Travel Technology - Wireless signal to cable?

Where I am staying is providing Wireless internet for me. This is a corporate apt that I will be in for a few months.

Unfortunately my VoIP phone service needs to have a hard-wired ethernet cable to get the signal.

Is there any type of adapter I can get which would take the wireless signal and do whatever is necessary for me to get it to be read by my VoIP box? i.e. something that converts wireless to cable or an adapter I plug into my VoIP box to receive the wireless signal?

Not sure where to even start looking, or what to look for.

Thank you.
MapleLeaf

You need a wireless bridge. Something like this. (http://www.voipsupply.com/product_info.php?products_id=1094) Which VOIP box do you have?

Thanks, that looks like what I need.

My VoIP box is a D-Link DG-102s. Would I need to find a bridge that works with that model or will any bridge do?

I think that should work, since I assume all it's doing it acting as a transparent bridge. I confess I'm not sure, though - it does specifically mention SIP, which isn't what your VOIP box uses. Maybe someone more knowledgeable (like SpaceBass) could chime in.

I think that should work, since I assume all it's doing it acting as a transparent bridge. I confess I'm not sure, though - it does specifically mention SIP, which isn't what your VOIP box uses. Maybe someone more knowledgeable (like SpaceBass) could chime in.

Yep, everyone is right on... a bridge should work fine. You can probably use your laptop as a bridge even, just turn on internet connection sharing...could be some NAT issues though.

An easy option is to get a linksys wireless router and flash it with dd-wrt (after I just slammed it in another thread :D ). Dd-wrt will allow the linksys to function as a bridge...works well too.

As far as VoIP is concerned, as long as its a true bridge, then you shouldn't have any problems at all- at least in terms of connecting to the network. Now, if the network is protected by NAT (which is most likely is) and there is no provision (IE pinhole, port forward, etc) for the VoIP adapter, then you may have issues with one way audio. I know absloutly nothing about that dlink VoIP thingy but if it does use SIP then you will probably have issues behind a firewall. If its a Skype adapter you'll be fine as skype traverses firewalls rather well (and very cool too I might add).

If its SIP, and you have audio issues, you might go back to the idea of using your laptop as a brige...just VPN into the network where your VoIP server lives and then bridge to the ethernet port on the laptop then plug the phone into your that port (may require a crossover cable)...and it will certinally require the stars to be aligned...a lot of VPN software doesnt allow bridging at all.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

These solutions would work, but there are other options as well. I don't know what VoIP provider you use, but Vonage offers their V-Phone (http://www.vonage.com/device.php?type=VPHONE) for $40. It plugs into your PC via USB and you plug a headset into the V-Phone and make your calls.

Alternatively, there is the StarCom F1000 (http://www.vonage.com/device.php?type=F1000). That's a WiFi-enabled phone that can connect itself to the wireless network. If your provider has those annoying portal page re-routes to connect (like at most hotels that offer free WiFi), this might not work.

Both of those are Vonage devices, but I'd imagine similar products are available with other providers. They might one or both be compatible with other providers with the right settings.

Where I am staying is providing Wireless internet for me. This is a corporate apt that I will be in for a few months.

Unfortunately my VoIP phone service needs to have a hard-wired ethernet cable to get the signal.

Is there any type of adapter I can get which would take the wireless signal and do whatever is necessary for me to get it to be read by my VoIP box? i.e. something that converts wireless to cable or an adapter I plug into my VoIP box to receive the wireless signal?

Not sure where to even start looking, or what to look for.

Thank you.
MapleLeafI am by no means an expert in this, but I think you should be able to use your laptop for this (assuming it has wireless and a network port) using Internet Connection Sharing.

SmilingBoy.

I am by no means an expert in this, but I think you should be able to use your laptop for this (assuming it has wireless and a network port) using Internet Connection Sharing.

SmilingBoy.

if you forgo a router, you'll need a crossover cable for this to work.

if you forgo a router, you'll need a crossover cable for this to work.I thought this is not necessary anymore since Gigabit Ethernet?

