Baslinux mailing list

[James Miller <jamtat AT mailsnare.net>]

On Wed, Dec 06, 2006 at 11:28:33PM +0000, sindi keesan wrote:
> 
> That sounds helpful.  So it picks up a wireless signal and distributes it 
> to four computers.  Does one always need to be on for the others to get 
> the signal?  I should read more about this.

Think of the WRT54G as a miniature Linux computer dedicated to routing and 
NAT'ing. As long as 
the WRT54G is powered on, it's doing it's routing/NAT'ing job. Doesn't matter 
what other 
computers on the LAN are powered on or not. Again, I presume it could perform 
such a function, 
but I have no personal expereince with it.

> First we will try to get a free linux-compatible PCMCIA wireless card.

Good luck. Wireless NIC's are still a generally sought-after item, so not 
many are being 
unloaded. Especially PCMCIA ones. Then, the chances that any still-working 
unloaded ones are 
going to work with Linux are 50-50 at best. Wireless support under Linux, 
though continuing to 
improve, is still quite spotty. Look for an old Orinoco bronze card, since 
they're well 
supported, even back into the 2.2.x kernel series, I believe. They don't do 
encryption and 
only promise 2mbps speeds, but it should work for picking up a nearby signal 
for distributing 
into your LAN. Even that speed is going to be a heck of alot faster than 
dialup.

James