GHA
Well-Known Member
As per title, I've had a tablet running a Linux machine with OpenCpn over the Internet before. Is there an easy way when far from the net using just the 2 machines wifi?
Using a tablet as remote desktop for Linux machine with wifi but no net connection
- Thread starter GHA
- Start date
Elemental
Well-Known Member
Easy is a relative term.
I presume you mean using VNC to access the OpenCPN machine from the tablet. In which case you have a couple of options. Probably the simplest way is to get hold of a Wifi router, configure it to give out IP addresses via DHCP. Connect the Linux box and tablet to the Wireless router and then just use the IP addresses given out by the router (in the same way that you used the 'net' addresses previously). It can be done without the use of a Wireless router, but you'll have to configure one of the devices as an Access Point (aka Wireless Tethering). The tablet will probably be simpler to configure as such...
I presume you mean using VNC to access the OpenCPN machine from the tablet. In which case you have a couple of options. Probably the simplest way is to get hold of a Wifi router, configure it to give out IP addresses via DHCP. Connect the Linux box and tablet to the Wireless router and then just use the IP addresses given out by the router (in the same way that you used the 'net' addresses previously). It can be done without the use of a Wireless router, but you'll have to configure one of the devices as an Access Point (aka Wireless Tethering). The tablet will probably be simpler to configure as such...
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Tethering is when you use a mobile device to share a broadband connection over wifi. I don't think it needs to be that complicated in this case. I've just had a look at Network manager on Ubuntu, and as far as I can see you create a wi-fi connection of type "Shared to other computers" at which point you should be able to connect the tablet. I think.
If it was me I'd use a mifi or equivalent as a cheap wifi router.
GHA
Well-Known Member
Doesn't mifi need a mobile signal?
More power as well...
Elemental
Well-Known Member
That's correct, but it's implemented as a router. You don't need a boradband connection. It'll effectively turn your device into a DHCP server / Switch. Which is what the OP needs
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
None of the three devices to which I occasionally tether (Galaxy S phone, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Note) will turn tethering on if they don't have a mobile data signal. Others might, and of course it will do what the OP wants, but I think it's reasonable to point out that there may be simpler solutions for a point-to-point wifi connection.
Dunno. It's a while since I used one, but I think it was happy to act as a router even if the mobile data was down. Not much power, either - I sometime use the Vodafone equivalent which has a standard phone battery and will go for a couple of days before needing charged. What I really want for the boat is one of tehse things with an external antenna for the mobile broadband signal, but I haven't found one with some rather lazy searching.
laika
Well-Known Member
Easy ways with a 3rd device have been suggested but with just the two devices some options would be:
* Configure up an ad-hoc connection. Assign IP addresses manually
* Configure the linux box as a access point and dhcp server using hostapd and something like isc-dhcpd or something bit lighter weight. Might not be possible depending on your wireless chipset but guessing this is your cubietruck thing, so appropriate wireless devices definitely available for not much cash
* As above but chucking scripts into your network startup to only start the access point and dhcp server if the linux box doesn't itself receive a dhcp address from somewhere else
I'm a fan of the concept of using one device to connect to marina wifi and then share the connection rather than all my devices connecting independently. There's security benefits, it works in places which limit you to one device, you only ever have to re-connect one device to a different SSID, it enables you to connect to corporate LANs using stupid corporate VPNs on the type of marina connection which require web sign in (without doing Stupid Mac Address tricks) and it's helpful when debugging.
* Configure up an ad-hoc connection. Assign IP addresses manually
* Configure the linux box as a access point and dhcp server using hostapd and something like isc-dhcpd or something bit lighter weight. Might not be possible depending on your wireless chipset but guessing this is your cubietruck thing, so appropriate wireless devices definitely available for not much cash
* As above but chucking scripts into your network startup to only start the access point and dhcp server if the linux box doesn't itself receive a dhcp address from somewhere else
I'm a fan of the concept of using one device to connect to marina wifi and then share the connection rather than all my devices connecting independently. There's security benefits, it works in places which limit you to one device, you only ever have to re-connect one device to a different SSID, it enables you to connect to corporate LANs using stupid corporate VPNs on the type of marina connection which require web sign in (without doing Stupid Mac Address tricks) and it's helpful when debugging.
ShinyShoe
Well-Known Member
Why not configure the Linux laptop as the access point to allocate DHCP address to the tablet?
DaveRo
Well-Known Member
You might be able to set up a bluetooth piconet. The Linux box would support it (bluez) but the tablet might not - it it Android? I did it with a Zaurus PDA once.
I wonder if that would use less power than wifi?
I wonder if that would use less power than wifi?
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
That's what I'm suggesting. Recent Ubuntus have this built in as an option.