Author Topic: Internet sharing question  (Read 11305 times)

velocistar237

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Internet sharing question
« on: May 17, 2012, 11:24:07 AM »
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/16/internet-sharing-how-to-get-revenge-on-the-cable-company/

I've been meaning to share an internet connection with the neighbors within our building, but the one problem I have is that there's no common space to put the router, and if it has a problem, we wouldn't be able to reset it unless the neighbors were home. We could put it in the basement, but I assume it wouldn't reach very well to the upper floors. I've seen remote power controllers, but I'm not sure it's worth the price (this one can cycle power on an unsuccessful ping). How could we make sure the internet stays functional and/or accessible?

Sparafusile

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2012, 11:39:59 AM »
First of all, you want your wireless router to be on the top floor. So keep it out of the basement. Secondly, how often are you expecting to cycle the power? I've never had to do so on my router and I've been using it for a year. If this is a problem for you, perhaps just buying a better router would solve the problem.

velocistar237

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2012, 11:46:03 AM »
We have to perform a reset more than once a week. Usually, the problem is the wireless router, though sometimes it's the cable modem. I suppose we could buy a better modem, but I would think that the problem could also be on the service provider's end.

James

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2012, 12:36:46 PM »
We end up having to cycle our airport base station or router about every few months.  Certainly it would be helpful to have a way of working on it, not sure what your particular options might be though.
 
One option might be to have a couple wireless modems set up and connected to the router.  That way if one went down you could switch to the other.  That doesn't fix the router, but it might decrease outages.  You should have a good idea on the history of the need to cycle the router from whoever has it now.
 
Another option would be to form a group of 6 or 8 and then have two people with internet access and modems.  That way if one went down the other would still be working.

MMM

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #4 on: June 18, 2012, 03:03:17 PM »
My TP-link access points are remotely manageable and also have a watchdog auto-reset if a ping fails more than a certain number of times.

The host house (mine) rarely loses internet access and needs resetting (once every 6-12 months). If it ever did, the friend who is sharing it could just make do with smartphone internet access until I got home to reset it, or he could come over and do so himself.

One option for the apartment dwellers who don't share keys to their places: plug the router into a remote-controlled power outlet (available at HD and other stores). Give a remote to the non-host people. If unit needs resetting, you walk up to their apartment or close enough to be in range, click off/on, then go back home and you're back in business.

NestEggChick (formerly PFgal)

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2012, 08:52:36 PM »
Hey velocistar!  I know where you live, and I live nearby.  When I had Comcast, I was rebooting at least once a week.  Then I switched to RCN and I've rebooted only once in close to 2 years!  Also, speeds improved and the cost went down by $20/month.  If you don't have RCN, I'd recommend that you look into them.  Good luck!

velocistar237

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2012, 07:39:04 AM »
Thanks, PFgal. We do have RCN already.

MMM, I saw the remote-controlled power outlets, but the reviews were mostly bad. I took another look, and the bad reviews mostly say the range is shorter than advertised, especially in the cold. This would only have to work at a 20' range indoors, so it sounds like a good solution for us. I guess it's time to put this into practice.

gdborton

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2012, 10:33:33 AM »
My 2wire router/modem at home allows me to reboot the system via the web interface, this usually clears up any problems that are occurring.  Is this an option for you?

velocistar237

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2012, 11:04:49 AM »
My 2wire router/modem at home allows me to reboot the system via the web interface, this usually clears up any problems that are occurring.  Is this an option for you?

In some cases, it would, but it wouldn't cover all cases. While at home, if the wireless failed, we wouldn't be able to command a restart. We would need the ability to connect from outside while at home, which we don't have. If the connection between the cable modem and the router went bad, commanding a remote restart of the router alone might be better than cycling the power on both. I'll look into it.

unpolloloco

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2012, 12:18:00 PM »
Look into X10 home automation  stuff.  I've done something similar for $30 (sourced components from Ebay).  Can reset the modem at the push of a button on the remote control.

Kaspian

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2012, 10:23:50 AM »
Did you ever think about plugging your modem/router into one of those burglar times that turns the power on and off?  (The ones people usually use for lights when they're away from home.)  You could have it turn off at 5:00 AM and on at 5:05 AM every day.  I have mine plugged into one (along with the DVD player, TV, cable box, and PS3) during the weekdays to shut off the power at 3:30 AM and turn it back on at 4:30 PM. 

You can get those timers anywhere.  I snagged mine from a dollar store.  :)

mobilisinmobili

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2013, 03:15:03 PM »
Keep in mind that if the account is under you're name you're somewhat responsible for what happens on the connection. So if there's illegal downloading / file-sharing that the neighbours are doing, and something comes of it, you could take the blame. Same for any other kind of illegal activity.

It's not super likely though, so that does give you plenty of options.

I wouldn't recommend putting the modem in the basement (I work in tech support for a big Canadian telco) or on the top floor - wireless signals go up stronger than they go down, so for placement you'd be better off doing it in an apt lower in the building, rather than the top floor.

Spork

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #12 on: February 27, 2013, 03:40:38 PM »
Keep in mind that if the account is under you're name you're somewhat responsible for what happens on the connection. So if there's illegal downloading / file-sharing that the neighbours are doing, and something comes of it, you could take the blame. Same for any other kind of illegal activity.

It's not super likely though, so that does give you plenty of options.


