#I sent an e-mail to ph-isp like this one. Basically,
#you can do with one or even without those hardware
#access points as recommended by the manufacturers.
#Lucent/Orinoco wireless cards (dunno about the others,
#might work, but have not personally tested it.) can
#talk to each other without those expensive access points.
#
That's called Ad-hoc mode; a fancier way of saying, it's peer-to-peer. But as you
mentioned, you can have a Linux box (a peer) or any box for that matter that can
bridge the wireless, and wired networks.. which is what the primary function of an
access point is. Which is basically what I have in my home network; I have a Linux
box with an ethernet card that plugs into the cable modem, another goes directly to a
hub (wired subnet; 4 desktops), and a Linksys WPM11 PCI WiFi card (wireless subnet; 4
laptops.)
Originally, the only reason why I went for this setup as opposed to buying a Linksys
Wireless AP with 4 port switch is bec. I already had the wired network; I just added
the wireless subnet. But after reading some articles on war driving, and WEP cracking
in general, I felt more comfortable with what I have since I have a choice in securing
the wireless channels, and the data the pass through them.
But I'd still suggest an access point to someone who doesn't have of time to fiddle
with DHCP servers, firewalls, etc. etc. The Linksys Wireless APs with 4-port switch
have built in firewalling, and NATting software, DHCPd server, MAC filtering, and
IP-based ACL are now sold around $160 at online stores ('just need to figure how you
can route the package to PH.)
stay cool.
jeff --
--
Jeff Gutierrez
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