I am working to build a LAN on my RV.

The reason is that my wife and I am still working.

We both work for the same company.  We both have laptops.  Occasionally, we work at home.

When we work at home, we connect to our home LAN, which consists of a Linksys Router connected via Bellsouth DSL.  There is no issue with this sort of connection.  The work laptops recognize the WAN connection and connect without issue.

On the RV, my personal laptop utilizes a wireless  card using SPRINTpcs service.  That connectivity is adequate for my needs.  The work laptops are locked down and will not permit any changes to their profiles.  I can not connect the work laptops via the card because I can not install the drivers and files necessary to use the wireless cards.  We both need to be connected simultaneously like we do at home.

My idea is to use my personal laptop as the internet connection and share it with the two work laptops.

I've tried setting up a LAN on the RV by using a switch and connecting all three laptops to a switch.  Each of the laptops can "see" each other.  I am able to ping each of them.  While connected, I am able to activate my Internet connection and surf normally on my personal laptop.  I've tried setting up Internet Connection Sharing.  All three laptops are running XP Pro.  But, the two work laptops can not see the Internet Connection.

Since all I do is "plug and play" at home, I believe I should be able to set up the RV LAN the same way.  But, I just don't possess the technological savvy to understand the roadblocks.

I welcome all comments, thoughts, ideas  and advice I can get.

I'm confused to what your trying to accomplish, of course I stay confused

This might help you with your problem,

3G Phoebus (MB6000)

Highly Integrated 3G/Wi-Fi Router Solution

http://www.topglobalusa.com/product2_01.asp?newsid=20031114093603324&classid=102103102

This is a router that uses the aircard !

-- Edited by ken and cindy at 21:26, 2006-08-31

-- Edited by ken and cindy at 20:58, 2006-09-01

There are wireless routers available now that allow you to insert the air card in them. They then use that as the WAN and appear to the laptops as a normal AP. I would look at some of the cell phone forums for more info. Assuming that your work laptops allow wireless connections this should work fine.

What Jack said,...

However, I think I have seen this before. Are both "work" laptops connected via ethernet cable to the linksys router? If that is correct then there may be a variety of firewall issues as well as connection issues.

If you find a router that allows the air card to be the contact point, then plug the laptops into the router. I suspect that normal XP does not play well as an access point. Since the work laptops are "locked down", sharing an internet connection may not work.

If you can feed your signal from the air card via your personal PC to a normal "switch" you may be okay, but using your PC as a router will be problematic. Even if it did work, slower than cold syrup on a winter morning will be your new motto.

I will do a little reseatch and let you know what I find out.

Mike

In the scenario I described, XP is not acting as an AP. The air card supplies the internet connection - the router acts as a normal wireless router/AP. The router is a "special" router - it has a PC Card slot to accept the air card. The laptops know nothing of this - they simply connect to the Ap via the normal wireless technology built in. Thus, unless the work laptops have locked out the wireless radio, they will work fine. On edit: here is a link to the type of router I am talking about Kyocera EVDO router

-- Edited by Jack Mayer at 10:57, 2006-09-01

Hey,

I found this router that states it can use an air card and provide 4 wired ports. No promises, and your mileage may vary.

A link can be found here.

Not sure but may do the job.

Mike

Edited to correct link

Edited to add price, Kyocera store states 249.95 after rebate.

-- Edited by mikeway at 12:16, 2006-09-04

-- Edited by mikeway at 12:20, 2006-09-04

Hi All:

First, the answer:  Yes, all three pcs are connected to my switch via ethernet cables.

Second:  I went to the Kyocera site.  $700 seems too steep for the solution.  If that's the only answer, then I' guess I'll have to continue being a weekend warrior.

Third thought.  Could I be using the wrong connection device?  Should I be using a hub instead of a switch?

Should I be using a router with the pc containing the air card as my WAN souce?  I tried it but couldn't ping it from the locked down pcs.  The locked down ones work perfectly in my home setup.  So, I feel like I've got a configuration issue.

I've looked around for books to help me learn Internet Connection Sharing better.  But, I haven't had any luck.

I seems like if I go through the setup to share the Internet Connection, the other PCs should be able to see it.  I got the impression that XP was set up to do that automatically.

Thanks to all for your continued support as I work through this.

If you click the link in my post above, you will see the price is way under $700 -- $269.

Using the router in the link should allow you to plug in all the computers to the inbuilt switch, or use it wireless.

-- Edited by Jack Mayer at 20:27, 2006-09-04

Looks like I'm going to spring for the Kyocera KR-1.

 

I"ll let you know how it turns out.

 

 

 

Eureka !!

Thanks to your exscellent advice, I now have LAN connectiviy.

I bought the Kyocera KR-1 from cyberguys.com.  There was not special bargains.  I ended up spending $269 plus shipping for about $282.

But, all three pcs work fine, depending on the mobile service in the area.  In Jacksonville, I have EVDO service available.  So, my connection speed is nearly the same as my DSL service at home. woohoo.  In areas with EVDO, I have considerably slower service.  But it works.  In roaming areas, I generally don't have service.  This is due to roaming arrangements between Sprint and the other carriers.

I also have a bonus.  The KR-1 is a wireless router.  So, I can sit outside and connect wirelessly.  Plus, for my neighbors, they are able to piggyback on my service as well.  I suppose that makes me a little be better neighbor.

It may not be Datastorm, but I don't have to worry about trees.  And my total setup is under $300.  Plus I pay $49 for unlimited Data from Sprint thanks to my working for a major bank and my DSL account, which gives me access through Bellsouth, is $37.

Maybe someday, I'll be a Datastormer.  But, for now I'm satisfied.

Thanks to everyone who helped me get connected.

 

Kevin