Passive Repeaters

[Twigman]

I was thinking of trying this, but I dont know much about it.
I have searched these forums and not come up with much, google came up with some relevant stuff (although not that much)
http://forums.wi-fiplanet.com/showth...5&pagenumber=2
tends to suggest that its not really going to work and its not really worth trying. So the rest of this thread is more "in theory" than anything else.

If this was purely antennae related I think netstumbler forums or something might be more relevant but I am more interested in any possible legal or security issues.

If you are putting one up, are there any legal implications? (apart from planning permission or similar if applicable)
You are repeating your network, and probably someones network as well, so they might not like that. Is there anything you can do to stop this? Is there anything they can do about it?

Are there any obvious legal or security implications I have forgotten about?

Just generally interested in people's thoughts and comments on this really.

[converge]

I've not had much success with passive repeaters.. it's a messy way of going about things. If you can trust a location to not use physical access to its advantage, I still prefer setting up an AP with an older laptop (.. $50-100 at most) with a NIC and wifi card. Use the wifi card (antenna, amp) to establish a solid connection with your primary wireless network and the NIC to accept and forward traffic from the AP. Set up firewall rules accordingly to protect your interfaces and regulate traffic over the wireless network on each end. This allows for availability of better control mechanisms imo, including a remote IDS in the area that would normally be mostly out of your control.

Of course, this might be overkill if you just need to extend your range slightly... depends what you're trying to accomplish. More details needed for discussion of legal ramifications.

[Twigman]

Im a university student.
Basically there is wireless networking that everyone can use all around the campus.
Our accomodation is a little way away, there is one block of flats that can see line of site to uni because of its height. It would be nice to recieve the signal up there (which I have reliably been informed can be done), and repeat it down to the rest of the accomodation and other blocks in the immeadiate area.
The university dont mind people using the wireless link, so it isnt a problem from my point of view, I was just interested if anyone had tried it and had any sucess or problems.

Really, doing your suggestion is probably better and easier, but thought I might as well investigate all the possibilities. :)

[TheCotMan]

Im a university student. There is wireless networking everyone can use on campus...
...If you are putting one up, are there any legal implications?

Assuming a "dorms" setting, some universities have policies on students running wireless access points in the dorms. Even if it is a repeater for the campus network, they may be upset with you. One valid reason for this is if they have plans to offer wireless in the dorms, a repeater will make troubleshooting more difficult than necessary.

Check with your campus IT department.

Is there anything you can do to stop this?

Yes. In the very least, the uni may have a policy to confiscate the wireless repeater. Some uni employ student workers to walk the campus with netstumbler finding rogue AP; this may cause them to treat a repeater in the same way. If it gets taken away, you lose it. You claim it, you may place your dorm life at risk. Check with your IT Department.

Is there anything they can do about it?

Yes.

Are there any obvious legal or security implications I have forgotten about?

You mentioned the big one: permission. And get it in writing to CYA.

[Twigman]

Sorry if I was not clear before.

Assuming a "dorms" setting, some universities have policies on students running wireless access points in the dorms. Even if it is a repeater for the campus network, they may be upset with you. One valid reason for this is if they have plans to offer wireless in the dorms, a repeater will make troubleshooting more difficult than necessary.

This is partially correct.
We have ethernet ports in our rooms. You are not allowed to connect wireless equipment to it, because anyone walking past could connect to your unsecure wireless and abuse the connection. That is fair enough. This is not what I want to do though.

The wireless connection at uni requires log in and is secure etc. The uni do not have a problem with people in nearby private student accomodation using it, because it is secure and they control it.

So repeating their wireless network would be ok, because its just repeating their secure wireless which they still control, but just a larger range. Whereas adding an unsecure wireless connection to ethernet is not ok.

Hope that has made it more clear.

So it is ok to do this, although in reality I am probably too lazy to organise it. I was just wondering about peoples thoughts and comments really.

[skroo]

The wireless connection at uni requires log in and is secure etc. The uni do not have a problem with people in nearby private student accomodation using it, because it is secure and they control it.

What about a cantenna or similar? Point it towards the campus, see what you can get, drop it back out over a local machine acting as a routing AP. You might be pushing your luck with the rules a bit, but given that they don't mind the nearby halls using it you should be relatively safe - or at least have a good argument in your favour should they decide to get pushy about it.

So repeating their wireless network would be ok, because its just repeating their secure wireless which they still control, but just a larger range. Whereas adding an unsecure wireless connection to ethernet is not ok.

Makes sense. I'm just curious as to why you'd want to use the wireless over that sort of distance when you've got an ethernet drop in your room. Not that I'm trying to discourage you, but it does seem like a lot of effort for little reward. Having said that, if it's just for the hell of it then by all means go for it.

[Twigman]

Yup basically its just for the hell of it to see if it works really :)

Apparently last year they could pick up the network from the top of the block of flats...I just wanted to see if I could go one better and repeat it over the rest of the halls here.

Yeah ehternet in the halls is good, but if I wonder down to my friends room or over to the common room or something I would like to be connected.

Yeah basically this thread isnt too serious. Was just interested and want to have a play really :).

Cheers for the help/advice guys

[converge]

feh... what isn't cool about doing something.. just because you can :)