I kindly will disagree on that "not super likely" thing.  ISPs and businesses alike get a ton of DMCA notices every day.  There is government and RIAA pressure on ISPs to do even more proactive monitoring.  A dumb kid with an itchy mouse finger is extremely likely to cost you a big sack of cash.

mobilisinmobili

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #13 on: March 06, 2013, 04:43:43 PM »
Keep in mind that if the account is under you're name you're somewhat responsible for what happens on the connection. So if there's illegal downloading / file-sharing that the neighbours are doing, and something comes of it, you could take the blame. Same for any other kind of illegal activity.

It's not super likely though, so that does give you plenty of options.


I kindly will disagree on that "not super likely" thing.  ISPs and businesses alike get a ton of DMCA notices every day.  There is government and RIAA pressure on ISPs to do even more proactive monitoring.  A dumb kid with an itchy mouse finger is extremely likely to cost you a big sack of cash.

Fair enough. Keep in mind I'm in Canada and the situation is different than the USA, so grain of salt.

velocistar237

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2013, 10:59:14 AM »
We finally made the switch, and it's saving us $45/month, with a faster connection. The only issue is that we sometimes have trouble with dropped connections and slow speeds on our 2.4 GHz devices despite a strong signal, and I can't upgrade everything to 5 GHz. We're looking into a router firmware upgrade, but otherwise don't have good ideas. Could it be that the 2.4 channel is moding into wireless-g? Worst case, maybe the neighbors will be amenable to running some ethernet cable between the units so we could use our old router, but I think they might balk at that. Is there a way to receive a wifi signal on the 5 GHz channel and re-transmit on the 2.4 channel? The repeaters/extenders I've seen don't give much of an indication whether that's possible.

gianetta

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #15 on: May 08, 2013, 05:47:18 PM »
I wouldn't share an internet connection with someone unless I knew them VERY well.  People have had their homes raided - and the guy put in handcuffs - when the neighbor used their open wifi to download child pornography.

ivyhedge

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #16 on: July 09, 2013, 03:01:58 PM »
I wouldn't share an internet connection with someone unless I knew them VERY well.  People have had their homes raided - and the guy put in handcuffs - when the neighbor used their open wifi to download child pornography.


Agree with Gianetta: we would never consider sharing. In addition to myriad types of illegal downloads (that you'd never know about unless *you* were monitoring the other folks' activities - which is likely what you wouldn't want them to be doing to you), there are relatively simple ways for anyone sharing your network to fish for sensitive data you're transmitting while on said network...

Spork

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #17 on: July 09, 2013, 03:14:35 PM »
I wouldn't share an internet connection with someone unless I knew them VERY well.  People have had their homes raided - and the guy put in handcuffs - when the neighbor used their open wifi to download child pornography.


Agree with Gianetta: we would never consider sharing. In addition to myriad types of illegal downloads (that you'd never know about unless *you* were monitoring the other folks' activities - which is likely what you wouldn't want them to be doing to you), there are relatively simple ways for anyone sharing your network to fish for sensitive data you're transmitting while on said network...

Forget the data you're transmitting...  If they're on your wireless, they can most likely access your computer directly.  (Unless you run a very segmented network with additional firewalls.)

velocistar237

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #18 on: July 09, 2013, 05:31:55 PM »
I'm not too worried about it. If secure connections don't work, then I'm in bigger trouble than what my local wifi setup could cause.

Forget the data you're transmitting...  If they're on your wireless, they can most likely access your computer directly.  (Unless you run a very segmented network with additional firewalls.)

I set the wifi connection type as "public." The machines have their own software firewalls. What else do I need to do?

daverobev

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #19 on: July 09, 2013, 06:42:14 PM »
VPN, perhaps? There are some free ones.

That, and HTTPS everywhere (addon for firefox). Make sure all your email clients use an encrypted password. Basically - you're in a coffee shop the whole time.. advice for internet use in coffee shops will be the same.

livetogive

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #20 on: July 19, 2013, 11:39:23 AM »
I wouldn't share an internet connection with someone unless I knew them VERY well.  People have had their homes raided - and the guy put in handcuffs - when the neighbor used their open wifi to download child pornography.

I'm in the process of sharing my Internet soon I hope (neighbors willing). The handcuff problem is easily solved with a solid VPN.  I am not a shill so wont plug anyone but will will give you the company I use if someone wants it - costs me about $3 per month for security.  The trick is to find a place that isn't headquartered in our police sta---- i mean here in the US.  If you want to get really secure you can also subscribe to usenet services with your VPN.

I don't commit crimes, i simply value my privacy.  You also get the added benefit of free Olympics and other events by changing the country of origin.  We have been cable free for almost 2 years and we are LOVING it. 

z4cth3p4c

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Re: Internet sharing question
« Reply #21 on: September 22, 2013, 03:38:32 PM »
I have been sharing an internet connection for over a year, we started with a dlink setup and some low grade radio antennas as our connection was through trees but got very poor results  until we discovered ubiquitti. You can remotely manage the equipment and set it to automatically reset itself on a schedule. They have equipment that can beam through trees, and make links from 2 to 23 miles depending on your need. I have a 17 meg connection but it depends on the season, if there are leaves on the trees I beam through the connection goes down to 10 to 15 megs. Rain also affects the signal but I would be content with 3 megs, so 10 meg plus connections are great. check it out here:

http://www.ubnt.com/
http://community.ubnt.com/t5/custom/page/page-id/Forums

amazing equipment, far superior to everything else out there in my opinion.

if your just right next door short distance links can be done for as little as 150 dollars with superior results using there 2.4ghz nano station M's if you have quite a bit of trees 900 mhz the 900 rocket gear should be used.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2013, 03:53:20 PM by z4cth3p4c »