[CVALE] Getting my Ubuntu Box out of the kitchen.

Sat Oct 10 20:03:22 PDT 2009

I've done this bridge method for my downstairs using an Asus WL-520GU
flashed with DD-WRT.  What I like about the Asus WL-520GU is that it has
a USB port on it which you can do printer sharing, or attach a usb-hard
drive (I cannot get it to do both at once).

Only downside I found is that it won't bridge IPv6 properly.  My
solution was to use IPv6-over-IPv4 tunnels for the PCs on the far side
of the bridge up to the IPv6-enabled Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 that is my
internet gateway and main AP upstairs.

I don't know about OpenWRT, but I imagine it can do the same, but a nice
feature with DD-WRT is that I have great QoS support for my Verizon
Wireless Network Extender (mini-cell site for my house), and the ability
to run BitTorrent 24/7 but put it at low-priority so no one else can
feel it at all.

Jason Roysdon

On 10/09/2009 03:50 PM, Patrick Bennett wrote:
> Landon,
> 
> Yes, the "L" probably stands for "linux" - it is Linksys's product id
> for their non-proprietary gnu-friendly version of their WRT54G router.
> 
> DD-WRT, like OpenWRT that Grant suggests, is a firmware replacement for
> many common off-the-shelf routers (like the Bufffalo brand G series
> routers - my preference - and the Linksys WRT54GL).  It enables vastly
> more capabilities into your router than comes from the mfg.  DD-WRT's
> website is here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/
> 
> I am not recommending you buy a router to replace your old router. 
> Instead, I am suggesting one solution to your problem of getting your
> Ubuntu box connected to your existing wireless router's network is to
> use a DD-WRT based piece of hardware, or any wireless appliance that
> support "bridge mode" or "bridging", to connect your Ubuntu boxes /wired
> ethernet port/ to your existing wireless router.  ie:
> 
> (INTERNET) --- (existing wrt54g)   ~~~{/wireless signal/}~~~ (new
> "router" in bridge mode) <--> (wired nic of ubuntu box)
> 
> This will solve your problem for in the neighborhood of 50 bucks /and/
> teach you a new trick. :-)
> 
>     -Patrick
> 
> 
> Landon Blake wrote:
>> Patrick,
>>
>> You wrote: "Is the version of ubuntu on this box recent?"
>>
>> I always update to the most recent version when it becomes available.
>>
>> You wrote: "I'd stick with the Buffalo G series routers or with the
>> Linksys WRT54GL (that L at the end is important - you'll probably have
>> to special order this one) to make your life simple."
>>
>> You wrote: "Navigating the compatibility charts of DD-WRT can be
>> complicated."
>>
>> I'm not sure what DD-WRT is. I will have to do some research.
>>
>> What is the difference between the WRT54G and the WRT54GL? Is the "L"
>> made especially for Linux?
>>
>> I really don't want to buy another router if I don't have to. It seems
>> the router I have is working fine, just not with my Ubuntu box. :] Is
>> there any way to determine if the problem is with the router, or with
>> the card?
>>
>> I'll also post my problem on an Ubuntu forum to see if they have ideas.
>> Thanks for the help.
>>
>> Landon
>> Office Phone Number: (209) 946-0268
>> Cell Phone Number: (209) 992-0658
>>  
>>  
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cvale-bounces at lists.fire2wire.com
>> [mailto:cvale-bounces at lists.fire2wire.com] On Behalf Of Patrick Bennett
>> Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 10:25 AM
>> To: cvale at cvale.org
>> Subject: Re: [CVALE] Getting my Ubuntu Box out of the kitchen.
>>
>> I'm not up on which wireless nics work and which don't, however I've had
>>
>> really good luck with Ubuntu "just working" when it comes to wireless, 
>> if not with the "free" drivers, then with the "non-free" ones. Is the 
>> version of ubuntu on this box recent?
>>
>> As an alternative, you could use a wireless bridge, which is to say a 
>> wireless-router-like piece of hardware that "converts" your ethernet nic
>>
>> to a wireless nic by plugging into your wired nic and "bridging" it to 
>> the wireless network. You could roll your own with a WRT54GL or Buffalo 
>> router flashed with DD-WRT or you could try to find one specifically 
>> labeled as a bridge (or having "bridge mode" - some of them are 
>> switchable between router, bridge, and other modes) at your local shop 
>> or online vendor.
>>
>> Navigating the compatibility charts of DD-WRT can be complicated.... I'd
>>
>> stick with the Buffalo G series routers or with the Linksys WRT54GL 
>> (that L at the end is important - you'll probably have to special order 
>> this one) to make your life simple.
>>
>> -Patrick
>>
>>
>> Landon Blake wrote:
>>   
>>> The house my wife and I bought last June only has two (2) phone jacks.
>>>     
>>
>>   
>>> There is one phone jack in the kitchen and one phone jack in the 
>>> master bedroom. (There is no phone jack in the office.) There was no 
>>> way my wife was letting me keep a computer in the bedroom, so it's 
>>> been in the kitchen for about 6 months. My other computer runs MS 
>>> Windows XP, and it connects to the internet via wireless router from 
>>> the office.
>>>
>>> I'm finally sick of seeing the Ubuntu box in the kitchen, so I've got 
>>> to find a way to get it connected to the net while in the office, 
>>> without installing another phone jack/phone line. Here is my network 
>>> set-up:
>>>
>>> Ubuntu Box Ethernet Controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4401-BO 
>>> 100Base-TC (Rev-02)
>>>
>>> Ubuntu Box Wireless Network Controller: Ralink RT2561/RT61 802.11G PCI
>>>
>>> Wireless Router: Linksys WRT54G
>>>
>>> I'm currently using WICD to connect to the wired internet on the 
>>> broadband box.
>>>
>>> Any suggestions on how I get the Ubuntu box to work with the wireless 
>>> router? I haven't been able to get it properly connected to the 
>>> wireless router with the Ralink network card. Is there another 
>>> affordable card that we know is supported by Ubuntu and would play 
>>> well with my Linksys router?
>>>
>>> As an alternative to going the wireless route with my Ubuntu box, I've
>>>     
>>
>>   
>>> got a wired Linksys Router that I am not using. How hard would it be 
>>> to connect my Ubuntu box to the Windows XP Box via the wired router 
>>> and connect to the internet through its wireless connection?
>>>
>>> I must warn you that I know just enough about networking to be really 
>>> dangerous.
>>>
>>> Thanks for any suggestions.
>>>
>>> Landon
>>>
>>>     
> 
> 
> 
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