much due to specs required under the 3G polava. Open-WRT and DD-WRT semi simualr and run on both!

Ah no point in being borning, gotta have a play about init!
 
Decided to get the TL-WR703N in the end. As mentioned it has double the memory (RAM and Flash) and the possibility to have a 3G dongle attached. Downside is, it's in chinese lol. Should be fun :-D Just a matter of waiting for it to turn up now. Should go nicely with the 13000mah battery lol.

Only downside I can see is the european version has a hardware switch to select different modes, but I wasn't prepared to pay 3 times as much for that feature.

All I need to do now is have some form of drive connected to it, and I'll hopefully have a little device that is completely unplugged from the works equipment but offering entertainment and sharing :-)
 
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