Wifi to network questions

beachcombersc

beachcombersc

New Member
May 7, 2007
576
Charleston S.C.
Boat Info
1999 3870
Engines
3116TA
I am attemting to design a network system that will be easy to run, and be flexible for my guests while aboard.

While at my slip, I have a weak wifi signal that I wish to attain with an exterior mounted marine grade wifi antenna. From that point I want to be able to take that device which is locked into that signal and connect multiple things, some via wifi(new network name)and some hard wired. I wish to limit/simplify the number of devices doing this capturing/splitting/resending wifi.

While at my slip this setup should be able to automatically lock into my weak wifi signal as the top preferred signal. Then while away, I want it to lock into my 4G access point which I carry all the time. I am able to stream via my 4G just fine, I just want to limit this use while at the slip.

Regardless of which signal the main antenna is locked into, I want the device or devices to be broadcasting in a new secure name so that all the other on board wifi devices are always looking for just one signal, the strong one 15 feet away...

One of the issues I keep finding is most of the wifi antennas are USB, which means I need to run my on-board computer. This complicates things for sure...

Hardwired
Multiple blu ray streaming devices
Net cams
Xbox 360
On board computer
Etc...

Wifi
Streaming music devices
Laptops
Electronic readers
I pads
Etc...


Thanks everyone!
 
Look up 4 Sons. He did a full network on his boat. That should give you some good ideas.




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His antenna is very nice, but requires a USB to computer connection. I'm looking to have the wifi setup not run by a computer. Just some hardware.

On that note, the computer will end up being integrated into all the video/audio/security system.

Thanks!
 
Are you trying to associate to an existing wifi signal that's weak, repeat it and then broadcast the ssid to your boat passengers?

To do that you'll need a bridge either with two antennas internally (to repeat and then rebroadcast the signal). That also means that the transmitting ap might need to be modified as well to associate to the bridge.

In the set up I described you won't be able to change the ssid because all you're doing is repeating an existing transmission.

Limiting the association again might be a trick unless the bridge (if that's what you're trying to do) has the capability to block (or filter) at the MAC level. Typically that's done at the AP side and not the bridge side, but not always. Depends on the manufacturer.
 
DaleM said:
Are you trying to associate to an existing wifi signal that's weak, repeat it and then broadcast the ssid to your boat passengers?

.
Click to expand...


Mostly I want all the other on board equipment to always look for just one signal, and not have ten devices roaming to find a signal. There would be the added bonus for guests as well.

Yes, I want to rename the SSID.

It also has to be able to have hardwired network capabilities remember. I want the streaming content to get all that it can.
 
beachcombersc said:
His antenna is very nice, but requires a USB to computer connection. I'm looking to have the wifi setup not run by a computer. Just some hardware.

On that note, the computer will end up being integrated into all the video/audio/security system.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think you were looking at my first attempt at wifi stuff... I redid it a few years ago... and it is exactly what you are asking for:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30047&highlight=wifi

You basically need a rogue wave wifi server that acts as an ethernet bridge and have it fail over to your cell modem when wifi is not available...

A Cradlepoint MBR1200 router does that (and acts as a N access point and 4 port hardwired switch).

Read the thread... it's worthwhile... We used it a lot last summer and it worked like a charm...

and here's a network schematic:

FourSunsNetwork.jpg
 
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I have done the same thing you are wanting to do at my house. But it would be directly applicable to your boat.

As Gary mentioned, the cradlepoint routers are one way. But if you don't want to go that route, look at this site: http://www.dd-wrt.com .
DD-WRT is a firmware upgrade for a typical home router. Download it, install it on a compatible router and you can do any number of things with it.

Here's my setup. I have a Verizon 3G Mifi which has WiFi. I have a Linksys router with DD-WRT that I have configured as a wireless
bridge to that device. The the MiFi has a connection to the internet. The Linksys router is wirelessly bridged to that device. I have 4 wired
computers plugged into the router, and I also have a laptop that connects to the router. When guests visit, they too connect their laptops
to the router.

I'm limited to 5 wireless devices on the MiFi but since only the Linksys router is talking to the Mifi, it only sees one connection.

Now if I were to replace the MiFi with something else, it would automatically work as long as the IP address of the gateway was the
same to communicate with.

I had a similiar scenario when I had WildBlue satellite internet. A had one Linksys router with the satellite modem plugged into the WAN port.
That was bridged to another Linksys router 300ft away to enable wired and wireless clients on that router.
 
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