Re: Wireless network at compitition.
 

Here's an idea too...not sure if you'll like it or not, but if you could get a database onto a palm pilot for people that have 'em (and a lot of people in first have 'em) then they could do a bit of scouting and sync in with the comp you've got hooked up to the internet. Just an idea.

Re: Wireless network at compitition.
 

Sry, can't help ya...having issues just getting this up and running. Earlier I managed to trick myself into believing it worked...I was fumbling with the files on all my comps, doufus me extracted it to the same location on all 3 comps....managed to make myself believe it was working, lol.

So anyone wanna lend a helping hand...I have spent all night looking at refs for the DNS-less things, and still haven't figured it out. So I'm gonna upload my files here...hope someone can help out. Download Here

Re: Wireless network at compitition.
 

I have the whole thing setup now...working for real this time...I didn't trick myself. :P

Tommorrow I'm going to take it to school for a more comprehensive test with more computers over a longer range. I even bought one of those range extending attennas.

So for those of you who will be at the chesapeake regional. If you are interested in participating in this scouting network, just come to our pit(#1463) and get the info. We probably will have flyers to pass out to let people how to connect and use it.

Quite simple actually. Join the wireless network called "FIRST" (subject to change if it clashes with the actual event one, assuming they have one, the alternate will be "FIRSTscouting". We are still trying to get official consent from the chesapeake people, it shouldn't be a problem...thru email contact they seem to think we want internet access, but now they want to see our equipment, but whatever, it shouldn't be a problem.). Then just open up your broswer and go to www.FIRSTlook.net and follow any instructions there.

Re: Wireless network at competition.
 

Just a note, you said you bought a wireless antenna for use with your WAP (I assume). The range problem still stands as before, though. You now receive data from the WAP at farther ranges but your wireless devices will still have a problem sending back to it. It's the same problem that satellites run into. Your best bet it to get a wireless repeater or something and move it into a central location. I guess this all depends on the venue. I'd imagine without an antenna on anything, you could get mediocre reception on a big gym. (This was true in the PBG regional.. I tried messing around with an ad-hoc network. Worst signal strength I saw was about 25%)

Also, some notes on wireless security. The simplest way to secure your WAP would be to enable MAC filtering (so that only the computers you add to the list can connect), disable SSID broadcasting (makes it so the router doesn't say "Hey! Look at me! I'm a WAP!" and I don't believe wireless stumbler programs will find it unless they can put your card into passive mode), enable WEP (this is definitly not super-secure, it will just keep passer-by's out but will still let l33t h4x0rs in with enough patience), and the NUMBER ONE bit of advice is to CHANGE THE PASSWORD. It's SICK how many people don't do this one simple thing. Someone could login to the router with the default u/p, upload 'new' (read: corrupted or bad) firmware. Boom. WAP = dead. Also, if you really want to get secure, I'd set up a VPN with IPSEC stuff. But I don't really want to get into that.. since that's pretty much overkill for a WAP at a FIRST competition. Also, be smart. Anything you transfer over a wireless network can be found by anyone with the means to intercept. Passwords, credit card numbers, super-secret super weapons whitepapers.. all insecure on a basic wireless network.

Also, the only networks I found at PBG was an ad-hoc network and a WEP-protected from the Red barons. (Not to mention the unencrypted network named 'CVSretail' on the way :D) I was surprised that Pitt didn't have a public wireless network. I had really wanted a way to send emails and such without paying $.25/min on the hotel computer thing.

Re: Wireless network at competition.
 

I'm surprised you didn't pick up the Carnegie Mellon wireless network. They have like a 5 mile radius outside campus covered ... or something obscene like that.

Re: Wireless network at competition.
 

Do I want to try and make it secure? I want this to be easily accessible for as many FIRSTers as possible.

Re: Wireless network at compitition.
 

Probably not. Just make sure you change the admin login u/p. (I was just bored and felt like posting all that in case anyone wanted to set up a wap for their own personal use or something like that)

Re: Wireless network at compitition.
 

Our Wireless Network is up, tested, and ready! So , this is another announcement that we will be hosting this wireless network at the Chesapeake Regional!

At the regional we will have fliers to hand to interested teams, and will be wandering around with them too. The server will be named "FIRST" (or if that is unavailable for some reason, "FIRSTscouting") and should be up throughout the competition hours. Drop by our pit (#1463) to check out the status of the database and get information, or if you don't have wireless access and want to browse the server.