Powerline networking

Can this be used to establish a connection with an unencrypted public
access point? Or is it intended only to be used as an intranetwork
bridge-i.e. from your home AP to another client? If not, is there a
powerline device on the market that acts as an antenna receiver over
building power lines to pick up such a signal. I live in an apartment
and no outside antennas allowed. Also, is there a portable adapter that
will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio into
it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via the usb
port? I'd really like replies that try to answer the questions I have
posed. Thanks.

http://tinyurl.com/cjfrk7

you've asked 3 different questions -

"hermie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:Xns9BA2A9FF1CB4D434324327832qewgwk2@0.0.0.1.. .
>
> Can this be used to establish a connection with an unencrypted public
> access point? Or is it intended only to be used as an intranetwork
> bridge-i.e. from your home AP to another client?

Are you trying to receive WiFi from a nearby hotspot
vs getting your own Internet connection of some sort ?

> If not, is there a
> powerline device on the market that acts as an antenna receiver over
> building power lines to pick up such a signal. I live in an apartment
> and no outside antennas allowed.

what signal are you trying to receive ?

> Also, is there a portable adapter that
> will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio into
> it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via the usb
> port? I'd really like replies that try to answer the questions I have
> posed. Thanks.
>

what kind of PCMCIA radio ?
is this a Am/Fm radio ?
or some kind of wireless data radio ?

On Jan 29, 5:37*pm, hermie <hermie...@msn.com> wrote:
> Can [Powerline devices] be used to establish a connection with an unencrypted public
> access point?

>Or is it intended only to be used as an intranetwork
> bridge-i.e. from your home AP to another client?

The consumer powerline bridges will do the bridging for any ethernet
connection from one point in a household to another. Ocasionally the
will reach beyond, other times won't even fully cover the house.
Signal they carry is not restricted, could be a local network or
connection to a Wide Area Network.


?If not, is there a
> powerline device on the market that acts as an antenna receiver over
> building power lines to pick up such a signal.

No. You would have to have an ethernet client bridge on the end that
acted as an antenna receiver, as you call it. The powerline bridge
will act as the " cable " to your local network.


> I live in an apartment
> and no outside antennas allowed.

Try pointing out a window. They are generally transparent to wifi.


>Also, is there a portable adapter that
> will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio into
> it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via the usb
> port?


Don't think so. Just get a USB or ethernet client adapter/bridge.
Personally, I'm leaning towards ethernet bridges as they require no
drivers and can have really long extensions. They also allow multiple
clients to connect. Downside is that they require their own power
supply and USB does not. USB is limited to 15' extension. And after
buying the extension, it's as much as buying a cheap ethernet
adapter.


Steve

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:10:46 -0800 (PST), seaweedsl
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>On Jan 29, 5:37*pm, hermie <hermie...@msn.com> wrote:
>>
>> I live in an apartment
>> and no outside antennas allowed.
>
>Try pointing out a window. They are generally transparent to wifi.

Anecdote: my windows were transparent to WiFi until I upgraded to
Low-E coated glass. Now I do a whole lot better by pointing directly
at the wall and avoiding the window glass.

>>Also, is there a portable adapter that
>> will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio into
>> it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via the usb
>> port?
>
>
>Don't think so. Just get a USB or ethernet client adapter/bridge.
>Personally, I'm leaning towards ethernet bridges as they require no
>drivers and can have really long extensions. They also allow multiple
>clients to connect. Downside is that they require their own power
>supply and USB does not. USB is limited to 15' extension. And after
>buying the extension, it's as much as buying a cheap ethernet
>adapter.

USB can be extended further by using one or more active 'repeater'
cables, such as this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812156018
OK, maybe not that exact one since the reviews are bad, but that type.

seaweedsl <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:fcc50dd9-163a-4146-86bd-(E-Mail Removed):

> On Jan 29, 5:37*pm, hermie <hermie...@msn.com> wrote:
>> Can [Powerline devices] be used to establish a connection with an
>> unencr
> ypted public
>> access point?
>
>>Or is it intended only to be used as an intranetwork
>> bridge-i.e. from your home AP to another client?
>
> The consumer powerline bridges will do the bridging for any ethernet
> connection from one point in a household to another. Ocasionally the
> will reach beyond, other times won't even fully cover the house.
> Signal they carry is not restricted, could be a local network or
> connection to a Wide Area Network.

