Wireless Network Access Point (WNAP) Set Up Guide

or: How To Set Up a TWCN Node

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7. Type III "Do it yourself"

This set up is aimed at all the geeks out there, and makes the assumption you more-or-less know what's what. If you haven't already done so, please read the Components and Definitions page and familiarize yourself with those terms. Furthermore, you may wish to consult the Type I and TypeType II WNAP pages which explain certain procedures in greater detail.

Pictorial Representation of Type III WNAP

In the center of the diagram above, there is an icon that represents the server you're going to build. It's envisioned to be providing your network with firewalling, routing, and whatever other functionality and services you desire. Connected to the left side of the server icon is a cloud that represents your Internet connection (modem, DSL equipment, cable company equipment, etc). To the right of the server icon is a connecting line with multiple offshoots (the typical Ethernet representation) that represents your network cables and Ethernet ports. Also attached to the server on the right hand side of the diagram is an icon of an antenna, representing the physical antennas, etc. of the wireless LAN

Devices in this category

This set up basically comprises of a host, a PCI or PCMCIA 802.11b wireless card, an external antenna, and optionally an amplifier. No single devices exist in this category, and as a result the composition is limited only by your imagination.

Set up

This sort of set up is fairly difficult if you're a beginner to computing. Advanced computer users wishing to set up such a system should follow these basic steps.

• Set up a host with at least one functioning ethernet card.
• Ensure you can connect to your ISP using that host.
• Add a wireless card (PCI or PCMCIA).
• Set up some Firewalling to perform some basic NAT.
• Test to ensure another wireless host can connect and use your network/Internet.
• Purchase and set up an external antenna (with or without amplification) (see Appendix A for additional information).

If you are employed as a systems or network administrator, you should be able to set up this type of of a WNAP with ease. However, there's no reason any computer literate person couldn't set one of these up either. Go to it, and while you're at it, help us create some platform specific documentation for this guide!

Other things you may need

• External Antenna (optional)
• Amplifier (optional)
• Wireless PCI or PCMCIA card
• Ethernet card
• A spare host to provide services such as: Firewalling/Routing; DHCP

Other Examples and Resources

Free Roaming Penguins
http://www.teledyn.com/help/linux/Wireless/

Recipe for a Linux 802.11b Home Network
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/wireless/2001/03/06/recipe.html

NoCatAuth's mini how to for their Wireless Linux Router Project
http://nocat.net/ezwrp.html
* Good, but skimpy on detail. Very similar to the Linux Router Project (LRP), a Linux based Internet gateway with NAT, firewalling, routing, and all that jazz, served from a single floppy. Many people use the LRP distro.

PersonalTelco's Documentation is somewhat lacking in detail, but may still be of help.
http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/CategoryExample

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Title: Wireless Network Access Point (WNAP) Set Up Guide, or: How To Set Up a TWCN Node
Authors: Jason Hammerschmidt (ffff654.noSPAM.at.yahoo.com), and Jason Ramsay-Brown
Contributors: Emir Alikadic, Hugh Reilly
Version: 1.0, April 2nd, 2002.

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