Wireless WAN recommendations

wgstarks

I’m in the process of moving to a new house. Currently l’m having to use an LTE router (t-mobile) for internet access. I’ve had to put it in a bedroom window to get a usable connection so there isn’t any easy way to run ethernet cables to it. It’s all temporary anyway since I’ll have Spectrum cable in about 60 days. As a temporary solution I’m considering using wifi to connect to the LTE router for WAN access. Can anyone give me recommendations for an external wifi that’s not too expensive and will work with my SG-3100?

JKnott

@wgstarks

Just about any access point will do what you want. Ubiquiti Unifi APs are popular. I have a Unifi AC-Lite. Once you get the cable in, you can mount the AP permanently.

wgstarks

@jknott
That’ll work. I have more AP’s than I’ll be using to start with anyway. Is there any special configuration needed for the AP?

wgstarks

I guess this would be considered “bridge mode”?

SteveITS

@wgstarks Usually for an AP, bridge mode would be used when the AP is connected on LAN to join wireless to LAN devices.

Connecting to another AP (the LTE) would typically be called "client" mode or something similar. I'm not familiar with what UniFi might call it, assuming they have that ability.

The 3100 shouldn't care what kind of connection it is, as long as it delivers Ethernet to its WAN port.

JKnott

@wgstarks No, just hook up the AP on the LAN side.

JKnott

@wgstarks said in Wireless WAN recommendations:

I guess this would be considered “bridge mode”?

If that router supports it, yes.

wgstarks

@jknott said in Wireless WAN recommendations:

just hook up the AP on the LAN side.

The LAN side of the LTE router? My setup will be an LTE router connected to WAN and providing a wifi network. An AP connected to the wifi and the WAN port (via ethernet cable) on the SG-3100.

wgstarks

@steveits
Looks like Unifi calls this "uplink mode" and of course none of my APs support it officially. I did find instructions (unofficial) on how to do it with an old UAP AC PRO but not sure if it still works with current versions of the firmware.

Is it not possible to just set the SG-3100 up as a wifi client by installing a USB wifi antenna or something similar?

SteveITS

@wgstarks If you look through this forum the general advice even from Netgate is that FreeBSD wireless drivers are poor.

Looks like TP Link has an "AP Client Router Mode," I'm sure others do as well...not necessarily recommending them.
https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/442/

wgstarks

@steveits
Thanks, I might give those a shot. $30 on Amazon and free return if it won't work.