[UFO Chicago] Linksys Firmware update

[Nate Riffe]

On Mon, 9 Jul 2001, Tom Printy wrote:

> This is an interesting tidbit. It appeard that the newest firmware upgrade
> for the linksys WAP will allow it to be a wireless to wireless bridge.
> This may be a cheap way to get some nodes up. Place these little buggers
> in a water tight case through two directioanls or omnis up and viola!
> Small realestate space as well.
>
> -Tom

Does it actually have two antennas, though?  Even if they are not external
antenna connectors, witness how hackable the DLink AP was
(http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/DlinkAccessPointComments).  In
order to even work as a two-directional relay the thing has to actually
have two antennas.

Perhaps more importantly, since this thing is a mere bridge, it won't
route.  It'll just rebroadcast whatever it picks up.  Besides the fact
that you'd be toeing the line with the FCC, you'd end up with wider cells,
and hence a lower capacity network.  Note that this is probably prefectly
acceptable for the time being (except for the FCC, which is never
acceptable).

Ignoring all of that, though, it sure would be fun to play with.

-Nate