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Question

Can 1 PC be linked to 2 different wireless networks?

by Jan 10, 2012 12:46AM PST

Have a Windows 7 PC on a wireless network to the internet. This network is run by my son-in-law, I have no control on what can be added to it. Want to network my Nook, Wii, and iPod to my PC so I can reach the internet with my devices. Is this possible?

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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Answer
If you can make this work.
by Forum moderator Jan 10, 2012 1:28AM PST

Read http://virtualrouter.codeplex.com/

You may be upset I will not offer any support for this. The reason is pretty simple. Any solution like it takes some basic understanding of TCP/IP and not much more. I can't teach that here and folk have shown some contempt if we dive off into the classroom. So I'm going to supply this idea along with another possible solution and leave it at that.

Try out a portable travel router such as http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DAP-1350-Wireless-Pocket-Router/dp/B003Q9AZHU/ (which would require two units if there is no ethernet connection available.)
Bob

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Virtual router/mobile hotspot
by Van1313 Jan 10, 2012 4:32AM PST

I haven't tried the virtual router yet. Does it affect the existing wireless network (to the internet)? Anything I use must be very transparent to the existing wireless network. My son-in-law is VERY PARTICULAR about HIS network and HIS computer and he (himself) must add any new devices to the network.

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And there's the problem.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 10, 2012 4:38AM PST

As you can't add the needed travel router or see that this will change the system, the answer is there is no solution I know of today for you.

It would have been easy if I had the travel router but as that is not an option, we'll see what others can dig up.
Bob

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Virtual router/hotspot
by Van1313 Jan 11, 2012 12:33AM PST

I was really expecting this outcome so I am disappointed, but not surprised. Thanks for your suggestions.

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It's lower than you expected.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Jan 11, 2012 1:05AM PST

At one device it's at top speed. Add a second and it drops in speed. Wifi is shared access and is half-duplex as well. But some are very picky and won't allow any more devices. If this is their network than their choice.

Too bad no hardware was available to fix this up. Even if your laptop was on Ethernet would have us solve this with the software I noted.
Bob

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