Windows PC As IEEE 802.11 Access Point

Hi All,

The only limitation would be what 802.11 functions the vendor decided
not to support in a device mean to be used as STA-only. [Frankly, if I
were designing an 802.11 module, I would simply integrate all
functions, and disable as necessary, if even that, but that is another
matter.]

I looked around USENET a bit and saw that this question was already
asked at least once, and several people responded by asking, "Why
would you want to do that?" Well, I still want to do it, and I am
certain that it is what I would ultimately want to do, all things
considered. I am not a noob - I do research in computer networking, so
helpful responses will be helpful.

[Must be Windows for now, not Linux].

Thanks!

-Le Chaud Lapin-

Le Chaud Lapin wrote:

> The only limitation would be what 802.11 functions the vendor decided
> not to support in a device mean to be used as STA-only. [Frankly, if I
> were designing an 802.11 module, I would simply integrate all
> functions, and disable as necessary, if even that, but that is another
> matter.]

I would say that a Windows PC can't be an access point, but
maybe a PC plus an 802.11 NIC can. In that case, you would
either only have access to that PC, or it would have to act
as a bridge or router. I believe the Internet sharing feature
of windows would allow access through to another network
connection to the internet.

-- glen

On Jun 25, 9:00*pm, glen herrmannsfeldt <g...@ugcs.caltech.edu> wrote:
> Le Chaud Lapin wrote:
> > The only limitation would be what 802.11 functions the vendor decided
> > not to support in a device mean to be used as STA-only. [Frankly, if I
> > were designing an 802.11 module, I would simply integrate all
> > functions, and disable as necessary, if even that, but that is another
> > matter.]

Hi Glen,

> I would say that a Windows PC can't be an access point, but
> maybe a PC plus an 802.11 NIC can. *

:|

I am currently reading the 802.11 standard:
http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802...02.11-2007.pdf
Before, I was too cheap to pay IEEE for a copy, so I got my
information from secondary sources, but now it is freely
available. It is obvious from the document that those who make
WiFi dongles enjoy feast not tasted by many.

The harwdare vendors have the option of including or omitting certain
functions that would be provided by an AP. Some vendors took the
liberty of simply including every function prescribed in the standard,
as it eliminates multiple version syndrome.

> In that case, you would
> either only have access to that PC, or it would have to act
> as a bridge or router. *I believe the Internet sharing feature
> of windows would allow access through to another network
> connection to the internet.

Actually, I am not trying to achieve pass-throught. I intend to set up
a proprietary DHCP-like system inside a PC, and attach a WiFi dongle
to the PC to test it with PDA's, each having their own Wi-Fi
transceiver. I simply have to find a full-featured dongle for the PC,
and a corresponding driver that exposes 802.11 services primitives to
a user-mode API. Microsoft already encourages this scenario using
Windows CE, making a PDA act as the AP:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa450270.aspx

-Le Chaud Lapin-

On Jun 25, 11:31*pm, Le Chaud Lapin <jaibudu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Actually, I am not trying to achieve pass-throught. I intend to set up
> a proprietary DHCP-like system inside a PC, and attach a WiFi dongle
> to the PC to test it with PDA's, each having their own Wi-Fi
> transceiver. *I simply have to find a full-featured dongle for the PC,
> and a corresponding driver that exposes 802.11 services primitives to
> a user-mode API. *Microsoft already encourages this scenario using
> Windows CE, making a PDA act as the AP:

For all else who are interested, the pseudo-generic name for what I am
looking for is "SoftAP".

Google it, and much information will come forth.

-Le Chaud Lapin-

On Jun 26, 12:50*am, Le Chaud Lapin <jaibudu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jun 25, 11:31*pm, Le Chaud Lapin <jaibudu...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Actually, I am not trying to achieve pass-throught. I intend to set up
> > a proprietary DHCP-like system inside a PC, and attach a WiFi dongle
> > to the PC to test it with PDA's, each having their own Wi-Fi
> > transceiver. *I simply have to find a full-featured dongle for the PC,
> > and a corresponding driver that exposes 802.11 services primitives to
> > a user-mode API. *Microsoft already encourages this scenario using
> > Windows CE, making a PDA act as the AP:
>
> For all else who are interested, the pseudo-generic name for what I am
> looking for is "SoftAP".
>
> Google it, and much information will come forth.

