Using the pandora as an wifi-repeater?

[Palmiga]

The idea is using the pandora as an wifi-repater.
I have sometimes problems with the wifi-signal in hotels or apartments.

It would be great, if I could use the pandora with the build in AND an USB-wifi as a wifi-repeater for my laptop or smartphone.

Is it possible?

 

[Linux-SWAT]

At worst, you should be able to do some NAT.

 

[asimov-solensan]

In a regular linux is esily done with hostapd.

In pandora I guess Arch is your best option to get it installed and working.

 

[Linux-SWAT]

Best after Slackware, of course.

 

[Palmiga]

Thanks for your answers, but install a new linux-system is not what i want. Is there a solution for SuperZaxxon?

 

[Linux-SWAT]

Check if you can install hostapd with ipkg (Zaxxon/Angstrom's package manager).

Here's also a NAT script that you can tweak and run, if Zaxxon's kernel has the right modules.
You may also make it more secure.

 

[asimov-solensan]

Indeed slackware may work as well or better than arch. Really I just said arch because came to mind to be a more or less up-to-date alternative ditstro on pandora.

About using stock firmware. I won't advise. Old repositories if not abandoned totally, almost no space left on the flash, conflicts with already installed libraries ...

I talk from experience, I have broken my superzaxxon installation a couple of times plying with opkg.

 

[Linux-SWAT]

Slackware is the only alternate OS having 100% hardware/functionality working :^) .

 

[FBnil]

@Palmiga Your first test is if you can put your Wifi Dongle into "master" (Access PointMode / promiscuous listening) mode:

sudo su
ifconfig
iwconfig --help
iwconfig wlanX
iwconfig wlanX mode master

Where X=0 for internal wifi and X=1 for a USB Wifi.

I did not manage even with my aetheros dongle (neither with the build-in wifi). It could be because iwconfig is an older version and even misses some commands

Unfortunately, to make a bridge... you need brctl (which I could not find for SZ)

 

[notaz]

The internal wifi doesn't support master mode.
As for brctl, I've just built bridge-utils package, try installing it with opkg.

 

[FBnil]

Thank you, @notaz !

opkg update; opkg install bridge-utils

Now for a dongle that DOES support it...

handy link (iw v/s equivalent iwconfig commands):
https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users/documentation/iw/replace-iwconfig

But it seems "master" mode can only be reached with a special userspace program that can be compiled, instructions here (but need to go to bed now, as work is very demanding and need to start at 7 tomorrow):
https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users/Documentation/hostapd

My x86 Debian distro gives a bit more helpful information:

root@devuan:~# iw wlan0 set type master
You need to run a management daemon, e.g. hostapd,
see http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Documentation/hostapd
for more information on how to do that.

While the same USB wifi dongle gives this on the Pandora:

pandy~# iwconfig wlan1 mode master
Error for wireless request "Set Mode" (8B06) :
   SET failed on device wlan1 ; Invalid argument.

All required commands in a row:
https://www.tummy.com/blogs/2004/12/20/using-wds-under-linux/

 

[netcat]

The internal wifi doesn't support master mode.

very disappointing