George Hardesty

Beware of fake / counterfeit versions of Alfa AWUS036H

Sep 022012
 

There are multiple merchants currently selling counterfeit AWUS036H on Google Shopping / Google Product Search!! (Nov. 2012).  We are working with Alfa to bring Google to eliminate those counterfeit items from their search site.

Data Alliance is working with Alfa to increase awareness of a proliferation of fake/counterfeit/phony, low-quality imitations of AWUS036H. The image below-left is an anti-counterfeiting sticker on Alfa AWUS036H-V5 shipped after Feb 12, 2010, to avoid rampant counterfeit of this item on online marketplaces and in Mexico.

During 2012, a company in Guadalajara, Mexico has been selling thousands of fake AWUS036H.   In late 2009/early 2010, Alfa removed five online marketplace listings that were counterfeit Alfa AWUS036H wireless USB adapters. In most cases, the seller’s location was China or Hong Kong.

A fake Alfa product only looks very similar on the outside: On the inside the hardware is inferior, the performance is sub-par, and there is no warranty from Alfa. Here are some tips to help ensure you are buying a genuine Alfa product, and to help keep the market clear of pirated products.

1. Always be sure to purchase from an authorized reseller of Alfa products. Authorized resellers have passed a multi-faceted test with Alfa to ensure they give the best customer service and support, and it also confirms they buy the products directly from Alfa to ensure they are 100% genuine. Alfa will be launching a reseller verification page very soon, but in the meantime you can confirm if a seller is authorized by contacting Alfa directly via their web site.

2. Be cautious of “great deals.” If it is too good to be true, it probably is. All of the removed listings mentioned in paragraph one were selling well below the regular market price. Sellers of pirated items can sell them very cheap because they are not quality items and cost very little to make.

3. When in doubt, contact Alfa directly with a link to the advertisement or web page of the seller. If you have already received a product and want to make sure it is genuine, email Alfa with the name of the place you purchased the item, the date of the sale, the serial number, and MAC address of the item you received.

AWUS036H is the only Alfa model that has been replicated as a fake, as of Sept. 2012.

Counterfeiting of name-brands has been happening with all sorts of technical products. For example, this BusinessWeek article (June 2009) tells about a midsize office supply chain in the US caught selling pirated HP ink products: In this case, they were an otherwise legitimate business but their owner decided to buy from a new “distributor” that offered lower prices than HP direct.

Data Alliance is the authorized distributor for Alfa in the Americas, since January 2007.

 Posted by at 12:14 pm Alfa AWUS036H Tagged with: ,  Comments Off on Beware of fake / counterfeit versions of Alfa AWUS036H

Alfa R36: Easy Setup AWUS036H to provide internet connection for R36 WiFi Router

Aug 192012
 

For latest firmware:  Click here.  Latest firmware can provide a major performance improvement.

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Connect AWUS036H USB WLAN Adapter to the R36 Router USB port with USB cable.

Step 2: Power on the R36 Router and go to the 192.168.2.1 setting webpage.

Step 3: Key in “admin” to both User Name and Password and you will see the homepage as below:

Step 4:  Go to Easy Setup check box you will find 4 types of WAN port connection. 

Step 5:

a) Check the USB Wireless adapter.

b) It will show “Saving” after check USB Wireless adapter

Step 6:  Please click the Site Survey box first. Prepare an available SSID after Site Survey.

Step 7:   a) Click Rescan


b) Scanning

Step 8: Many SSID appear on the Screen and Click Select one (Ex. VAP)

Step 9: It will show SSID and BSSID that AWUS036H going to connect.

Step 10: After click Next check box the screen will show Saving…

Step 11:  Configure the SSID and Security Mode of the R36 Router. (EX. ALFA-Extend)

Step 12:  a) Saving configuration


b) Rebooting after Saving

c) Wizard Success!

Step 13: It will show connected status and USB Wireless Adapter Information.

NOTE:  1. You can Site Survey again and find the R36 Radio (ALFA-Extend)

    2. To avoid USB Wireless Radio interfering you may turn off the radio of R36 Router from Advanced box.

 Posted by at 9:49 pm Alfa R36 Tagged with:  Comments Off on Alfa R36: Easy Setup AWUS036H to provide internet connection for R36 WiFi Router

Alfa R36: Setup 3G dongle to provide Internet connection to R36 USB Wi-Fi Router

Aug 192012
 

If you are using the R36 router with an Alfa USB WiFi adapter, click here

For latest firmware:  Click here.  Latest firmware can provide a major performance improvement.