I appears that the complete package is Zyxel G200 series:

http://us.zyxel.com/web/product_fami...No=PDCA2007072

-Le Chaud Lapin-

On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:43:56 -0700 (PDT), Le Chaud Lapin
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>The only limitation would be what 802.11 functions the vendor decided
>not to support in a device mean to be used as STA-only. [Frankly, if I
>were designing an 802.11 module, I would simply integrate all
>functions, and disable as necessary, if even that, but that is another
>matter.]
>
>I looked around USENET a bit and saw that this question was already
>asked at least once, and several people responded by asking, "Why
>would you want to do that?" Well, I still want to do it, and I am
>certain that it is what I would ultimately want to do, all things
>considered.
>
>[Must be Windows for now, not Linux].

Search for "Soft AP".
<http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/1026261>
<http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/b/9/5b97017b-e28a-4bae-ba48-174cf47d23cd/NET082_WH06.ppt>
<http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3413761>
<http://research.microsoft.com/research/downloads/Details/994ABD5F-53D1-4DBA-A9D8-8BA1DCCCEAD7/Details.aspx>

>I am not a noob - I do research in computer networking, so
>helpful responses will be helpful.

Hint: A clear explanation of what you're trying to accomplish, and
what you have to work with, would be helpful.



--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

On Jun 28, 12:08*pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:
> On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:43:56 -0700 (PDT), Le Chaud Lapin
>
> <jaibudu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >The only limitation would be what 802.11 functions the vendor decided
> >not to support in a device mean to be used as STA-only. [Frankly, if I
> >were designing an 802.11 module, I would simply integrate all
> >functions, and disable as necessary, if even that, but that is another
> >matter.]
>
> >I looked around USENET a bit and saw that this question was already
> >asked at least once, and several people responded by asking, "Why
> >would you want to do that?" *Well, I still want to do it, and I am
> >certain that it is what I would ultimately want to do, all things
> >considered.
>
> >[Must be Windows for now, not Linux].
>
> Search for "Soft AP".
> <http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/1026261>
> <http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/b/9/5b97017b-e28a-4bae-ba48-...>
> <http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3413761>
> <http://research.microsoft.com/research/downloads/Details/994ABD5F-53D...>

On Jun 26, 1:25 am, Le Chaud Lapin <jaibudu...@gmail.com> wrote:

> > For all else who are interested, the pseudo-generic name for what I am
> > looking for is "SoftAP".
>
> > Google it, and much information will come forth.
>
> I appears that the complete package is Zyxel G200 series:
>
> http://us.zyxel.com/web/product_fami...dexflag=200405....
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-

> >I am not a noob - I do research in computer networking, so
> >helpful responses will be helpful.
>
> Hint: *A clear explanation of what you're trying to accomplish, and
> what you have to work with, would be helpful.

I'm rewriting TCP/IP.

Incidentally, the model that I decided to buy is the Zyxel AG-225H:

