Another wireless broadband question

[Nick_H]

I have been exploring the best way of getting reliable broadband on the boat. After a bit of research I've invested in a high power, high sensitivity client from a company called Smartbridges linked to a 2 foot long high gain omni directional aerial. The output is via ethernet cable to my laptop, and it works well.

My question is instead of plugging the ethernet cable direct into the laptop, can I plug it into a domestic type wireless access point on my boat, then I can use the internal card in my laptop and get broadband anywhere on the boat. The concern is whether I will confuse the Smartbridge client because it will pick up the strongest signal from the on board access point and effectively get feedback of its own signal?

Of course the easy way is to try it, but do I need to do anything special so that the different devices know exactly who or what they should be talking to?

I have attached a sketch to try and explain what I mean, any advice much appreciated

 

[BrendanS]

Shouldn't be a problem, as if there is any intereference, you can set the onboard wireless to a different channel

 

[Genoa]

PLEASE keep your success a secret!
- The kids who have found this box called a Sling that they reckon will allow them to redirect Sky TV from home to the boat via Broadband to their laptop!
I moved to the East coast to escape technology but mdl now have a broadband package at Woolverstone, I've been saying the signal is too weak and now you may have a solution,

I am running out of excuses ...... NO SKY TV please!

 

[Nick_H]

Thanks Brendan, I'll give it a go.

 

[BrendanS]

One thing that may be worth considering, is getting an access point that is PoE (power over internet) enabled. That way you can power the access point straight from tha Smartbridges unit, which I believe are PoE enabled, instead of plugging into mains, saving another mains lead. You better check the smartbridges manual re PoE before going down this route tho

 

[Nick_H]

Bought an access point from PC World tonight, and found a 12V one, so I can wire everything back to a single switch on the main panel at 12V, I have a couple of unused switches. In theory then I can flick a single switch, fire up the laptop and get online

 

[JerryHawkins]

Snap!

Well, almost. I am still using the standard directly-attached antenna on my Smartbridge Airbridge unit. This is connected to a Linksys ADSL wireless gateway. Only using this as the 10/100 switch ports decided to become 10MB only, so got new unit for home and this one now lives on the boat as an access point only.

Only thing I found was that I could use WEP between the AirBridge and the Linksys. Had to set it up as "open access" but restricted it to specific MAC addresses so that others couldn't piggy-back my connection.

Cheers,

Jerry