Step 1: Connect 3G USB Dongle to the R36 Router USB port.

Step 2: Power on the R36 Router and go to the 192.168.2.1 setting webpage.

Step 3: Key in “admin” to both User Name and Password and you will see the homepage as below: 

Step 4:

Go to Easy Setup check box you will find 4 types of WAN port connection.

 

Step 5:

a.) Check the 3G dongle.

b.) It will show “Saving” after check USB Wireless adapter 

Step 6:

a) Please check the Enable Box

b) Click Ok to enter the Pin Code.

c) Allow ActiveX control download 

d) Key in Pin Code

Step 7:

a) Click next after Enter the Pin Code

b) It will show Warning. Click OK

c) Saving configuration

Step 8:  Configure the SSID and Security Mode of the R36 Router. (EX. ALFA-3G)

Step 9:

a) Saving configuration

b) Rebooting after Saving

c) Wizard Success!

Step 10:

It will show connected status and Other Information.

NOTICE:

1. You can go to Advance box to check WAN more settings

2. It is useful to reboot system when you have the 3G connection problem

 Posted by at 9:49 pm Alfa R36 Tagged with:  Comments Off on Alfa R36: Setup 3G dongle to provide Internet connection to R36 USB Wi-Fi Router

Use USB cable(s) to place WiFi adapter outside for line-of-site (negligible signal loss in cable)

Aug 192012
 

USB CABLES for WiFi Adapters are a much better choice than standard coax Antenna Cables because  antenna cables (coax) lose a lot of signal-strength.  USB cables lose little signal: Hardly any, in comparison.

Antenna cables – the type that go between a WiFi device and an antenna – are “coaxial” type cables:  These coaxial cables lose a significant amount of the WiFi signal in every meter of coax cable (1/2 to 1 dBi per meter is typical).

SOLUTION for loss of signal in antenna cable

USB CABLES offerings:  Photos & summaries of all options

Other USB Extension cables:

WATERPROOF connections:  To waterproof USB connections that might be exposed to rain, sea mist, etc: 

DETAILS:

  • “Active” USB cables lose only about 2.1% of signal per five meters – and so provides much more signal strength from your USB wireless adapter, compared to using coax antenna cables.

Other benefits

  • USB cables are simple:  Not confusing like antenna cables’ confusing connectors.
  • USB extension cables have many alternative, practical uses if you later do not need it for your WiFi adapter.

POWER to USB device:   Transmitters need power. More power results in greater range. It is critical that the transceiver receives enough power to do its job. Some (older) laptops do not provide enough power via a (single) USB port. Drawing power from multiple ports can be a solution. Also using high quality USB cables and keeping cable runs short helps. Alternative, one needs to provide an external source of power.

 

 Posted by at 7:18 pm Add-ons / upgrades to make longer-range connections w/ USB WiFi adapters, USB cables & extenders Tagged with:  Comments Off on Use USB cable(s) to place WiFi adapter outside for line-of-site (negligible signal loss in cable)

Mounts for USB WiFi Adapter: Place high, in line of sight

Aug 192012
 

Set the USB WiFi adapter outdoors or on a window, where it can receive and transmit WiFi signals much better.  You can gain direct line-of-site to your target wireless access point through better placement of the USB adapter and its antenna, using USB extension cables.


These mounts & enclosures are compatible with all the Alfa USB WiFi adapters, including  AWUS036H, AWUS036NH, AWUS052NH

USB EXTENSION CABLES


 
 Posted by at 6:18 pm Add-ons / upgrades to make longer-range connections w/ USB WiFi adapters Tagged with:  Comments Off on Mounts for USB WiFi Adapter: Place high, in line of sight

R36 latest firmware: Download here / how to change firmware

Aug 172012
 

Please download the latest firmware here

Instructions for changing R36 firmware 

We have an older version of the firmware from 2012:   But there is a danger in installing this older firmware – don’t install this unless you know what you are doing:  It may brick your R36:  But if you need that older firmware for some reason:  Click here and then, when the page appears, click on the R36 firmware, to download.