SmilingBoy.

I thought this is not necessary anymore since Gigabit Ethernet?

SmilingBoy.

Totally depends on the NIC in question. All apples, for instance, have auto-sensing ports as do most switches. On the other hand, I've never seen a Dell with a NIC that will auto-switch.

Thank you for the great ideas, but this is coming across like Greek to me.

I am a rookie when it comes to techno stuff (well at least like this).

If I use my laptop as a bridge, how do I do that?

All I receive is a wireless signal (quite strong), don't know how to make the laptop a bridge.

As for switching providers, rather not do that. I have a prepaid 2 yr plan with a company in Toronto that is really, really cheap... don't want to switch if I can make this work.

If this is too much to guide me through here, spacebass would you be willing to guide me via email or a phone call? About to go into meetings for the afternoon, but otherwise should be ok timewise.

Thank you for the great ideas, but this is coming across like Greek to me.

I am a rookie when it comes to techno stuff (well at least like this).

If I use my laptop as a bridge, how do I do that?

All I receive is a wireless signal (quite strong), don't know how to make the laptop a bridge.

As for switching providers, rather not do that. I have a prepaid 2 yr plan with a company in Toronto that is really, really cheap... don't want to switch if I can make this work.

If this is too much to guide me through here, spacebass would you be willing to guide me via email or a phone call? About to go into meetings for the afternoon, but otherwise should be ok timewise.Maybe your provider offers a softphone (i.e. a program similar to Skype that you use with a headset), which you could install directly on your PC?

SmilingBoy.

Totally depends on the NIC in question. All apples, for instance, have auto-sensing ports as do most switches. On the other hand, I've never seen a Dell with a NIC that will auto-switch.I thought auto-sensing is part of the 1000BaseT specification, but might be wrong...

SmilingBoy.

I thought auto-sensing is part of the 1000BaseT specification, but might be wrong...

SmilingBoy.

I could be totally wrong too...if thats the case then that was a smart move by someone!

If this is too much to guide me through here, spacebass would you be willing to guide me via email or a phone call? About to go into meetings for the afternoon, but otherwise should be ok timewise.

Glad to try and help any way I can...rather swamped at work today though. If you can wait a bit I'll see if I can put something together tonight in detail.
Also check out SmilingBoy's idea and look into a softphone.

Thank you SpaceBass.

I am in no hurry, so when you have time. fyi I can't go to softphone yet, as it is a different service according to my provider and it means having to pay all over again :rolleyes:

So I have been playing around and tried to follow the instructions to set up a bridge connection.

I get stalled when Windows tells me I need 2 internet connections to build a bridge. Am I doing something wrong or is this not the bridge connection you meant?

So I have been playing around and tried to follow the instructions to set up a bridge connection.

I get stalled when Windows tells me I need 2 internet connections to build a bridge. Am I doing something wrong or is this not the bridge connection you meant?

You don't need two internet connections, you neeed two network adapters. In this case, your wireless adapter is network a, and the wired ethernet port is network b. You will be using your windows pc to allow devices on the wired segment (the voip box) to talk to devices on the wireless segment (the cable modem). I don't have a windows box to test on, but perhaps these instructions (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/crawford_02april22.mspx) will help.

Ok so if I follow you then I need to just make a bridge between my ethernet port and my wireless port?

I tried that and it set up a bridge but disconnected my wireless connection. It said the wireless was active but disconnected (if that makes sense). In order to post this, I had to remove the network bridge.

Sigh! Sometimes this stuf is just too complicated.

Sorry, you've exceeded my knowledge of Windows networking. I think your life will be much simpler if you purchase a bridge. Unfortunately, there may be some wrinkles. Do you have access to the building's router, or can you ask the admin to make a change? If so, get one of these (http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WET54G-Wireless-G-Ethernet-Bridge/dp/B00008WMBT), and give it a static IP. Add that IP address to the router's DMZ. Plug the voip box into the bridge and you're done.

