802.11b bridge cheap (Sync your empeg wirelessly)

This is a follow-up to a post about the DWL-810 I made a couple months ago. It was at buy.com for about $65 which is a great deal. Some people missed-out on it and asked if I would look for other deals on similar devices that could allow wireless syncing of their empegs.

I came across the Wavit11 by Mitsumi today. It's actually an access point that has a bridging mode in it. Unlike similar APs with a bride mode from Linksys and the like, this one is reported to work with all brands of networking gear. Best part about it is that it's only $39.99 at overstock.com.

This time, I am going to put my money where my mouth is and order one. I will report back if it works with syncing the empeg through wireless. Of course, this should be usable on any device with an ethernet port so the possible uses are endless.

Here's info on getting an additional 10% off.

Review

PS- A windows utility may be the only way to (initially) configure this thing.

Mmm.. that one is really tempting! Esp. for use with the $5 routers we all bought earlier this year!

There's even a $28 802.11b cardbus card on that site.

Pity I cannot shop there without running a Microsoft OS though.

Cheers

Odd. Worked fine from my PowerBook, and I wasn't running IE. I know what the Safari icon looks like

You're not in Canada..

No, but I suppose I could be in a few hours if it mattered.

Yes, it matters. Their non-USA shipping scheme requires an IE-specific plug-in.

-ml

Thanks Rob! I picked up a couple earlier today.... hopefully they'll work with the rio receivers....

Ew. So find a friendly 'merkin to get you some. I could, if you want. (Or did you resort to Windows already?)

What I really want to get with this is a tool to switch it from AP to client bridge on the fly. When my car's outside my house it should be a client bridge (for rare occasions when I have an empeg in it outside my house, maybe it's not worth it) and otherwise it should be an AP.

I just hope it actually works as advertised after a bunch of people seem to be buying it on my say so.

If not, hey, as long as I can do something with it I'll find a use.

That's true. Even if it only reliably works as an AP, $39 is still a good deal.

Rob: Just received the two wavit11's today and they are awesome! Just wish I had bought a couple more.... they work great with both the empeg and the rio receiver. Have you tried using one to bridge to an existing 802.11b access point? They work great together (one in "infrastructure mode" and the other set as the access point) but I can't get a connection from the wavit11 to my existing 802.11b accesspoint and was wondering if you or anyone else has been successful.
?

I just got an email that mine shipped today so I cannot comment yet. It blows that you're having an issue connecting it to another brand AP.

Well...nevermind. It was obvious when I woke up this morning. This thing works perfect with my existing access point, empeg and rio receiver.

Thanks, again.

Why do you tell me these things, when I've just shelled out a fortune for the Linksys kit!
Guys like you could have always got me my new suit for half the price!

Sounds like a good deal but probably not worth buying it as customs and tax will add quite a lot to it.
I was looking through the Mitsumi site and found the PC Mascot...

HA! That is a bit crazy....not sure I'd want to listen to the parrot all day telling me about viagra, florida girls gone wild, bipolar disorder, mortgage loans and the other junk I get on a daily basis.

Mine came today. The box said "Road Closed". I guess they tried to deliver it yesterday while the borough was repaving the side street.

Anyhow, it seems to be the same piece of hardware also sold as the "Netstar-11". The config tool seems to be talking to the Wavit on port 15135 (udp). I don't know anything else, yet.

Thanks Rob for the link. I just placed my order for a couple.

$22 Shipping to my address near Toronto (for standard mail). I don't think we're missing much of a deal here. Should be able to buy one locally for the same or less than $40 US - just need to find them or similar product. Overstock.com won't be the only place clearing out such devices.

Bruno

I also got a couple of these and am trying to get this working with my rio reciever. I can't seem to get a connection with my existing wireless router. What did you do to get it to work?

Thanks,

Well I don't have it here at the office but going from memory (which sometimes proves to be very flawed) I connected the unit directly to my computer, cofigured to infrastructure mode, changed the SSID to the SSID of my access point, turned on encryption and entered the ecryption code. Once I got it working with the computer I simply plugged it into the receiver.

Where I went wrong was in the area of SSID. When using two of the wavit11's together they seem to use the serial number of the unit instead of the ssid so when I switched to try and use the thing with my existing access point I did not enter the SSID and only entered the wep encryption.

Let me know if this is too confusing... if it is I'll give the exact steps when I get home tonight.

I have done the same as you for the most part. I have connected it to my PC. Set it to infrastructure mode, put in the correct SSID. I don't get anything. I even turned off encryption to see if that helps, but nothing.

My router is a D-Link. I'm wondering if that creates issues?

I'm at the office as well so I'm not able to play with it at the moment.

