dj_ivocha on 13/4/2010 at 23:16
The Nintendo DS can only connect to access points, but not to ad-hoc networks, so I want to configure my wireless adapter to work as an access point. I seem to recall reading somewhere that it's possible, but just can't find any info on how to do it. Anyone have any idea about how to do it? I don't use the dongle for anything else so I don't care if I'll have to install some funky drivers or do any kind of fiddling that will leave it useless for anything else but being an access point for my DS. I don't really need to access the internet with the DS so there is no need to bridge my internet connection either, unless it makes no difference, in which case I might as well do it.
It's a Netgear WG111v3 if it's of any importance.
Matthew on 14/4/2010 at 14:25
I'd be interested in finding out how to do this myself actually, as I had the same dongle and never could quite figure it out.
Al_B on 14/4/2010 at 22:51
Quote Posted by dj_ivocha
It's a Netgear WG111v3 if it's of any importance.
With this type of application unfortunately it is of importance. I say "unfortunately" because I don't think the chipset in that USB adapter (RTL8187) has the necessary support to act in access point master mode. I'm going by the linux wireless page ((
http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/rtl8187) here) in this case so it may be possible by other means but a quick google search didn't turn up anything.
For other adapters another resource that looks promising is the (
http://www.pocketheaven.com/ph/wiki/Ralink_Soft_AP) Ralink soft AP page. They specifically mention using a DS in this way and give a link to a list of supported adapters ((
http://ralink.rapla.net/) here).
One of the things to consider with this is that the DS Lite only supports WEP encryption (although apparently the DSi and DSi XL support everything up to WPA2). This is pretty poor and could pose a security risk on your network. However, if you have one of the latest models and Windows 7 then there may be (
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/%5Bprimary-term%5D/how_turn_your_windows_7_pc_wireless_access_point_connectify) yet another option although I've not tried it myself.
Sorry I can't back these options up with personal experience - hopefully they should at least give a few pointers.
dj_ivocha on 15/4/2010 at 13:19
I have a DS Lite, so Connectify won't work unfortunately, as it doesn't support WEP. A lot of people are asking for WEP support for it, but I don't think it will ever have it, as it appears it's actually using some built-in soft-AP feature of Win7, as opposed to being implemented from scratch. So basically Connectify is just a fancy GUI for (
http://erratasec.blogspot.com/2009/11/windows-7-includes-soft-ap.html) this (or at least I think it is).
And yeah, that Ralink page is exactly where I read about the possibility of a soft-AP solution some time ago, just couldn't find it again last week. I'll ask a few of my buddies if someone has a supported card so I can try and see if it works, but otherwise I might as well just get a cheap WAP from eBay.
