Looking for a 2,4GHz network bridge WPA2 Enterprise capable - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2020, 11:03:57 pm
content: At home my laptop connects to a public wifi network that iswpa2 enterprise encrypted.On the laptop it used to work ok-ish but recently some people in the neighborhood added more power-full routers and/or repeaters to their own networks andnow the public network performs pretty bad here.Mobile devices where already struggling but the connection to those is now next to useless.My bright idea is to use a network bridge ("2,4 GHz to rj45 converter") andplug that into the wan port of a normal router, and use that to create my own LANand wifi.I'm struggling with the "2,4 GHz to rj45 converter" part.So far I've tried different option's:Linksys router with ddwrtLinksys router with openwrtNetgear bridge, didn't support WPA2EnterpriseI'm comfortable with the LAN and rf side of things butat this point I'm done with fiddling with all sorts of settings (of the opensource routers).I just want a of the shelf commercial product where I can enter SSID, select security type, enter my username and password and it connects?Does something like that exists?Any recommendations?Edit: 54mbit/s and 2,4 GHz only is sufficient.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 02:25:32 am
content: Have you tried building a directional antenna?

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 08:26:12 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on January 03, 2020, 02:25:32 amNo need to built what already is available, and that is step two, first I need a bridge.I don't think my wive likes to carry a set of mini yagi's in her pocket lol.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2020, 12:55:32 pm
content: The older Ubiquiti AirMAX legacy products will do exactly what you want inexpensively. The Nanostation M Loco is ideal for shorter range WiFi to Ethernet bridging.Note that their newer AirMAX AC products apparently will only connect to other Ubiquiti AirMAX radios due to software limitations.

author: Ashazy1234
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 05, 2020, 11:38:17 pm
content: Trying building Directional Antenna and the IP address is192.168.l.4.

author: dropkick
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2020, 12:40:26 am
content: Most of MikroTik's wireless stuff will let you run the device as a 'client' to your wifi provider, and then bridge the connection to wired or even a different wireless band acting an AP for your house. If you know where the wifi AP is you could even use one with a built in directional antenna to beat out the neighbors. A simple outdoor model and wired ethernet would be just fine. It can be a simple as a bridge, or you can use the router/firewall, NAT, DHCP functions, etc on the inside network. Do look for license levels 4 (or 5?) to do "everything". All but the lowest end units have it (some single band units designed strictly for mass CPE deployments are level 3 and won't act as an AP). The setup is a bit tricky if you haven't used their OS before, but once done it should be quite stable.I've seen a lot of devices which "make your Xbox/TV/whatever wireless" but a lot of them might not support WPA2 Enterprise.

author: matts-uk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2020, 10:11:50 am
content: Quote from: The Soulman on January 02, 2020, 11:03:57 pmYes. The majority of WiFi access points can be configured in client or bridge mode. It is not quite fire and forget as you still have to think out the 'end-to-end' routing stuff.For a little more money there are 'designed for the job' solutions available, aimed at boat and caravan owners.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Solwise-WL-PATRIOT-3000-KIT-Patriot-3000-Router-Wi-Fi-Booster-Kit-for-Boats/264532876746?epid=3018960585&hash=item3d97635dca:g:DUsAAOSwYv9d1TAWQuoteNo. The consumer market changes too quickly to keep up.You should be able to pick one of these up for less than EU30.https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/9626-tp-link-tl-wa801nd/A used AP on e-bay will be less.