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Mansoor
Mansoor
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I'm thinking of getting rid of my old Asus router working currently as an AP and install a PCIe WiFi card or USB adapter directly into my clearOS box. In this case, clearOS will work as a wireless access point, in addition to the other services it's currently providing, e.g. DHCP, file sharing, plex, etc.

What do you think? Is this a good idea?
Thursday, September 27 2018, 08:42 AM
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  • Accepted Answer

    Thursday, September 27 2018, 10:48 AM - #Permalink
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    Mansoor wrote:
    I originally had the clearOS in gateway mode in order to monitor and control the internet access. But since clearOS proxy does not function in transparent mode (due to the internet services nowadays are mostly secured, https), I think standalone mode is the way to go.
    You can also check out Gateway Management.
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    ZonderMet
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    Thursday, September 27 2018, 10:29 AM - #Permalink
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    Sure, it's a good Idea. You need to manually install the wifi components and change the settings in a file to get it working.
    Last time I used it was years ago.
    Don't mind me. I see Nick has more recent experience.
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    Mansoor
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    Thursday, September 27 2018, 10:11 AM - #Permalink
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    Hmm, in this case I think I'm keeping the old Asus router.

    I'm redoing my home network after retiring the noisy Dell R410 server. I'll operate the new clearOS server (Dell T30) in standalone mode and relinquish the DHCP service to the ISP fiberoptic modem.

    I originally had the clearOS in gateway mode in order to monitor and control the internet access. But since clearOS proxy does not function in transparent mode (due to the internet services nowadays are mostly secured, https), I think standalone mode is the way to go.
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    Thursday, September 27 2018, 09:09 AM - #Permalink
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    I would say, not generally a good idea. Often the ClearOS is not ideally situated for WiFi access and it is much harder to re-position than a router. I would also expect the antenna systems of the WiFi cards to be pretty rudimentary and the Server could shield one side. It is much easier to move an AP with Cat5e/6 cabling than it is to move antennae due to the power losses in antenna cabling. ClearOS itself has only basic support for AP's. You can use 802.11g and possibly 802.11n at 2.4GHz through the webconfig. You would have to configure 802.11n/ac at 5GHz manually. From experience, using a USB dongle has not been brilliant. I bought a 5GHz ac dongle and, because of the RedHat way of doing things, I find it hard to get a driver that will compile and I have not found one that will work (rtl8812au covering a specific USB ID)
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