Off the shelf mesh network?

Hello Everyone,

I would like some feedback on an idea I am working with. So far a few
people have told me this is not possible, I am seeking a
'second-opinion'.

I need to know if it's possible to biuld a mesh netowrk using
off-the-shelf bridges/repeaters/access points. I tried setting up an
ad hoc network using bridges, but that did not work. Bridges don't
work as repeaters.

here is a visual.

[ 1 ] ------wifi-------- [ 2 ] --------wifi--------- [ 3 ]


The simple example. Each number is a wifi bridge/repeater/access
point. I have already done this experiement with the dlimnk dwl-810
and it did not work.

in the example, unit 1 is within range of unit 2, unit 1 is not within
range of unit 3. can unit 1 send packets to unit 2 and have unit 2
relay them to unit 3?

Does anyone know of such a device?

Thank you all, your advice is appreciated.
Terrac

> I need to know if it's possible to biuld a mesh netowrk using
> off-the-shelf bridges/repeaters/access points. I tried setting up an
> ad hoc network using bridges, but that did not work. Bridges don't
> work as repeaters.
>
> here is a visual.
>
> [ 1 ] ------wifi-------- [ 2 ] --------wifi--------- [ 3 ]
>
>
> The simple example. Each number is a wifi bridge/repeater/access
> point. I have already done this experiement with the dlimnk dwl-810
> and it did not work.
>
> in the example, unit 1 is within range of unit 2, unit 1 is not within
> range of unit 3. can unit 1 send packets to unit 2 and have unit 2
> relay them to unit 3?

It looks you were headed in the rite direction, wrong device.
You need the DWL-800AP+ It is an AP or repeater.
I see a refurbished one for $32
http://store.yahoo.com/pcbay1/rddwiacpoorr.html

Bill

"Terrac" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I would like some feedback on an idea I am working with. So far a few
> people have told me this is not possible, I am seeking a
> 'second-opinion'.
>
> I need to know if it's possible to biuld a mesh netowrk using
> off-the-shelf bridges/repeaters/access points. I tried setting up an
> ad hoc network using bridges, but that did not work. Bridges don't
> work as repeaters.
>
> here is a visual.
>
> [ 1 ] ------wifi-------- [ 2 ] --------wifi--------- [ 3 ]
>

HTH: http://pdos.lcs.mit.edu/roofnet/

William

"scram" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>> point. I have already done this experiement with the dlimnk dwl-810
>> and it did not work.

"Dim-Link", good one, thanks!

>It looks you were headed in the rite direction, wrong device.
>You need the DWL-800AP+ It is an AP or repeater.

Well, you would if they worked. They may work (though there's no
indication that they will) if you apply the latest firmware, which is
due out 2004Q2 (*), but I'm not holding my breath. I bought three of
them and ended up running wires after spending a couple of weeks
trying to make them work. They hang, they don't repeat, they transmit
but don't receive, pleh.

There are repeaters, but they cut the network bandwidth in half for
each hop, so they aren't well regarded...

(*) Oh, the end of last month, yeah, well, they can't tell time over
there at Dim-Link either. Sigh.

--
William Smith
ComputerSmiths Consulting, Inc. www.compusmiths.com