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General discussion

computer for internet and wifi

Aug 23, 2014 2:55PM PDT

1. I need basic OS which will boot fast.
2. after booting need to directly connect to internet via usb dongle when swithced on.
3. need to connect to wifi router ( internet sharing ) through network adapter and router configuration.
4. only operation for this computer is switch on and switch off, resulting in these three auto operations. ( Internet connection via dongle and internet sharing via router )
5 will also not require monitor once installed
6. literally no maintenance and no licensed softwares

computer is core 2 intel HDD 80GB, ram-2GB,

can any one suggest detailed of how to configure this as I have basic understanding of computer

Discussion is locked

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Re: computer for internet
Aug 23, 2014 6:14PM PDT

Can you tell more.

1. Why can't you use that computer as it is now?
2. Why doesn't it need a monitor once set up?
3. What do you want it to do or what do you want to use it for? After all, a computer without applications once connected to internet can't do anything at all.

Apart from the hardware you mention, but given your requirements, I'd suggest a google Glass.
- it comes with an OS
- it boots fast
- it connects to internet and wifi (without even needing a dongle)
- it can be switched on and off
- it functions without you looking at its built in monitor
- no maintenance needed (google does everything remotely)
- no licenses to pay once you bought it.

Kees

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Re: computer for internet
Aug 23, 2014 7:25PM PDT

I have a spare CPU a spare wifi router

I need to have a internet sharing wifi hotspot made of these and my usb dongle.

i just want to switch on the computer and these hotspot will be created and do not need a monitor after configuration and just switching of the computer will close the computer and hot spot.

need to share internet between my other devices.

Since i already have all these in spare which is being wasted, I thought of using these instead.

Basic idea is that switching just the CPU will create a wifi hot spot automatically without any other intervention.

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So no Password?
Aug 24, 2014 12:10AM PDT

just boot up the computer with no login ?

Not quite sure what it is but something seems wrong with this picture as far as security goes Confused

Digger

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Re: internet
Aug 24, 2014 12:50AM PDT

That makes it much more clear. Any OS that can run virtual router (open source) or connectivy (not free) should do. So if your spare CPU has Windows 7 or Windows 8 you found something.

But if you already have a wifi router, why do you need a virtual one?

Kees

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Item 6 is a problem.
Aug 24, 2014 12:59AM PDT

I've yet to find any router made by anyone that didn't require later work. That is, as the ISP and internet changed I had to dive in and make a change to match. To me that is MAINTENANCE. You need to be told this since once in a while you find folk DREAMING of such a thing. While it is possible to have the work done by others so you won't be bothered with upkeep, well then you may as well out source the whole thing.

OK, years ago I fielded many routers based on LOAF as well as ROUTER ON A FLOPPY. These things ran on 1.44MB of floppy space so any old USB memory stick will work dandy. The smallest stick I have is 16MB so here's a list of small router distros you can start to find your best solution.

http://www.fredshack.com/docs/floppyroutersfw.html

I recall these ran on 16MB RAM and 386 CPUs so your computer is far more than required.
Bob

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OS for computer internet sharing & wifi hotspot
Aug 24, 2014 4:50AM PDT

R. Proffitt

Yes I am looking for something similar, but need to know whether my usb internet dongle can be connected to ISP when computer is switched on without intervention and internet need to be shared from this computer through a separate WIFI router connected to this computer via lan.

my system is much superior for such ops but any ways its not utilized as of now

Also can you provide details of this configuration as how will it share internet connection.

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Re: router
Aug 24, 2014 5:18AM PDT

Do I understand correctly that what you want is to share your 3G or 4G Internet-connection for which you have a USB-dongle from some provider (you didn't tell which one) via WiFi with your wireless devices.
Something like this: http://www.tp-link.com/lk/products/details/?model=TL-MR3020.

I can buy that for 40 euro's here. And it should work out of the box. I would really prefer that above using a PC for the task.

Kees

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OS/SW for computer internet sharing & wifi hotspot
Aug 24, 2014 2:48PM PDT

yes I have used 2 such devices in past 2 yrs. lot of issues gives problem by end of year as i keep the wifi on for 24 hrs, I need something more sturdy , so thought of using my existing inventory without any further investment.

yes the above router features is what i want to achieve with my existing computer router as such they will be any way wasted.

can you suggest the OS and S/W for such configuration basic idea being sturdy and reliable with 24 hrs usage

I have a CDMA dongle.

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While I think any Linux router setup would be good.
Aug 25, 2014 5:42AM PDT

It could be too challenging for many to setup and maintain.

HOWEVER there is an area/issue I didn't breach which is for Cellular connections I see the carriers drop every connection about once per hour. This issue has prior discussions and may be why your current solutions feel unsturdy.
Bob

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Such a computer ...
Aug 25, 2014 6:11AM PDT

being on continuously uses 2 kWh a day. That's 700 kWh a year. With $0.20 a kWh, that's $140 a year. A $40 dedicated router - even if it only lasts a year - is much cheaper.
But why should it only last a year? Any normal modem/router works for 3 to 5 years at least.

Kees

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It appears you won't be using any LOAF or ROAF.
Aug 24, 2014 5:47AM PDT

You are looking for something ready to use without all the work. Nod to those TP-Links.
Bob

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My interpretation
Oct 17, 2014 12:58AM PDT

1. OS boot time is affected by hardware. SSD will boot faster no matter what OS. So you don't really have much control over that except the newer the OS will usually result in a little better boot times.

2. So i'm interpreting that you don't have an internal wireless and are using a USB wireless adapter. Internal wireless cards usually have a on/off switch or a Control key combination to turn on/off. They are on all time once turn on until turned off. Usually adapters are just always on.

3. You just need to go to the view the available networks connections and add any password and the computer will remember it and automatically connect when it's on.

4. That's the basic operation of any computer if it's turned off when you boot it loads the OS and wireless comes on automatically.

5. Do you mean a screen by monitor or requiring no monitoring?

6. No licenses software but the drivers for the wireless adapter must be installed once. Routers are electrical device and sometime need to be rebooted. To get optimal speed I would reboot periodically anyways.

My interpretation is this is no special type of internet. Typically todays laptops and desktops come with wireless and ethernet cards. Back when duo cores were supreme most desktop didn't have wireless card and adapters were required to use wireless.