 Posted by at 9:19 pm Alfa R36 Tagged with:  Comments Off on R36 latest firmware: Download here / how to change firmware

Legal & Illegal Frequencies & Channels

Aug 112012
 

4.9GHz to 5.825LEGAL & ILLEGAL FREQUENCIES IN THE BAND 4.9GHz to 5.825   (United States only)

Channel Frequency United States
(MHz) 40/20 MHz [17 ]
183 4915 ILLEGAL
184 4920 ILLEGAL
185 4925 ILLEGAL
187 4935 ILLEGAL
188 4940 ILLEGAL
189 4945 ILLEGAL
192 4960 ILLEGAL
196 4980 ILLEGAL
7 5035 ILLEGAL
8 5040 ILLEGAL
9 5045 ILLEGAL
11 5055 ILLEGAL
12 5060 ILLEGAL
16 5080 ILLEGAL
34 5170 ILLEGAL
36 5180 LEGAL
38 5190 ILLEGAL
40 5200 LEGAL
42 5210 ILLEGAL
44 5220 LEGAL
46 5230 ILLEGAL
48 5240 LEGAL
52 5260 LEGAL
56 5280 LEGAL
60 5300 LEGAL
64 5320 LEGAL
100 5500 LEGAL
104 5520 LEGAL
108 5540 LEGAL
112 LEGAL
116 5580 LEGAL
120 5600 ILLEGAL
124 5620 ILLEGAL
128 5640 ILLEGAL
132 5660 ILLEGAL
136 5680 LEGAL
140 5700 LEGAL
149 5745 LEGAL
153 5765 LEGAL
157 5785 LEGAL
161 5805 LEGAL
165 5825 LEGAL

2.4GHz: 802.11g&b2.4GHz (802.11g/b) is legal in all countries, but note the following:

  • Channels 1-12 are legal in the United States
  • Channels 13-14 are illegal to use in the United States

3.65GHz and 4.9GHz3.65ghz works on a registration system:  The application fee for a nationwide 3.65 GHz license is less than $300.

The 3.65 GHz band is non-exclusive and, therefore, interference is a concern, but it is not an unlicensed band in the true meaning of the word, since licensing and registration is required to use 3.65.   Once a license is obtained, every base station operating under that license must be registered in a national database.  This encourages coordination among operators to reduce interference.

4.9GHz is reserved for public safety applications.

Notice for US CustomersCustomers purchasing equipment with 5GHz (802.11A) capabilities: IMPORTANT to read this:

Customer agrees to, and assumes responsibility for, use of only legal bandwidth frequencies. Please review this page of frequencies that are legal and illegal in the United States, in the range of 4.9 to 5.85GHz.

Ubiquiti 5GHz equipment (M5 / AirMax):  Starting in May 2011, Ubiquiti is designating two versions, each with different firmware US and World.  The part# ends with either “US” or “World.”  The US version firmware will have restrictions to use only in the legal frequency bands/channels.

Customers who purchase for use in the United States:

  • We strongly recommend and encourage you to buy only the US versions, which have firmware programmed to work only on the legal frequencies.
  • If you buy the World version for use in the United States:  The act of your purchase is your acknowledgement of your agreement and intention to use only legal frequency bands.
 Posted by at 10:12 am Frequency Bands: LTE, GSM, WiMax & WiFi 802.11 standards Tagged with: ,  Comments Off on Legal & Illegal Frequencies & Channels

OpenWRT: Enable sophisticated features on a very low-cost AP / router.

Aug 102012
 
  • OpenWRT is a Linux-based firmware that is an alternative to the manufacturer’s firmware.
  • OpenWRT is free (it is actively developed as Open Source software) and yet it has most of the sophisticated features that one would expect in a high-end router.
  • OpenWRT comes pre-installed on the AP-WRT by Data Alliance, which is based on the HornetUB64 board by Alfa Network .
  • Open-WRT is an evolution from DD-WRT, which runs on the Linksys WRT54G:  This LinkSys model was manufactured from about 2002 and this model was discontinued by Cisco LinkSys around 2006.
Benefits (if supported by the router hardware)

Open-WRT has almost every feature one could ask for or will ever need – features often only found on “enterprise” routers like Cisco and MikroTik – but with a GUI.  Open-WRT is arguably the best operating system for a SOHO AP/router (small office / home office)