If you don't have access to the building's router, I think you may have a problem. I've given it some more thought, and I now believe that without DMZ or port forwarding, I'm not sure any bridge is going to work. Sorry if I've led you astray.

Have you asked your voip provider? Odds are, they don't support your net configuration, but if it's a small company you may find someone willing to help.

Sorry its taken me so long... been one of the worst work weeks in a long time...

As others have suggested, there is a good chance, even with a laptop bridge, that you'll run into NAT issues. IF you have the option to use VPN on the laptop, that may be your saving grace.

To make the bridge, right click on your wireless network connection and go to properties. Select 3rd tab (dont have XP in front of me, sorry) and select the internet connection sharing checkbox. There is a drop-down right below that where you pick a 'private network adaptor', thats where you select the network card that your IP phone will plug into, should be 'local area connection' most likely.

Click ok, let XP do its thing...

Now you have to configure the NAT settings for ICS (internet connection sharing). Go back into the advanced tab on the wireless adaptor, click the settings button in the ICS area. You'll need to add mappings for what ever ports that IP phone needs. If its running standard SIP those are UDP port 5060 and UDP ports 10000 - 20000 . You may need to contact your VoIP provider to find out what it needs specifically.

Now, remember, thats only opening ports b/t the wireless signal and the hard-wired LAN adaptor. That does nothing regarding the NAT b/t the wireless network and the outside world....that may still be a problem, depending on how your VoIP provider has things setup.

At this point you should be able to plug a cable b/t the phone and the laptop. The phone adaptor should get an IP like 192.168.1.100 (I think)...

Again, you are at the mercy of the NAT b/t the wirelss network and the outside world....

If you have access to a VPN solution outside of the wireless network, you maybe able to do some more trickery. For instance, with the built in XP VPN client you can also share that connection via ICS. Follow the same process as above but use the VPN connection rather then the wireless adaptor. I think the cisco client allows that as well (but it can be turned off by the network admin).

Finally, you could also use an SSH tunnel to another box...but thats just getting nerdy.

All in all, my guess is the true limiting factor is going to be the NAT b/t the wireless network and the outside world. Some VoIP providers are doing symetrical SIP, where they use the same outgoing and incoming ports...some use something called STUN...both are ways of traversing NAT firewalls. If your VoIP provider is using either, then chances are the straight laptop bridge will work for you. Otherwise, you may be up a proverbial creek.

If all else fails, look into http://www.jajah.com/ and Skype. You could always forward your existing VoIP number to something like Skype (which traverses firewalls very nicely). Jajah is slick...it baiscally lets you start calls via the web. So you put in your cell phone number (for example) and the number of who you want to call... it calls your cellphone first, you answer and then it calls the other party and merges the 2 calls...so both people recieve incoming calls and its all connected via VoIP...and its cheap!

There is no drop down box when I activate ICS to pick private network adaptor.

Something tells me I am just F*d.

The VoIP company suggested using a router as a bridge, set it up in client mode and let it receive the wireless signal and transmit it to the VoIP box. Been trying that for 2 days as well...

Cable into the router from the laptop BUT when I enter the 192.168.0.XX address given to me by the router documentation, I never get the page to load, but do get a connection. Until I get that page to load, I can't program in the settings for the network so it can receive the signal.

This is frustrating beyond belief.

There is no drop down box when I activate ICS to pick private network adaptor.

Something tells me I am just F*d.

The VoIP company suggested using a router as a bridge, set it up in client mode and let it receive the wireless signal and transmit it to the VoIP box. Been trying that for 2 days as well...

Cable into the router from the laptop BUT when I enter the 192.168.0.XX address given to me by the router documentation, I never get the page to load, but do get a connection. Until I get that page to load, I can't program in the settings for the network so it can receive the signal.

This is frustrating beyond belief.Go to Start->Run
Type "cmd". Press enter.
You should be in the command prompt.
Type "ipconfig". Press enter.
You should have an IP address next to "Default Gateway" (There might be more than one).
Try that IP address in the browser instead of the one you used. This should take you to the router configuration.

