*AIO* All-in-one box

jahonix

Depending on current channel saturation it might not even be an option.
If there are already numerous hosts using this channel (not necessarily this AP), it might not even be worth considering. You would just worsen the situation - for all of them!
But maybe he's nearly the only one and nobody cares.

McCount

I get the impression this is an experiment for MrCount with a low or zero budget

Yes, this is a "low-budget"-experiment.

Used hardware:

HP Compaq t5720 Thin Client (1GHz CPU & 512 MB RAM) (~ $20)
4GB USB-stick for booting pfSense (~ $5)
2x wireless USB-adapter (~ $20 each)

So if this is going to work the costs for this silent "AIO-box" would be at around $65.
If not… bad luck 8)

Get a switch!

I want to have a small box without any other external switches/APs/cables/…, so that the only thing I need is a power outlet and some screws.

If there are already numerous hosts using this channel

This solution would first be for a small group of users (~ 5-8).

Thanks for all your ideas and "warnings"!!
The USB-devices should arrive today and I will test and report back later.

jonesr

@MrCount:

The USB-devices should arrive today and I will test and report back later.

Not all wireless devices support HostAP, so fingers crossed for you they work. What do they show up as in pfSense? (ath0, for example). I didn't realise you were going to order them already so apologies if this advice comes too late.

I looked at the thin client, you have a PCI slot but no bracket on the case to mount a card in so I suppose you really had no choice but USB. Even if you could fudge something with a low profile card and removing the bracket it looks like the NIC+USB sockets would be touching or blocking the card.

If you are lucky enough to get this working with what you now have then I congratulate you, but tempting though it may seem to see this through I really would recommend you decide now not to put any more money behind this and go to Plan B.

McCount

You don't have to apologise, that is still in my planned budget. ;)

Right, there is not enough space inside the thin client. The USB+NIC block the card.
Only solution would be to try with a PCI riser card…

So the USB adapters have arrived and I plugged them in..... and... surprise surprise.... they seem to work... ;D
They show up as run0 and run1 (firmware RT3071 ver. 0.33).

run0 connects successfully to the WiFi with DHCP (192.168.178.1 is the WiFi AP)
run1 acts as AP and seems to work, only the DHCP does not give IPs to connecting clients (192.168.1.1 is the AP with new SSID), so I had to enter it manually on my connected laptop.

The next thing is, that I had no connection to the internet through the AP, but I think this is cause I have no firewall rules set for the devices.
If anyone could give me some tipps.... 8)

I bought a cheap AIO myself and was thinking of turning it into a wireless rig. It has two full mini-pciE slots. I was planning on wifi/cellular but with two separate radios your project is doable. Make sure to separate the two wireless networks the most you can. Put one on channel 36 and one on 165. For example. Maybe consider one network on 2.4 and one on 5ghz if your congestion is low on 2.4ghz.

Here is the AIO i got for 40 bucks.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371262352319

jonesr

@MrCount:

run0 connects successfully to the WiFi with DHCP (192.168.178.1 is the WiFi AP)
run1 acts as AP and seems to work, only the DHCP does not give IPs to connecting clients (192.168.1.1 is the AP with new SSID), so I had to enter it manually on my connected laptop.

The next thing is, that I had no connection to the internet through the AP, but I think this is cause I have no firewall rules set for the devices.
If anyone could give me some tipps…. 8)

Am at work, must be brief, how are your interfaces (WAN, LAN, OPTx) assigned? Also - https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=89045.0

If you think its a firewall rule issue you can turn of the firewall and use upstream firewall until you get it configured correctly.. Under System:Advanced:Firewall/NAT

Obviously this is less than safe but it works.

kejianshi

MrCount, can you post a link to EXACTLY what you purchased and also tell me how well its functioning.

I'm pretty down on USB wireless with pfsense but if it works well for you and is stable then I'd probably grab one for my own use. If the cost isn't too much.

Obviously his definition of AIO is different than the industry norm.

HP Compaq t5720 Thin Client

Rather poor choice for the task.

Maybe a mikrotik card on a 90 degree riser could work with 2 radios.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121556421225

jonesr

@Phishfry:

Maybe a mikrotik card on a 90 degree riser could work with 2 radios.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121556421225

I considered that but I wasn't sure that even with the bracket taken off it would fit comfortably inside. And then drilling holes for antenna aerials, adding cost for antennas/pigtails to the riser and adaptor card..

I am very surprised to see Mini PCI (not PCIe) 802.11n cards though, I wouldn't have thought that would be a thing - http://store.netgate.com/miniPCI-Cards-C26.aspx

Sounds like he already bought the RAlinks so i am wondering how he will make out… I had less than stellar time with them. I would imagine that external directional antennas for the Site to Site link would be best and an omni for the AP...I wonder how an 150M single channel link is going to provide for 5-8 people. Maybe OK for light browsing..

I am using a mini pci card in my riverbed steelhead 100 with good results.

http://routerboard.com/R52Hn

Looks like the Ralink RT3071 is only 802.11b/g/n as well…..(No 5 ghz)

He also mentions Ralink RT3072 so who knows..

I wonder if this is the device he is using. I really wonder how the radio could put out 1000mw yet max draw from usb2 is 500ma. If I am correct. Sure seems like a large power draw to me. Mikrotik quotes 2-3 watts for their high output radio -for an example.

http://www.amazon.com/Etekcity%C2%AE-Wireless-Integrated-Notebooks-Computers/dp/B006JWMOOI
Here is an example of the generic RA3072

McCount

I wonder if this is the device he is using.

pfsense.jpg_thumb

kejianshi

Can we get those any closer to each other? hehe.

Does it work well as an AP (not adhoc)?

McCount

I'm still in testing, but today I have not the time :-\

kejianshi

Cool - Thanks!

I hope i didn't come across as to gruffy. I encourage all experimentation.. I just had problems with the RA3071. I think its less than top notch hardware.
The Atheros usb is a no go I have found as well.

I really think your USB solution could work but you got problems with a 2.4 ghz network. The channel spread is so small your going to have troubles. It might work but i see collisions ahead.

Maybe consider a mimo cantenna arrangement for the backhaul. Since your on a budget..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantenna