Wireless SB3 w/o web connection?

[sea-speak]

My computer and my stereo are about 30-40 wall-feet away from each other (wall-feet meaning the length of cable I would have to string along the walls and ceilings). I would like to broadcast music from my computer to the squeezebox wirelessly.

I do not have and will not get a web connection. I queried Slim tech support about whether a router would work without a web connection, was told it would, ordered a D-link MIMO router, and upon attempting to install it, learned that it wouldn't work. I called D-link tech support and pre-sales support, and both drew a blank when I asked about products that would allow me to broadcast off my computer w/o a web connection. My computer does have an ethernet port.

Any ideas about how to get a good wireless connection going? And if not, what's the maximum length of cable that a Dell laptop ethernet card is likely to drive satisfactorily?

Thanks for all advice. SB3 should arrive tomorrow....

Brandt

[ceejay]

So, the only two devices in this network are the computer and the SB3?

First, a cable of that length should be no problem at all (though you might need to make it a crossover cable since you're going point-to-point instead of via a switch).

Second, I think you must have been unlucky in your choice of router, I don't see why a normal wireless router shouldn't be happy with just acting as a switch with a Wireless Access Point incorporated.

However, if it won't work, another option would be to get a standalone Wireless Access Point (should be cheaper than the router) andwire that to your computer (again, probably best with a crossover cable).

HTH

Ceejay

[ceejay]

Should have added ... no internet connection might make life tricky. You'll be wanting at the least to get occasional updates to slimserver. And, depending on where you are ripping CDs, access to online track data is awfully helpful...

Ceejay

[mherger]

> Any ideas about how to get a good wireless connection going? And if
> not, what's the maximum length of cable that a Dell laptop ethernet
> card is likely to drive satisfactorily?

You don't need a router, but a wireless access point. Even if you don't
have to use the router part of your box, it will confuse and complicate
things.

--

Michael

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[Mark Lanctot]

I do not have and will not get a web connection. I queried Slim tech support about whether a router would work without a web connection, was told it would, ordered a D-link MIMO router, and upon attempting to install it, learned that it wouldn't work. I called D-link tech support and pre-sales support, and both drew a blank when I asked about products that would allow me to broadcast off my computer w/o a web connection. My computer does have an ethernet port.

A router should work just fine without Internet access. It'll function as an access point.

All you should need to do is plug your computer's Ethernet port into one of the wired LAN ports on the router. Do not plug it into the WAN/Internet port of the router.

And if not, what's the maximum length of cable that a Dell laptop ethernet card is likely to drive satisfactorily?

A 30-40 foot run should be fine. Just don't kink or otherwise mistreat the cable. Use CAT5e or CAT6.

[funkstar]

Or as another option, how about a wireless card for the PC and seting up an ad hoc network?

Also i agree with ceejay about an internet connection being useful for putting your collection together, even if it isn't required for running a SB itself.

[sea-speak]

Thanks for the responses. Now I know to look for a wireless access point. That should help a lot! I'd prefer not to have to run 40 ft of cable around my apartment. I'd also prefer not to use my wireless card, as I'd like to have a 'real antenna' as opposed to a low-power PCMCIA device. Blame it on my audiophile anxieties. (I listen to magnepan 1.6s driven by a stack of TacT stuff.)

Couple of notes -
The router software for the D-link router I got does not allow install without an active modem connection. I called tech support to see if there was a workaround and they said no. I called D-link sales support and they told me there was no way to do what I wanted to do. There you have it.

As for the web connection or lack thereof - believe you me, I have ripped hundreds of cds with typed-in data. I have been there. I am now able to steal wireless from my living room window (only place I get signal for my card; gentrifying neighborhood) and get track info that way - very convenient.

I write fiction and I find the web way too addictive to have around when I'm trying to write. Much better to leave the web at work.

[jeffluckett]

Thanks for the responses. Now I know to look for a wireless access point. That should help a lot! I'd prefer not to have to run 40 ft of cable around my apartment. I'd also prefer not to use my wireless card, as I'd like to have a 'real antenna' as opposed to a low-power PCMCIA device. Blame it on my audiophile anxieties. (I listen to magnepan 1.6s driven by a stack of TacT stuff.)

Couple of notes -
The router software for the D-link router I got does not allow install without an active modem connection. I called tech support to see if there was a workaround and they said no. I called D-link sales support and they told me there was no way to do what I wanted to do. There you have it.

As for the web connection or lack thereof - believe you me, I have ripped hundreds of cds with typed-in data. I have been there. I am now able to steal wireless from my living room window (only place I get signal for my card; gentrifying neighborhood) and get track info that way - very convenient.

I write fiction and I find the web way too addictive to have around when I'm trying to write. Much better to leave the web at work.

The way I see it, to do the setup the way you want you'll need.

1. Set up the machine running SlimServer to handle DHCP so that the SB and any other machine you want to be able to connect to the Slim Server can obtain an IP.

2. A wireless access point. Make sure it is capable of at least 802.11G (54 mbps). 802.11B is probably too slow at 11mbps. Most new WAPs are 11G, so this shouldn't be an issue.

3. A crossover cable to connect your SlimServer box's ethernet card to the WAP. (networking guru's may tell you you don't need a crossover ... they may be right, but I'm prety sure you will need a crossover)

That should do the job for you.

This will also allow you to connect to the SlimServer's web interface wirelessly using your laptop.

I wasn't aware that D-link hardware required an internet connection to set up. I always use LinkSys products ... and I know you don't need an internet connection to use their router as a stand-alone WAP. The advantage of using a router vs. a WAP is that it'll handle all the DHCP connections for you.

[sea-speak]

Well, maybe the problem isn't solved after all.

The D-Link DI634M mimo router that I bought won't install without an internet connection.

The Netgear WPN-802 WAP requires an internet connection *and* a router.

The Linksys WAP54GX WAP doesn't say that it requires an internet connection to work (only that it needs a web connection for configuration, which I can provide).

I'm a little gunshy now, having ordered the D-link and having found that it is a no-go without the web. Has any of you successfully attached a WAP to a computer without a router/web connection? Or does this work 'in theory' but not in practice?

[sea-speak]

Ah. Posted my last message before seeing the latest reply re Linksys. Thank you!!!