SmilingBoy.

This is frustrating beyond belief.

I know the pain!
Really, and I hate to say this, I think even if you get a bridge working you'll have NAT issues. I think you should seriously look into other options. I'm not a skype fan personally, but skype with a usb handset may be your best option. Its cheap, it traverses firewalls well (assuming they aren't actively blocking it) and it just works. Froward your existing VoIP number to the skype number, or see if they'll do a 'hunt group' for you...

You might even put some pressure on them to refund you since you cannot use it....

GYou should have an IP address next to "Default Gateway" (There might be more than one).


Isn't that the Default Gateway for the wireless connection? I would need to cable into the router that I am using as a bridge, the d-link router that will hook up to the VoIP box that will receive the wireless signal, independant of the wireless connection going into my laptop.

Isn't that the Default Gateway for the wireless connection? I would need to cable into the router that I am using as a bridge, the d-link router that will hook up to the VoIP box that will receive the wireless signal, independant of the wireless connection going into my laptop.

You are both right...
The trick is plugging the router into the computer too. The computer has to get an IP address from the router via DHCP, most likely you'll get 192.168.1.100 or something and the router (default gateway for the LAN connection) will become 192.168.1.1

Then you can open a browser and go to http://192.168.1.1 ... may need to disable wifi if they are using the same address scheme (and if thats the case you'll need to change the router to another bogon like 172.... or 10...).

Does that D-link specifically support bridging (client mode)?

You are both right...
The trick is plugging the router into the computer too. The computer has to get an IP address from the router via DHCP, most likely you'll get 192.168.1.100 or something and the router (default gateway for the LAN connection) will become 192.168.1.1

I do get 192.168.1.100 as the DHCP.

Then you can open a browser and go to http://192.168.1.1 ... may need to disable wifi if they are using the same address scheme (and if thats the case you'll need to change the router to another bogon like 172.... or 10...).

Sorry to be dense, this just lost me. The router instructions said go to 192.168.0.30 to program, are you saying I should go to 192.168.1.1? And also, what router should I change, my D-Link? I can't change the other one, it is the corporate one. Next time I try this, I will disable the wireless, see if that helps.

Does that D-link specifically support bridging (client mode)?

Yes it does, one of the reasons I got it.

I know this is a huge imposition on you SpaceBass, but would it be easier for you (and me) if I called you and we spent 5 minutes trying to do this via phone? haha, of course I will have to call on my mobile...

I do get 192.168.1.100 as the DHCP.Then most likely, your default gateway will be 192.68.1.1. But you can find out following the procedure I set out above. I assume you have plugged your computer in the router?

To make sure not to confuse anything. Disable your wireless. Connect your computer and the router. Wait 10-20 seconds (you should get a message that the Local Area Connection is connected). Now follow the steps I set out above.

Write down the IP address of your default gateway. Put this in the browser. You should be taken to the admin page. Configure as needed.

SmilingBoy.

ok tried to connect the router to the laptop with the wi-fi disabled... it comes back saying limited connectivity; it never acquires a network address.

Entering 192.167.0.104, the IP address for the wireless connection did nothing; same with entering 192.168.1.1, the default gateway for the wireless connection.

Should I be assigning an IP address for the LAN connection? i.e. one of these so it makes the connection?

Apparently my router has a default address of 192.168.0.30, but as I said before, that did nothing for me either. :(

Oh, fer crying out loud! Why didn't someone just post the simple answer?

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WGA54G-Wireless-G-Gaming-Adapter/dp/B00009X6DT

Oh, fer crying out loud! Why didn't someone just post the simple answer?

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WGA54G-Wireless-G-Gaming-Adapter/dp/B00009X6DT

In what way is that the simple answer?
1) its a more expensive bridge, thats all...sold in the gaming market and marked up. He'd still have to configure it, just like the d-link he owns, to join the existing wireless network.

2) it sill doesnt solve the NAT problem that he is almost sure to run into.

I hate to disagree so vehemently but I'm afraid thats throwing good money after bad...