Did you try setting one wavit11 as an access point and the other up in infrastructure mode just to see if they work with each other at least?

I have no issues with my Sony Access Point with WEP 128 and my linksys cable/dsl router. It's very convenient to have around since I can plug it into the laptop, reciever or empeg if I happen to need a quick network connection.

No, I haven't tried that. Maybe tonight I'll give that a shot although that kind of defeats getting just two.

it doesnt defeat it. its just making sure theyre working properly. it took me awhile to get mine set up, but now that i finally got it i never have to touch it.

of defeats getting just two.

Agreed it would defeat the purpose but at least you'll know whether they work or not.

Edit: Damn...too slow...

lol
*gotcha*

Anyone know another source for these Wavit11 units? My neighboor and I want to merge our networks togther, and wireless is going to be the easiest route. I already have an access point, all he needs is one of these units to join my AP.

You can buy direct from Mitsumi for $50.

I wonder how long before the cable company figures out that lots of people are sharing their internet access in an apartment setting. I did that for a while, in effect getting my internet for free, whilst my neighbors payed $15 a piece. MUCH better than the $60 the normally charge.

They already know in Manhattan. I remeber there being a lot of news about it a year-or-so ago. This was the only article I could quickly find on google:
http://www.ambriente.com/wifi/anti_wf.html

Of course, on the other side of the fence, Speakeasy will handle the billing and let you do the tech support and get free DSL They're so geek-friendly I nearly feel bad for not using them. (Ok, not realy. I'm gratefull to Cyberonic everytime I have to upload something)

Matthew

I honestly don't feel too bad about splitting my internet bill, considering they enjoy raising my rates all the time, due to not also subscribing to their TV service.

I'd normally agree, but for some reason Cox brain-farted and gave me a really good deal on my digital cable/Internet/telephone bill. For all 3 services, plus all the HBO's, Showtimes,Cinemax's, and Stars channels I pay 118 a month. I know people that spend that much on regular cale.

I've got this thing about not screwing a company that's not screwing me.

I just tried using one as an access point and the other in infrastructure mode. Still nothing.

Huh...well, I'm no expert, but here is a pic of my access point with the wavit11. I actually have it connected directly to this computer and have it working with my existing access point. Maybe it'll shed some light?

Here is a shot of the status, properties and encrytion tabs working with my existing accesspoint.

...and the Evironment and Wireles Bridge tabs...

Where I went wrong was in the area of SSID. When using two of the wavit11's together they seem to use the serial number of the unit instead of the ssid

I could no longer edit that post but wanted to make it clear that when using the two wavit11's together they use the mac addresses to identify each other (not the serial number as I mistakenly posted).

Jerz,

Thanks for the follow-up. I tried making one watit11 an access point and the other in infrustructure mode. Still nothing. I checked all my settings and they are all compariable to the ones you posted.

Here is how I have it setup. Wireless D-Link router with 4 port switch. Cable modem in the WAN slot. My main compter plugged into one port. wavit11 access point plugged into another port and wavit11 sitting out there wirelessly. I have my SSID setup to be identical for the router and both wavit11's. I'm not currently using encryption.

Do I have something setup wrong at this point? I know it must be something I'm missing. I have no problem connecting wirelessly between my router and laptops although that is different than using the wavit11s.

Your help is appreciated.

Thanks,

OK, I just saw your post about the wavit11's using the mac address instead on the SSID's. I haven't tried that. Tonight I will try replacing the SSID with the mac addresses. Which mac address are you using? The access point mac address, the infrustructure wavit11's mac addess?

Thanks,

I give up. Thanks for your suggestions.

You can't give up THAT easy. Here are some step by step instructions to use with your existing access point.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST BEFORE DISCONNECTNG YOUR COMPUTER FROM YOUR LAN. MAKE SURE OU HAVE ALL INFO IN THESE DIRECTION IN REFERENCE TO YOUR ACCESS POINT BEFORE PROCEEDING. Worst case simply plug your computer back into the hub.

1. Plug the computer you are currently using into the wavit11
2. Start Wavit11 Configuration Tool
3. Click File -> Initialize and Click "OK" to make Wavit11 go back to default setting.
4. Enter the MAC address of the wavit11 connected to your computer. (In my case 20 01 13) The wavit11 will not work if you get this part wrong.
5. Click OK on the window that says the initializtion commant was transmitted.
6. You should now see the mack address and IP address of the wavit11 in the "wavit11 wireless lan" window.
7. Click the IP address button.
8. Enter an IP address within the IP address range of your computer. With windows XP you can right click on the network connection icon in the tray to figure out the address of your computer. In my case my computer ip address is 192.168.1.10 and the subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 so I'll enter 192.168.1.188 (because I know that address is not used on my network but within the range) and 255.255.255.0
9. Click OK once you have the ip address and subnet mask entered.

