PlanetMan

wow! we don't have wifi for common use on the ground yet we have it on the air. i would love to have wifi at my house

WiFi cards for laptops and desktops are commonly available in Bangkok.

What we REALLY lack is a decent broadband internet connection at affordable price.

I'm currently working a contract in California. I get 4 Mbps downstream via cable modem for about 1,600 THB/month (USD 40). It is screaming fast! Nothing like anything I've seen, heard of or fantasized about in LOS.

Cheers

Thanks for posting this, George.

What a load of Balls, the guy was obviousy trying to make a fast Buck   maybe not so bright, but clever enough to hide the pills? How you can enliken his actions to so called prisoners abroad who are so called innocent? let them be left to rot. Anyone who puts the life of another human in jepody, what ever the cause. Let them suffer. Be it Drugs or Relgion, no one has the right.   20 quid, I wouldnt even give 20 pence

Anyone who makes blanket generalizations based upon a cursory understanding of a subset of the facts is a maroon!

###### and TVC, thank you.

Mr. Siam WiFi.  Which Linux distribution r U using?  I thought IPTables was strictly a firewall can it be used to authenticate users as well - for ex. when a user launches IE and it tries to access the Internet, does it direct them 1st to a page where they have to authenticate a user id?  Kinda like NoCautAuth but the problem with NoCat is that it uses a pop up window to to keep the user connected - it won't work with pop up blockers.

thanks

JJ,

Short answer is "NoCatAuth". See NoCat for the whole story. This is what we use.

Overview of how NoCat works:

1) Request from unauthenticated user comes to the gateway.

2) NoCat (on access point running Linux) checks to see is there a path through the firewall (iptables) for the IP + MAC of the request.

3) if path through firewall exists, request is forward. If not, request is redirected to the authentication server (NoCatAuth running on a remote server) to get user's credentials.

4) depending on result of authentication NoCatAuth assigns class of service to user, sends iptables rule to gateway for this user, redirects to initial request.

Our gateway/access point is a generic x86 single board computer from Soekris Engineering (USA, but similar boxen are widely available. For example, the Via mini-ITX can be bought in Thailand from Thai-Way. (thai-way.) Linux is current version of Pebble, which is debian distro.

You are correct, NoCat "out of the box" requires popups, although this can be finessed.

Cheers

Dear SAMWIFI,  Can you tell me how I can limit access speeed over a wireless network using Linksys equipment?

Hi Mouse,

Monty mentions Wingate, but I'm unaware of it. SiamWiFi use iptables in a Linux distribution. It works well, we can throttle bandwidth on a per-class basis, wherein each user is assigned a class of service (based on their user name) which specifies the connection speed, among other things.

It's non-trivial to set up, but we have a linux guru who pulls rabbits out of hats and bodily orafices

We chose linux because it is widely support, robust (required fopr a commercial application) and secure (ditto.)

Some Linksys access points uses linux under the hood, and there are hacks published on the Internet that walk through the procedure. Again, non-trivial, but anyone who speaks linux should be able to follow the bouncing ball. Google returns abour 20,00 links. One of 'em must be right

Cheers

Use the Meshbox ISO, www.locustworld.com

./P

Or Mono. Or NoCat. Or Pebble. There are many more.

To provide a secure HotSpot (meaning no unauthorized access) requires 2 components. One is an Access Point which can be manipulated in some way to deny unauthorized use, and second is a way to authenticate potential users.

If more detailed access control is required, such as per-minute or pay-per-use billing, or if more than a single HotSpot will be provided, both the AP and the authentication component need to be so enabled.

The web sites listed provide reams of discussion and input on different approaches. Impossible to adequately summarize such a broad topic in a single post or diatribe. I'm usually available to chat about it. Get a beer down my neck and I'll just babble on and on.

Cheers

Planetman: understood, but with a dual radio system (as the one i'm testing) the high power links are more for the backbone meshing rather than the client hotspots.

If that is how it has to be done, it is possible, but it does complicate the frequency plan a bit. You can probably find a good discussion about having dual WiFi cards in a AP Seattle Wireless; worth a read if you plan to go down that path.

If there is any way to cable 'em together it will make the overall system more robust and it will have better overall throughput (until it gets to CAT . But if it isn't possible, too bad.

I see your avatar says "Siam wifi" - your business ?

./P

Yup. PM me if your retail establishment is interested to host a HotSpot. Or kindly read Hosting a Siam WiFi HotSpot.

