Backup / Redundant Multi WAN over wifi
-
Hello.
I've been asked to look into setting up a WIFI connection to act as a backup WAN.The client has primary ethernet connection and in the building where they are there is community wifi.
His idea is to use the comminity wifi as a backup connection should his ethernet wan failed.
we've setup duel WAN with reduntant gateway etc many times, but never where the redundant connection is over wifi.
Can anyone suggest a compatible USB wifi dongle that will work with a Netgate 3100 if that can work or a seperate wifi client hardware with an ethernet connection on and we'll go the traditional second wan route via ethernet.
thanks.
-
@steveb53 I would recommend a dedicated Wireless->Ethernet bridging device instead of a USB adapter on the 3100. FreeBSD and wireless cards aren't the best friends and 802.11n/ac support is minimal at best.
Plug the Wireless Bridge into the OPT interface and set it up as another device. If that's not available VLAN it to the LAN ports on the 3100.
-
@steveb53 You could get one of the little GL.iNet travel router boxes. These things allow you to connect to a WAN over a bunch of different ways: smart phone tethering, direct ethernet cable, 3G/4G USB modem, or even over a wifi connection.
I use one of these in a pinch, and it works great. There are newer models, with antennas and faster CPU processors, so plenty of options.
https://www.amazon.com/GL-iNet-GL-AR750-300Mbps-pre-Installed-Included/dp/B07712LKJM
In the manual, here's the specific section on the supported WAN connections. You're looking at using the "repeater" function to be able to get to the community wifi, like you say...
https://docs.gl-inet.com/en/3/setup/gl-ar750/internet/