Confused. Here you say that the signal is not restricted and could pick
up wide area network. I am trying to connect to a free AP of unknown
origin, which I know exists and can get easily with my pcmcia radio
card, but don't have pcmcia slot on my desktop, which I am wanting to
connect to the same signal. Later below you say that there is no device
that acts as antenna receiver over power lines. Please clarify.

>
>
> ?If not, is there a
>> powerline device on the market that acts as an antenna receiver over
>> building power lines to pick up such a signal.
>
> No. You would have to have an ethernet client bridge on the end that
> acted as an antenna receiver, as you call it. The powerline bridge
> will act as the " cable " to your local network.
>

see above. Isn't this contradicting your earlier paragraph where you say
that there is no restriction on signal the devices in question receive?
Perhaps I am not understanding correctly. The powerline devices I cited
in my OP can act as receivers, correct, so why can't I use them to pick
up wifi AP signal of unknown location and origin? But then you say they
are too weak?

>
>> I live in an apartment
>> and no outside antennas allowed.
>
> Try pointing out a window. They are generally transparent to wifi.

Actually window seems to make little difference as I tested my laptop
and got a good signal right through the wall.

>
>
>>Also, is there a portable adapter that
>> will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio
>> into it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via the
>> usb port?
>
>
> Don't think so. Just get a USB or ethernet client adapter/bridge.
> Personally, I'm leaning towards ethernet bridges as they require no
> drivers and can have really long extensions. They also allow multiple
> clients to connect. Downside is that they require their own power
> supply and USB does not. USB is limited to 15' extension. And after
> buying the extension, it's as much as buying a cheap ethernet
> adapter.

This is my other thought, HOWEVER, everything I read about usb radios
say they are crap and too weak to catch anything except a very close
signal. Some build parabolic antennas for them as an assist, but I
wonder if even that will boost the signal enough.

Ethernet bridge is too expensive and a pain in the butt to setup. 15feet
is fine for my purposes, but ONLY if the usb is a good one, which I hear
none of them are.

>
>
> Steve
>

"Bill Kearney" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:-(E-Mail Removed):

>> Can this be used to establish a connection with an unencrypted public
>> access point?
>
> Two power line devices, one on each end. Plug a wire from each into
> the local router. Nothing wireless about it.

Sorry guess I was not clear. I am wanting to use one of them as a
receiver to an unknown distant access point which I get easily from my
pcmcia laptop. It's not a LAN or pc to pc connect.

Problem is I want to connect my desktop which has not pcmcia slot.

So, it's either usb, which is too weak most people say, or ???
Not doing ethernet bridge(too expensive and hardware intensive) and I
don't use a router. All my wifi packets are encrypted and my firewall is
quite good.


>
>> I live in an apartment and no outside antennas allowed.
>
> From where are you trying to obtain the signal?
>
>> Also, is there a portable adapter that
>> will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio
>> into it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via the
>> usb port?
>
> What sort of PCMCIA radio are you talking about?

not sure, it's a strong one though. looking for adapter so I can plug it
into the usb port on the desktop.

>
> They make routers that can handle PCMCIA, USB and, I believe one brand
> even handles both. If you're talking about a cellular data modem
> card, that is. I seem to recall seeing somewhere a device that would
> take a PCMCIA card and plug into USB. But good luck trying to make
> any sense of the driver software necessary to get it working.
>
> There are also PCI cards you can put in the PC that would allow
> inserting a PCMCIA card; either into the back of the card or to a
> drive bay.

Yah I saw those but I want something more portable as the pc is old.

