Setting up a Gateway

What is a gateway?

gateway (n.)

1. An opening or a structure framing an opening, such as an arch, that may be closed by a gate.
2. Something that serves as an entrance or a means of access: a gateway to success; the gateway to the West.
3. Software or hardware that enables communication between computer networks that use different communications protocols. Also called router.

In the SVWUX network design, a gateway is an end node that shares a locally-connected Internet connection with other users on the SVWUX network. Gateways require special configuration beyond a normal 802.11b/g client, and should only be implemented by users who fit the following criteria:

• Knowledge of advanced networking concepts like routing and network address translation
• Ability to connect to the SVWUX almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

What equipment does a gateway need?

A gateway is any device which can associate to an 802.11b/g access point and route traffic coming from that access point to the Internet. There is only one accepted implementations of a gateway on the SVWUX network right now: a Linksys WRT54G that has been flashed with OpenWRT.

What settings does a gateway need?

Gateways should configure their 802.11b/g equipment to associate to an ESSID of svwux with the proper WEP key enabled. (The WEP key is confidential, so ask repeater@svwux.org if you need access to the system.) Once associated, the gateway should configure its assigned static IP address to the 802.11b/g interface and enable routing/NAT between the 802.11b/g interface and the local interface connected to the Internet.

Where in the south bay can I access the SVWUX system?

Please visit the Setting up a Client page for more information about access locations.
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