Cheers

Some of the Linksys equipment has an ADSL modem built-in. For example, the wireless (802.11a/b/g) access points

What do you think of Wireless-G Broadband Gateway - 802.11g 4-port Router/Print Server by IOGEAR.

It doesn't appear to me that the IOGEAR kit has a built-in ADSL modem. And I don't recall seeing this brand (IOGEAR) in Thailand. Are you able to find it here?

Also, nowhere on the web page you mention does IOGEAR use the term "WiFi". "WiFi" means the product has passed interoperability testing, and is guaranteed to work with WiFi certified cards from any vendor. Because the IOGEAR kit is not WiFi certified, it may have difficulty working with non-IOGEAR cards. If for whatever reason you really like this kit, I suggest you get the vendor to confirm WiFi certification.

This may be less important if it is intended to serve a closed user group over which you can stipulate that IOGEAR 802.11 client cards will be used.

If it was me, I would demand WiFi certification. But that's me. The reason is that WiFi certified kit is widely available, very affordable, and gives you more flexibility. Also, some of the WiFi kit (D-Link for sure, others probably) can give double throghput if the AP and client card are from the same vendor. But cards from other vendors are nonetheless supported.

Cheers

JJDinsay:

The Senao cards mentioned above are also quite good, even they are rated at 200mw, they can be pushed up.

./P

phazey,

The Senao cards are excellent, although I think it would be unadvisable to use them in a condo residential environment. The problem is that at such high power the clients might step on each other. Depends on how many clients are expected and usage patterns, but regardless this would be less of a problem at lower power.

Better to increase the number of (relatively low power) Access Points and assign channels to reduce interference. Managing the channel assignments will be one of the more difficult aspects to get right. Good luck.

Cheers

Hi,

I come to thailand often on a tourist visa (i dont work in thailand, so I dont have a workers permit).  But I do need to use my laptop and really would like to have high-speed intenet access on it. 

The only hotels that offer high speed cost about 100+ dollars a night. I was thinking that maybe I can get a wireless card for my laptop, but then learned that unless i have a workers permit visa, I am pretty much out of luck.

What are my options?

I stay mostly in Pattaya, but also on occasion I stay in BKK.

Thanks in advance...

Jeffrap,

You can get noname Taiwan PCMCIA cards at Pantip or elsewhere for under 2000 Baht. If you travel, you can get even a better price on name brand kit (Linksys, 3com, NetGear) in Hongkong, Singapore, US, heck almost anywhere else. It all should play nice together as long as it is "IEEE802.11b" or "IEEE802.11g" and has a "WiFi" symbol on it.

About "high speed Internet", fuhgeddaboudit. You might find, and probably pay out the wazoo for a fast local connection, wired or wireless, but to get to the Internet you'll still pass through CAT, and neither of us can afford a pipe to the Internet that fat.

Cheers

Does anybody know how the legal status is of wireless equipment in Thailand?

I thought to have read that their law is based on the European regulations, wich for example states  a maximum radiated power of 20dbm.

Now when i see at the website of Bangkokwireless that they started to market outdoor antennas with a gain of 24dbi. This would mean that even on the lowest powersetting of my AP (Lynksys wap11) I would be illegal!

I also thought that outdoor use was prohibited.

I do also think it'll be very hard to find illegal stations, at least I hope so since I have a 4km wireless bridge up and running

I see the Bangkokwireless guys have a 3.2 km link somewhere ( not very hard using two 19dbi antennas   I use two 17dbi patches, lot more discreet and still get 11mbps even during heavy rain! (microwaves really don't like humidity)

Any feedback welcome

Maybe the siamwifi guys???

Monty

Hey Monty,

Like most laws in Thailand, what they be depends on who you ask The folks at bangkokwireless.net tell me that, technically, all wireless devices in LOS need type approval. Some of the 802.11 kit has gotten such approval, but most not. This requirement isn't commonly enforced, which always scares me a bit. (Well is it a law, or not?)

Most of the kit at Pantip et al is 802.11b, although some g is appearing. 802.11a is personna non grata in LOS; no 5 GHz spectrum available here. 30 mW cards are most common, although a shop on Lad Phrao sells the Senao 200mW cards (you might have to ask for it specifically.)

Net net, I think you'll be OK to do what you want, but be a good wireless citizen, no more power than you need, use good antennas and cables, and if you are farang, keep a low profile.

The folks at bangkokwireless.net are great. Think they are in Samui right now unwiring a resort. PM me if you want a contact there. Also, I'm interested in the distance link you have. Is it a hop across Bangkok, or upcountry?