>
>
>

"ps56k" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:MrFgl.12098$(E-Mail Removed):

> you've asked 3 different questions -
>
> "hermie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:Xns9BA2A9FF1CB4D434324327832qewgwk2@0.0.0.1.. .
>>
>> Can this be used to establish a connection with an unencrypted public
>> access point? Or is it intended only to be used as an intranetwork
>> bridge-i.e. from your home AP to another client?
>
> Are you trying to receive WiFi from a nearby hotspot
> vs getting your own Internet connection of some sort ?

hotspot, see my post above.

>
>> If not, is there a
>> powerline device on the market that acts as an antenna receiver over
>> building power lines to pick up such a signal. I live in an apartment
>> and no outside antennas allowed.
>
> what signal are you trying to receive ?

public access hotspot, unknown location, get it fine with my laptop, but
need to connect desktop which has no pcmcia slot.

>
>> Also, is there a portable adapter that
>> will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio into
>> it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via the usb
>> port? I'd really like replies that try to answer the questions I have
>> posed. Thanks.
>>
>
> what kind of PCMCIA radio ?
> is this a Am/Fm radio ?
> or some kind of wireless data radio ?

a pcmcia wifi radio card, not a proprietary card from some ripoff cell
phone provider :-) am/fm radio, what the hell is that?

>
>

Char Jackson <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:10:46 -0800 (PST), seaweedsl
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>On Jan 29, 5:37*pm, hermie <hermie...@msn.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> I live in an apartment
>>> and no outside antennas allowed.
>>
>>Try pointing out a window. They are generally transparent to wifi.
>
> Anecdote: my windows were transparent to WiFi until I upgraded to
> Low-E coated glass. Now I do a whole lot better by pointing directly
> at the wall and avoiding the window glass.


wifi signal frequency doesn't care if it's a window as long as there is
no metal or water in it. ur right.

>
>>>Also, is there a portable adapter that
>>> will convert usb connection and allow me to insert my pcmcia radio
>>> into it so I can use on a pc that does not have a pcmcia slot via
>>> the usb port?
>>
>>
>>Don't think so. Just get a USB or ethernet client adapter/bridge.
>>Personally, I'm leaning towards ethernet bridges as they require no
>>drivers and can have really long extensions. They also allow multiple
>>clients to connect. Downside is that they require their own power
>>supply and USB does not. USB is limited to 15' extension. And after
>>buying the extension, it's as much as buying a cheap ethernet
>>adapter.
>
> USB can be extended further by using one or more active 'repeater'
> cables, such as this one:
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812156018
> OK, maybe not that exact one since the reviews are bad, but that type.

don't need repeater here only about 10 ft stretch, if that. just need a
way to use my pcmcia card on my desktop which has no card slot for it,
only usb. I am sure there is an adapter out there, just have not found
it yet. Might have to go to putting a card in the back of the old
dinosaur, but is questionable if even that will work.

NOTE: If anyone knows of a GOOD usb radio that compares well with the
good pcmcia radios, PLEAZZZZ let me know! Thanks.

On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:14:40 +0000 (UTC), hermie821
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>"ps56k" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>news:MrFgl.12098$(E-Mail Removed):
>
>> what signal are you trying to receive ?
>
>public access hotspot, unknown location, get it fine with my laptop, but
>need to connect desktop which has no pcmcia slot.

Do you think it's important to know who or what you're connecting to
before you start using it?

Char Jackson <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news(E-Mail Removed):

> On Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:14:40 +0000 (UTC), hermie821
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>"ps56k" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>>news:MrFgl.12098$(E-Mail Removed) :
>>
>>> what signal are you trying to receive ?
>>
>>public access hotspot, unknown location, get it fine with my laptop,
>>but need to connect desktop which has no pcmcia slot.
>
> Do you think it's important to know who or what you're connecting to
> before you start using it?
>

Why are you the local wifi net cop? No, it's a case of MYOB. And guess
what, it's legal. not that I have to justify myself to you, but there
are many, many free, freely available at their owners discretion, wifi
hotspots. No need to feed yet another capitalist pig to connect to the
net.