  •  Use all the hardware’s capabilities:  Full  control of your router hardware – not just what the manufacturer allows.
  • Create multiple wireless networks, multiple SSIDs. For example:  Create a guest access WLAN.
  • Create multiple physical networks, using VLAN techniques: You can create a separate network for the neighbor, your kids computers or those game consoles that need all ports forwarded and you just cannot trust.
  • Use standard IP tables for firewall and packet (QoS) marking / tagging rules.
  • Apply QoS using advanced packet shaping and policing techniques
  • Install additional software on your broadband router to make it a web server, bit-torrent client or audio streamer for example, or all of that and more.
  • Probably more secure than standard firmware.
    • Because it is open source, it is probably more secure and better in respect to your privacy than the stock firmware from the factory:  There are legions of developers looking at the same OpenWrt code.
    • See also “Millions” of Home Routers Vulnerable To Web Hack.
  •  PPoE client / DSL client: Solve limitations/restrictions of DSL modems, simplify, & save IPs
    • Reduce number of public IP addresses required by 1 or 2.
    • Assign your 1 public/static IP to your SOHO router rather than your DSL router
    • RDP access behind DSL modems that block RDP (Terminal Services / RDC)
  •  OpenWRT Default IP address on some versions it is: 192.168.1.1/24 and on others it is 192.168.2.1/24
  • WiFi is disabled by default
  • Find and download the latest kernel here
 Posted by at 11:54 pm Open-WRT Tagged with:  Comments Off on OpenWRT: Enable sophisticated features on a very low-cost AP / router.

802.11B is still relevant for long-distance links

Aug 102012
 

If you are trying to reach a distant or weak network signal for internet access:

 802.11b will provide better range/distance than 802.11g, and

 802.11b provides plenty of bandwidth for internet access at broadband-speed

 For longer-distance links, your wireless card/USB adapter will automatically select a lower-bandwidth data-rate:  Therefore will automatically select 802.11b mode

Updated Aug. 11, 2012:  This information is still relevant at this time:  Because the vast majority of WiFi hotspots and private access points are still 802.11B/G, and therefore you do not gain any advantage by using a 802.11n (wireless-N) adapter:  In fact you would lose some signal strength by using a wireless adapter that’s made for wireless-N,
on a 802.11B/G network.

Many people assume that 802.11g mode is better than 802.11b for their situation.  However:

If range matters more than bandwidth requirements, run your card/adapter in 802.11b mode:  802.11b has better range and
penetration.  Its throughput will degrade less with the same distance and obstacles.   This scenario is applicable for internet access for web-surfing and email access:  If you are using the connection just for web-surfing and email access, your bandwidth bottleneck is the Internet connection – not the “B” bandwidth.   If you are using the connection for local-area networking that requires a lot of bandwidth (file-sharing, streaming media on the local network), then you should use 802.11g mode or 802.11n mode.

An 802.11g access point will support clients operating in either 802.11b or 802.11g mode. Similarly, a laptop with an
802.11g card is able to access 802.11b access points as well as 802.11g access points.  802.11b and g clients (cards) automatically select the best data rate, based on available signal strength.  For longer-distance links, a lower data-rate will be selected.  Therefore, for longer distance links or links that have some obstruction (no clear line of sight), there is no added benefit in having an 802.11g client as compared to an 802.11b client. The selected data rate will be either 1, 2, 5.5 or 11 Mbps:  The rate selected is influenced by signal-strength factors such as the distance between the access point and client-radio, and the degree of openness of the line-of-sight, versus obstruction of the line-of-sight by any type of object.  For the longest-distance links, the lowest data rate will be selected, and for the short-distance links with no obstructions, the highest data rate will be selected. 

Many major WiFi implementations, such as municipality-wide and in apartment complexes, use 802.11b in network
implementations:   The reasons are: 

 1.  G requires use of three different channels simultaneously, and the network implementation may have a constraint to
not lock up three channels

 2.  B is fast enough and lower-cost (with actual throughput of 1 to 6 Mbps exceeding the Internet connection speed).

 3.  Any B client on an 802.11g network will force the access point to operate in B mode, so that the bandwidth
advantages of G are nullified.

802.11b equipment can transmit data-frames at rates up to 11 Mbps, and the network protocol overhead reduces the
actual/net data-transmission rate to 5-6 Mbps.   

A laptop’s battery-charge will last longer with 802.11b, because it consumes less power than either 802.11g or 802.11a.

by George Hardesty, Data Alliance Inc..  Last updated August 11, 2012

 Posted by at 9:40 pm Frequency Bands: LTE, GSM, WiMax & WiFi 802.11 standards Tagged with:  Comments Off on 802.11B is still relevant for long-distance links
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