Cheers

Georgie Porgie is Ulysses G. - he is suspended, but allowed to post under a different nick, with the admins full knowledge! Many people have asked fo his IP to be checked to varify he is the same poster - no feed back from admin.

...[blah]

...[blah]

...[blah]

C'mon now, "gentleman"... Aren't YOU "Ulysses TG"? Hmmm...? "TG"--as in "The Gentleman"??

I always look forward to posts from Membrane because I am completely unable to figure out the source of his avatar. A 9 year old 34 D (deepest respect intended, but she could ruin my marriage) or excellent video editing? Inquiring minds wanna know

And every single one of my TVC posts is attributed to PlanetMan

Cheers

PlanetMan wrote :

Some of the Linksys equipment has an ADSL modem built-in. For example, the wireless (802.11a/b/g) access points

which ones exactly (model numbers)?

Well, darn, maybe I'm wrong aboput Linksys. It appears from the Linksys web site that to have WiFi and a modem one must purchase 2 separate boxen. E. G., the BEFCMU10 (cable/DSL modem) and WRT54G (WiFi router/AP).

If a LAN is available rather than a cable or DSSL modem, then the WRT54G would suffice all by itself.

NetGear does have a combined box, though. The DG834G. "Combines modem, router, switch, 802.11g access point, and SPI True Firewall." Might have to order from US, HK or Singapore. NetGear has

I'll post others is I find them.

Cheers

Don't they have all these campaigns for the wrong reasons? Why don't they have a campaign because stuff is healthy? It's only there because there is oversupply. What BS is that? Or maybe it's chicken flu?

Yeah, that's the ticket. We should all start drinking chicken milk

Cheers

chingy,

I went to Pantip today to buy the modem. I had intended to buy the D-Link 500G adsl modem, as I had planned on setting up a wireless network with all D-Link stuff, but I got so much negative feedback from at least 3 shops about the modem, that I decided to give d-Link a miss i.e. did not buy a modem today.

So for the moment I am back to doing research and am currently looking at Linksys (owned by Cisco) and hope to make a decision in the next day or so.

The Linksys kit is excellent for home use. It is very affordable; full-featured; widely supported, both by Linksys and by a large commuity of users; it also allows some hacking to extend the capabilities.

In Thailand, one of the prinicple advantages is that a purchase of Linksys kit is less likely to require post-sale support or return trips to the seller.

Some of the Linksys equipment has an ADSL modem built-in. For example, the wireless (802.11a/b/g) access points.

Cheers

Hi IT,

Sure you're right , in belgium it was actually 4.2 klm.

B

xDSL often is advertised to work up to 18,000 feet (~5.5 km) from the Telephone Central Office. The speed or throughput actually provided declines as the distance increases. Different service providers will cite different distances depending upon the speed they are promoting, or on their awareness of the quality of cable infrastructure, central office equipment age and maintenance. I suupose the capabilities of the support staff also should be taken into account.

In Thailand, the continuing existence of a monopoly provider of international bandwidth (CAT) keeps prices so high that ISPs concentrate the heck out of the traffic so that they can achieve a sellable price point. Throughput is almost always disappointing, but YMMV.

I second et33.com, wireless is the way to go for local loop broadband. Be watching for wireless broadband offerings, either as WiFi Hotspots, or WiMAX. Regardless, one still must grapple ultimately with CAT for international access.

Cheers

I wrote this a couple of years ago:

Vegetarian Food in Thailand

<snip>

</snip>

© Me. ;-)

Many thanks for an excellent contribution, Chanchao.

Also, please remember that around the first 10 days of October every year is some kind of vegetarian festival where many, many food shops, stalls and restaurants display the little yellow flags to indicate they sell vegetarian food. Anyone know what is this festival called?

There is a wonderful vegan restaurant in the area behind the TG Head Office building on Vibhavadii Rangsit between Lad Phrao and Sutthisan. Not sure, maybe that is Soi 16 restaurant Khun Fitch reported. Very good food, all you can eat, 65 THB.

Cheers

yeah...I know the small place you're talking about across from the pier in Huntington. Can't remember the name but went there loads of times.

I have been racking my brain for a week trying to sort this out. I went to this place many times in the early 80s, before the pier area was renovated. Think the place was across a little parking lot from what is now (or was as of a couple years ago) Papa Joes right on PCH. Entered the place from the alley/parking lot. Way dividsh, but they always had some cool cats laying it down. I remember seeing Robben Ford a couple times, and Larry Carlton.

Was the name of the place The Golden Bear?

