Can a wired pc broadcast a wireless signal?

[chuckerants]

Here's the scenario.

I have a Cat-5 wired desktop pc and I would like to use it to get wi-fi for my iPod Touch. Obviously, I can just add a wireless router if this was a "normal" scenario. But it's not.

So, my question is, is there a simple device like a USB AP or repeater that I can just plug in when I need wi-fi and unplug and take with me when i don't?

(Or is this a stupid question and this what a AP does?)

 

[JustinH]

why wouldn't you just buy a 30 dollar belkin router from walmart and call it a day.

This way you have a password protected hotspot anywhere in your home.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
why wouldn't you just buy a 30 dollar belkin router from walmart and call it a day.

This way you have a password protected hotspot anywhere in your home.
+!

 

[chuckerants]

If this was for my house, I would. But, as I said, I need to be, uh, discrete.

I guess I can just buy a cheap wireless router as I guess they are as cheap as $20 shipped from Newegg. But I thought there might be a doo-dad that might just plug into a USB port like a thumbdrive.

 

[StevieC]

A wireless broadcasting device whether from a shared internet connection on a wired computer via a second wireless card or a router/access-point will not be discrete.

They are all going to belch out signal that can be found so... Go to Walmart, get a router/a.p. and call it a day.

Hide it under the desk if you want discreteness.

 

[Bob Woods]

But I thought there might be a doo-dad that might just plug into a USB port like a thumbdrive.

Belkin has such a product (Wireless G USB Network Adapter) but it requires software be loaded on the host computer.

There is a product called Overdrive that will create a WIFI hotspot without a loading software.

 

[StevieC]

thinkgeek.com might have something like that and on the cheap...

 

[beast3300]

WRT54GL from Newegg 60 shipped. You won't need a router again. It will handle almost anything.

 

[PandaBear]

By discrete does it mean you cannot let others know that you are doing it? or it cannot look ugly sitting in the middle of a room?

One way you can set it up is to make sure you have 2 NIC on your PC, and have Internet Connection Sharing enabled. The Internet facing side of the NIC will be on DHCP client and the ipod facing side of your NIC will be acting as a server/router. Then you can connect a router/repeater with crossover cable to the ipod facing side of the NIC, and have your ipod connect to this router/repeater.

Or you can just buy a router like everyone said, and it will be much easier. If you are concern that the Internet provider (i.e. work place) knows that you are running a little something, you can have the router sandwich between your PC and the network, and enable DMZ and forward all in coming traffic toward the PC, and clone the NIC's MAC address to the router.

If there is a wireless network somewhere but too far to reach you, get a wireless repeater or a DDWRT enabled router with good chipset (atheros or broadcom), and set it up as a repeater.

It is going to be some work, but depends on what you do it may not be too hard.

 

[chuckerants]

I mean discrete as in "I can't have anyone know what I'm doing".

I'm just trying to set up a temporary wi-fi zone where none exists.

Obviously a wireless router would be the best, simplest, and easiest solution EXCEPT for the fact that the pc and the bandwidth is not mine and therefore I can't install anything on the computer - HW or SW.

I thought maybe there was a USB powered dongle that could broadcast a short-range wireless signal, but I guess there is no such thing.

I checked out the Overdrive and it is a cellular device and not what I'm looking for. (thanks for the suggestion though).

I may just end up buying a cheap ($20 no name) wireless router for my needs and if it is "discovered", I'm only out $20. Or I can just ask permission.

 

[PandaBear]

If you can't install anything on the computer, HW or SW, how are you going to even install a network card (if it doesn't already have 2) and forward traffic in the first place? Without these 2, it is almost impossible to "share" network with other devices.

There are USB wireless NIC that can broadcast a short range, but like I said, you need to install something on the PC (software driver for the USB dongle).

Your best bet is to setup a router under the table between your computer and your network with DMZ, but I'm not sure if there is anything in your system that will be skewed and causes problem (network drive and workgroup visibility being my biggest concern). If you don't need to network with other computers but only Internet, then this is probably the most "invisible" solution.

WARNING: You are probably going to get busted and make sure you can take the consequence before you start.

 

[javacontour]

It depends on what you are trying to avoid.

SOME routers can take on the MAC address of a PC, so if you are sticking your router in a network port at work so you can have your own WiFi hotspot, you "may" be able to avoid detection of a different MAC address on the network.

What is more difficult to avoid detection is the RF signal. Wireless routers have to transmit and receive a radio signal. So if someone were looking for the RF signal, they'll find it, even if you are not broadcasting and SSID.

However, without knowing what means of detection you are trying to avoid, it's difficult to give any advice.

Also note, it could be an offense worthy of termination to violate a corporate network security policy. So if you are thinking of attaching a router to your network drop in your cubicle so you can use your iPod touch or something like that, I'd rethink that idea. It's not worth losing your job over.

I'm not saying that's what you are planning. I don't really know your objective. I'm just addressing one hypothetical scenario.

 

[chuckerants]

You guys are all right. It's not worth me getting expelled (not fired).

I guess I was more curious than serious about risking it.