Deployed, need wifi help!!

[EODguyJake]

Alright, I'm not at all computer smart so I am going to do my best to describe the issue and what we need here. I am deployed and there is a moral net that spits a wifi signal out over the compound. We are in a metal building, so the signal doesn't get in here, but we know it reaches tent city a good 300 yards further away than we are. When we showed up, the previous rotation had a router set up by the ONE opening (an exhaust fan in the bay) that was pirating the signal into the building. Bandwidth was bad, but better than nothing. Well, a new rotation of comm wienies showed up, and looked at the network, and blocked our router. Or, at least we think that is what happened. Several people were changing their static IP address (no, I don't know what that means) and they got blocked from accessing the wifi networks. We figure that is when our pirate router was discovered, and neutered.

I have been looking at USB port long range wifi adapters, but I really have no clue what I am reading. Will it grab a signal from that one fan opening and punch it to me 150ft away? Obsiously we were getting some signal though there before. Or, is there a device out there that DOES NOT need to hook up to a router, but can grab that signal and pipe it into the facility so all of us can access it? Here are the 2 products I have been lookin at. I understand that these things can't put out a signal to all of us in the building. Same thing, same brand, just get different reviews. Don't have a clue here.

Amazon.com: 2000mW 2W 802.11g/n High Gain USB Wireless G / N Long-Rang WiFi Network Adapter *Strongest on the Market*: Electronics

Amazon.com: 2000mW 2W 802.11g/n High Gain USB Wireless G / N Long-Rang WiFi Network Adapter *Strongest on the Market*: Electronics

Amazon.com: Alfa 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g USB Wireless WiFi Network Adapter With Original Alfa Screw-On Swivel 9dBi Rubber Antenna *Strongest on the Market*: Electronics

Amazon.com: Alfa 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g USB Wireless WiFi Network Adapter With Original Alfa Screw-On Swivel 9dBi Rubber Antenna *Strongest on the Market*: Electronics

FWIW, I'm running Windows XP on a Dell that is a few years old, but has no bugs.

[campbellflage]

not much help here, but i feel for you man, i was stationed at basra, and the freakin internet nazi's there were such a pain in the a55! It came down to it in the end i was payin for service, a payment im glad i forked over every month, keeps you sane!

[2006PSDSD]

Originally Posted by EODguyJake

Alright, I'm not at all computer smart so I am going to do my best to describe the issue and what we need here. I am deployed and there is a moral net that spits a wifi signal out over the compound. We are in a metal building, so the signal doesn't get in here, but we know it reaches tent city a good 300 yards further away than we are. When we showed up, the previous rotation had a router set up by the ONE opening (an exhaust fan in the bay) that was pirating the signal into the building. Bandwidth was bad, but better than nothing. Well, a new rotation of comm wienies showed up, and looked at the network, and blocked our router. Or, at least we think that is what happened. Several people were changing their static IP address (no, I don't know what that means) and they got blocked from accessing the wifi networks. We figure that is when our pirate router was discovered, and neutered.

I have been looking at USB port long range wifi adapters, but I really have no clue what I am reading. Will it grab a signal from that one fan opening and punch it to me 150ft away? Obsiously we were getting some signal though there before. Or, is there a device out there that DOES NOT need to hook up to a router, but can grab that signal and pipe it into the facility so all of us can access it? Here are the 2 products I have been lookin at. I understand that these things can't put out a signal to all of us in the building. Same thing, same brand, just get different reviews. Don't have a clue here.

Amazon.com: 2000mW 2W 802.11g/n High Gain USB Wireless G / N Long-Rang WiFi Network Adapter *Strongest on the Market*: Electronics

Amazon.com: Alfa 1000mW 1W 802.11b/g USB Wireless WiFi Network Adapter With Original Alfa Screw-On Swivel 9dBi Rubber Antenna *Strongest on the Market*: Electronics

FWIW, I'm running Windows XP on a Dell that is a few years old, but has no bugs.

Originally Posted by campbellflage

not much help here, but i feel for you man, i was stationed at basra, and the freakin internet nazi's there were such a pain in the a55! It came down to it in the end i was payin for service, a payment im glad i forked over every month, keeps you sane!

I'm no help for your computer woes, but I want to thank you both for your service

[Ryan Rønning]

Was there any resolve to this. I have no idea how to help either but I can see myself being in the same boat in a very short few weeks.

[EODguyJake]

Nope. Trying some other sources. If I get anything, I'll post it up.

[Dave]

Jake shoot a pm to evil eye he should be able to help you out with that

[Evil Eye]

Originally Posted by EODguyJake

We figure that is when our pirate router was discovered, and neutered.

Depending on how good those guys are, they could have just removed it from the network or they could have blocked any traffic coming through it. Can you confirm you were still able to receive a signal from your router or was it confiscated?

Originally Posted by EODguyJake

Will it grab a signal from that one fan opening and punch it to me 150ft away? can grab that signal and pipe it into the facility so all of us can access it?

Those devices that you indicated are designed for an individual computer to use for access and the range is pretty impressive. That is, IF they haven't blocked traffic from your location. BTW, grabbing a signal and allowing multiple folks to use it is the router's job. If they confiscated yours, you will need another one for multiple folks to use. Otherwise, you'll need a device like you were looking at.

[Rubenk]

Have you tried setting a laptop or something next to the opening to make sure you can still get wifi there?

If so, just about any wifi router can act as a wifi hotspot like you need. Essentially it'll relay your wifi signals back and forth over the actualy wifi connection. It would take a lil bit of configuring on the router to get it to work. Your best bet is to probably get the comm guys to help you out, that way they know what is going on their network.

I know if I seen an unauthorized router on my network it would get blocked, no questions asked. But if they came and asked me for help then i'd set it all up for them no problem.