We keep a townhouse overlooking Bolsa Chica, but don't get back there much since we rented it out a few years ago. The whole HB Pier area is very livable now, since the renovation. Especially liked the Friday afternoon market when Main street was closed from PCH to the post Office. Do a little knick knack shopping while sipping a latte, then pop into Longboarders for some big-boy drinks. Yummy.

Cheers

What is the difference between a range extender and an antennae? They seem to do the same thing. If I wanted to connect people in a dorm setting and leave the AP's in a long corridor running about 100+ feet should I use an entennae or a range extender?

Dear JJ,

The answer with wireless always is "it depends." In this case the answer also could be neither. The cost of AP is pretty low, depending on your requirements and on the overall architecture.

PM me if you want to discuss. (I travel to the US tomorrow so kindly be patient.)

Cheers,

Thaiquila, I wish you were right.

But what happens if they produce bin Laden in October?

Some strange news there, a big force is gathering in the area where he is supposed to be and Iran said, they got him already??

Perhaps this deserves its own thread. But if the Bushies caught OBL, do you think we would ever hear about it?

No, no, no, no. Hear me out.

Consider the underwhelming global accolades, as well as the military consequences in Iraq when Saddam's capture was announced. NOt exactly a ringing endorsement of bagging the big game.

Consider that GWB has built his entire presidency on being the "War on Terrorism™ President. If OBL were caught, many would declare the WOT over and GWB no longer necessary (humor me.)

Consider how much money has been thrown at the military-industrial complex to aid the WOT. Think any of them would want to report quarterly earnings after the war ended? Anyone out there want to be holding shares when the capture was announced?

Consider the grief Bush has taken for his administration's treament of all the faceless, nameless detainees^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^HEnemy Combatants in Guantanamo. OBL incarcerated would be a spectacle, bloody Theatre, that. Magazine covers, Larry King Live interviews from Camp X, Johnny Cochran press releases, a Jesse Jackson humanitarian visit, Geraldo Rivera groping OBL's beard in search of the Holy Grail, Billy Crystal hosting a Roast.

Can you even imagine what some of the world's loonies, er, more committed individuals would do to express their displeasure or satisfaction at OBL's capture? The mind boggles at the potential for mayhem and carnage. On the way home from success in Iraq and Afganistan, GWB asks the troops to stop off in Pyongyang. Surprise the h3ll out Kim Jong Il. (Bush to Roh: "Sorry about the brief, if devastating DPRK artillery raining down on Seoul. It's for the Greater Good, y'see.") Think the deaths caused by suicide bombers is appalling? What happens when a whole country straps one on? Thank God there is water on Mars, the 20 million dollar space tourists would come out of the bleeding woodwork.

Maintaining the status quo looks better and better to GWB and his sycophants and sophists.

Having OBL behind bars would be Bush's worst nightmare. OBL is far more valuable as a relentlessly (and interminably) pursued focus of our fear. Review Orwell's Animal Farm for a refresher.

No, my friends, OBL's capture will not be reported unless and until GWB is a lame duck.

But that's me.

Cheers

You got it right.

What we need is a GENOCIDE.

Golly, gee. Genocide. Now there's a program (pogrom?) right thinking people everywhere could get behind.

Reality is for people who can't handle drugs.

Cheers

You can ban multiple periods ... if you like, some places do.

I have allready banned my GF from this practice.

She is only ever allowed one period per month.

and absolutely no less!

As for the Democrat "tax and spend" issue, well, perhaps you ought to re-examine recent history. Under Reagan and Bush the US went from the largest creditor nation in the world to the largest debtor nation. Perhaps you fail to recall one of the reasons Bush was not re-elected was because although he promised no new taxes he then implemented new taxes. Under Clinton the national deficit was eliminated and the debt was being brought down. Under GWB we have set records in spending. And our debt now breaks records again.

SBK,

Hope this is not inescapably flame-bait, but I would like to point out that many historians now accept that Reagan's deficit was a successful strategic gambit specifically intended to limit Congress' ability to spend money. Arguably it was by limiting the growth in government spending, combined with large tax cuts, that Reagan can claim some measure of credit for the booming economy Clinton inherited. Credit for much of the rest of the 90's boom belongs to Greenspan and maybe a bit to Rubin. Oh, and Marc Andreeson ;-) Clinton was off dating the volunteer staff.

Now if one were to point out that GWB is no Reagan, you'd get no argument from me ;-)

Cheers

Oh, to be a sheep in a flock with such a shepard.

Beam me up Scotty. No intelligent life here.