Wireless Bridge

[robotnerds]

Does anyone know a way to wirelessly connect 3 or more computers so they can all three exchange data? It looks like the DD-WRT v23 firmware will wirelessly bridge 2 computers, but what about adding 1 or 2 more computers in separate locations?

[golfnut]

If all three computers are in separate buildings and each building has access to the Internet and all you want to do is share files between them, consider the paid version of this:

http://www.logmein.com

[umdivx]

Does anyone know a way to wirelessly connect 3 or more computers so they can all three exchange data? It looks like the DD-WRT v23 firmware will wirelessly bridge 2 computers, but what about adding 1 or 2 more computers in separate locations?

Need some more information. Like are you looking to connect multiple dd-wrt routers together which have pc's connected to them?

or are you talking about the VPN side where each router/pc has its own internet connection and you want to make a VPN tunnel between each pc?

- Josh

[robotnerds]

The specific application is that we have 1 PC-104 on multiple autonomous robots and they need to wirelessly exchange data such as position information. We were thinking of putting a wireless router on each robot if there is software out there that will support a multipoint bridge.

[umdivx]

so say you'd have a 100' by 100' box and have x number of robots with pc's on them, and you want to have each robot talk with each other and share data between each other?

- Josh

[ad5mb]

You have not told us your skill level in networking or 802.11. Forgive me if I'm telling you things you already know.

May I suggest the Linksys WRT-54G with Sveasoft software.

http://www.sveasoft.com/modules/phpBB2/dlman.php?func=select_folder&folder_id=10

Not all WRT54Gs work with Sveasoft.

Alchemy works fine for me, but I will switch to Talisman Hotspot soon, maybe this weekend.

With Alchemy the WRT can function as an AP or a bridge. Two RP-TNC connectors, so you can run gain antennas.

The network consists of one wireless router, AKA AP, many clients. The AP has the DHCP server that issues IP addresses to the clients.The bridge is a client. Your PC-104s will need to have an Ethernet adapter to communicate with the bridges.

If you get more than 10 computers on one network segment it can turn into a monkey house. So much chatter that nothing gets through.

What problem do your bots solve?

[M/Q]

Instead of a peer to peer group, you may want to look at having a controlling radio ie point to multipoint, that will manage all the individual clients.

[robotnerds]

Bascially, we are looking for a way to develop an ad-hoc network, no hotspots, no internet, no main network, multiple computers communicating among each other.

We know people do it with regular laptops, cell phones, etc., all devices with a wireless adapter on them.

The thing is we do not have, at the moment, a way to set up that kind of network because we are running Mathworks XPCTarget software which does not support wireless adapters (no available drivers).

[umdivx]

These might be a good option: http://meraki.com/

it'll build a mesh network between each and every robot, all you need is an ethernet port on each robot.

- Josh

[M/Q]

Good point Josh,

I agree totally as I am a champion of Meraki equipment and that is without any kind of affiliation. From the OP's last post I came to the same conclusion as you did. But I contend that it still would not be a true peer to peer network as there has to be a gateway. That was my original point, but I suspect is was just a matter of definition and not concept.

[umdivx]

there doesn't need to be a gateway, just have each device do static addressing.

- Josh

[M/Q]

Meraki does not work that way. In fact if you do not have an Internet connection you can not really configure any of the client radios. I have been working with them about this, but they are more interested in having a user-proof network with Internet access, than trying to accommodate every situation. I tend to agree with them. This is a very specific situation and I would tend to think that a vendor specific solution would be the appropriate answer.

[robotnerds]

Thanks for all the help and info on this issue. We really appreciate it!

[ciscob0x]

Couldn't you just use ethernet to wireless adapters?