10. Click OK in the dialog box that says "IP address configuration has completed"
11. Your updated ip address info should now show up in the "Wavit11 wireless lan" window.
12. Note that mode is set to "AdHoc" by default.
13. Highlight the Wavit 11 in that window (it'll be highlighted by default) and click "setup".
14. Click "Property" tab
15. Change "Operation Mode" to "Infrastructure"
16. Change the SSID to your accesspoint SSID (in my case it is 0b964), my channel is set to 1 to agree with my access point. Everything else I'm leaving as default.
17. Click Encryption mode tab and select 40bit WEP or 128bit (whatever your access point is set to) or "disable" if encrtion is not set. Since I have encryption turned on I'll type in me code in ascii format and click "write". My default key is set to "1" (not sure what that is by the way)
18. Click "OK" to the "configuration setting change has completed" window.
19. Click the "Status" tab and you should now see the MAC address along with the SSID of your access point listed.
20. Click the "Environment" tab and you should now see your signal strength.
21. Try to get on the internet. You should now be able to get on and I'm fixin' to post this message since I KNOW these are the EXACT steps to get the wavit11 to work with an existing access point.

Addtional things I'll be doing:
22. Go back to the "wavit11 wireless lan window"
23. click on the wavit 11 listed (it'll be highlighted b default).
24. Click the "IP Address" button.
25. In the IP address configuration window click the "enable" radio button since I have DHCP enabled.
26. OK and OK.

That's it, you should now be able to work with your existing access point.

TO SET UP A WAVIT11 AS AN ACCESS POINT:

1. Plug the computer you are currently using into the OTHER wavit11.
2. Start the "wavit11 configuration tool"
3. Click File -> Initialize
4. Click "OK" to set the wavit11 to default
5. Enter the MAC address of THIS access point (in my case it is 20 01 16) and click "OK"
6. You should now see the MAC address of the wavit11 in the "wavit11 wireless lan" window.
7. Click "IP address" button
8. Enter an IP address within the range of your lan. In my case it will be 192.168.1.242 with a subnet mask of

255.255.255.0
9. Click "OK"
10. Click "OK" in the "IP Address configuration" dialog box.
11. You should now see the mac and ip address of your wavit 11.
12. Notice that the mode is set to "AdHoc" by default.
13. Click the "setup" button.
14. Click the "Property" tab.
15. Select "access point" as the "operational mode" and click the "apply" button.
16. Click "OK to the "configuration setting change" dialog box.
17. Click "encryption mode" tab and set it to your choice. I will set it to "disable" (default).

It is now setup as an access point. Unplug from the computer and plug into a hub.

Now, I'll plug the wavit11 that I set up to infrastructure mode back into the computer I'm working in now to check the

access point.

1. Quit the configuration tool if you haven't done so already.
2. Start the wavit11 configuration tool.
3. The wavit11 that we previously set up to infrastructure mode should pop right up.
4. Click the "setup" button.
5. Click the "property" tab.
6. Click the "back to default" button, click "apply" and "OK" to the window that pops up.
7. Set the operation mode to "infrastructure" and click "apply" then click "OK" to the dialog box that pops up.
8. Click the "status" tab and you should now see the mac address and ssid (which will be "Wavit11") of your wavit11 access

point.
9. Click the "environment" tab and you should see your signal strength.
10. Try to get on the internet.
11. If it wasn't working, I wouldn't be posting.

Cheers!

replacing the SSID with the mac addresses.

Sorry, I didn't mean for you to replace the ssid with the mac address.

Please look at my directions below.... I HOPE this helps... it should, because I took each step.

What is confusing is that apparently the ssid of the wavit11 is "Wavit11" just follow the directions below.

Thanks... we'll get it working and if anyone else wants to jump in please do so... but it's gotta work after this. I basically wiped mine out and started from scratch without a problem.

OK,

I pretty much did what you suggested here but I started over using your instructions just to see if it works.

It's not working. On the status tab nothing is showing in the box in the lower half of the screen.

Very confusing. I agree with you, it should work.

Hmmmm.... if that doesn't work maybe you have a defective one?

When my existing access point didn't show up after I did the first set of instructions with the wavit11 in infrastructure mode either the ssid, channel or wep code didn't match.

I thought the same, but I have 2 and neither work. I find it hard to believe that I received 2 defective units.

No idea.

Well, like I said before, I doubt they are defective. It is obviously something wrong on my end. Anyway, I have an alternate solution that doesn't involve going wireless and was wondering if you were interested in buying a couple more. If not I'll just send them back.

Thanks again for all your help.