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    Use wireless card to connect to a external Wifi AP

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    • S
      smalldragoon
      last edited by

      Hi,
      I have my PfSense installed on a box which has 1 wifi card. I would like to use it to connect to a 3G modem router as backup.
      Searched in the doc and in forum ( found only old stuff like [https://forum.netgate.com/topic/800/use-pfsense-as-a-wireless-client?_=1620402396416](link url) ) on how to configure the Interface as a client.
      Any one has some insights ?
      Of course, if I missed a post in the forum, do not hesitate to point me to it ...
      Thanks !

      JKnottJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • JKnottJ
        JKnott @smalldragoon
        last edited by

        @smalldragoon

        Does that 3G modem have any Ethernet ports? If so, that would be the better way to connect.

        BTW, the 3G cell network is going away. One major Canadian carrier has already shut down 3G and another will be shutting down one 3G band shortly and the other a bit later on.

        PfSense running on Qotom mini PC
        i5 CPU, 4 GB memory, 32 GB SSD & 4 Intel Gb Ethernet ports.
        UniFi AC-Lite access point

        I haven't lost my mind. It's around here...somewhere...

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • S
          smalldragoon
          last edited by

          HI
          Thanks for your answer @JKnott ,
          In fact it's a 5G modem ;-).. I'm just an old fashion guy stuck at 3G ....
          And to answer to your question, no, only Wifi.
          So I'm trying to find a way to use it as fail over connection

          dotdashD 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • dotdashD
            dotdash @smalldragoon
            last edited by

            @smalldragoon
            The config goes something like this:
            Add a supported wireless card. Atheros is a good choice.
            Interfaces, Assign, Wireless: Add a wireless interface, select BSS
            Back to Interface Assignments, add an interface for the new wlan0
            Interfaces, OPTx:
            Enable the interface, set for DHCP.
            Under Wireless Configuration make sure it's set for BSS, plug in the SSID, enable WME.
            Enable WPA, plug in your PSK
            Save. Check status, Wireless and Interfaces.
            Profit?

            S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • S
              smalldragoon @dotdash
              last edited by smalldragoon

              @dotdash , hi , thanks for your help
              Indeed ,that's what I'm doing ( I think ) :

              bad690eb-5ea9-4df9-92bd-9e71d42668b1-image.png

              756d324e-f693-499f-96de-120462e001ab-image.png

              788f32e6-a889-4d83-9755-8f96489555b7-image.png

              and in the shell, it says " no carrier"

              09fd07ed-869f-4f31-91ab-4b16b9855ec2-image.png

              Tried of course to connect to the router using my phone as ex, it works like a charm ...

              S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • S
                smalldragoon @smalldragoon
                last edited by

                I forgot, of course as well, the network is detected and available :

                51e21947-8e9d-406c-b324-33d273849567-image.png

                S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • S
                  smalldragoon @smalldragoon
                  last edited by

                  Replying to myself for forum benefit ....
                  Issue was the firmware of the modem.
                  Updated and worked straight forward !

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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