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/wi...duct/sv=title/

-Le Chaud Lapin-

Le Chaud Lapin wrote:
> On Jun 28, 12:08 pm, Jeff Liebermann <je...@cruzio.com> wrote:
>> On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:43:56 -0700 (PDT), Le Chaud Lapin
>>
>> <jaibudu...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> The only limitation would be what 802.11 functions the vendor decided
>>> not to support in a device mean to be used as STA-only. [Frankly, if I
>>> were designing an 802.11 module, I would simply integrate all
>>> functions, and disable as necessary, if even that, but that is another
>>> matter.]
>>> I looked around USENET a bit and saw that this question was already
>>> asked at least once, and several people responded by asking, "Why
>>> would you want to do that?" Well, I still want to do it, and I am
>>> certain that it is what I would ultimately want to do, all things
>>> considered.
>>> [Must be Windows for now, not Linux].
>> Search for "Soft AP".
>> <http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/columns/article.php/1026261>
>> <http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/b/9/5b97017b-e28a-4bae-ba48-...>
>> <http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/news/article.php/3413761>
>> <http://research.microsoft.com/research/downloads/Details/994ABD5F-53D...>
>
> On Jun 26, 1:25 am, Le Chaud Lapin <jaibudu...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> For all else who are interested, the pseudo-generic name for what I am
>>> looking for is "SoftAP".
>>> Google it, and much information will come forth.
>> I appears that the complete package is Zyxel G200 series:
>>
>> http://us.zyxel.com/web/product_fami...dexflag=200405...
>>
>> -Le Chaud Lapin-
>
>>> I am not a noob - I do research in computer networking, so
>>> helpful responses will be helpful.
>> Hint: A clear explanation of what you're trying to accomplish, and
>> what you have to work with, would be helpful.
>
> I'm rewriting TCP/IP.
>
> Incidentally, the model that I decided to buy is the Zyxel AG-225H:
>
> http://computers.pricegrabber.com/wi...duct/sv=title/
>
> -Le Chaud Lapin-
If you wish to "use all functions" then the zyxel 200 series are not
suitable as they are limited in their encryption capability to WEP 256.
As yet I am not aware of any upgrades for WPA/WPA2..., I do have a
G-202 and do find this limitation annoying.

On Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:20:31 -0700 (PDT), Le Chaud Lapin
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>> > For all else who are interested, the pseudo-generic name for what I am
>> > looking for is "SoftAP".

Sorry, I missed your posting. See the URL's I posted for clues on
Windoze Soft AP's.

>> Hint: *A clear explanation of what you're trying to accomplish, and
>> what you have to work with, would be helpful.
>
> I'm rewriting TCP/IP.

If you have some spare time, could you also fix the economy, end the
war in middle east, end global warming, find a tolerable US
presidential candidate, and figure out why my truck is getting lousy
gas mileage?

That also only answers half my question. What do you have to work
with? If a spare PC, you might consider some Linux firewall/router
mutations that are intended to run access points, such as M0n0wall.

If all you want is wireless connectivity, you don't need an AP. You
could setup an Ad-Hoc (peer-to-peer) wireless network, where the
various wireless clients talk to each other directly. Any out of the
box Windoze wireless device will do that.

I'm kinda suprised that you've selected Windoze as your initial
platform for wireless global domination. Most such development I've
seen is initially done on Linux (because it's better and easier) and
later ported to Windoze.

>Incidentally, the model that I decided to buy is the Zyxel AG-225H:
>http://computers.pricegrabber.com/wi...duct/sv=title/

No experience with that model. I'm kinda suprised that you would
chose a USB devices for a Soft AP. Soft AP is commonly used on
laptops to do man-in-the-middle type attacks at hot spots by creating
a fake AP. Also, for various wireless DoS attacks. I would think
that you would have selected a PCI or MiniPCI card instead.

Anyway, good luck and please let me know when you can fix my truck.


--
Jeff Liebermann (E-Mail Removed)
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

In article <1c026548-0f53-4581-946d-(E-Mail Removed)>,
Le Chaud Lapin <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>The only limitation would be what 802.11 functions the vendor decided
>not to support in a device mean to be used as STA-only. [Frankly, if I
>were designing an 802.11 module, I would simply integrate all
>functions, and disable as necessary, if even that, but that is another
>matter.]
>
>I looked around USENET a bit and saw that this question was already
>asked at least once, and several people responded by asking, "Why
>would you want to do that?" Well, I still want to do it, and I am
>certain that it is what I would ultimately want to do, all things
>considered. I am not a noob - I do research in computer networking, so
>helpful responses will be helpful.
>
>[Must be Windows for now, not Linux].
>
>Thanks!
>


There are several Linux distros that maks any x86 machine with a WiFi
radio into an AP, generally with lots of added features.

Check out "pebble" from my friends at NYC Wireless

http://www.nycwireless.net/supernode/pebble-linux/


(I *think* this is what you want to do.)
--
Al Dykes
News is something someone wants to suppress, everything else is advertising.
- Lord Northcliffe, publisher of the Daily Mail