Using a KR2 as a WiFi "Client" question

marinerjoe

First off, I'm a KR2 noob, having ordered my KR2 from 3GSTORE.COM on Thursday, and it arrived today. That's what I call SUPERB service.

I purchased my KR2 so I could use it for two functions:

1. To take my PCMCIA Verizon air card and share the connection with my ACN video phone (which it does GREAT).

2. To receive a WiFi signal, from a hotel or a Starbucks (or wherever I get it for free), and share the Internet connection via one of the ports to my video phone. Kind of like how the cradlepoints can take a wireless signal and share that through the ethernet connection.

I've searched this forum and have been unsuccessful in finding what I'm looking for. Is what I'm trying to do even possible with a KR2?

BTW, I'm running the 1.0.03 firmware. I'm surprised it didn't ship with the v1.0.04 loaded, but it is on the disk that came with the unit. I'll hold @ 1.0.03 for now.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Joe

Michael · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:05 pm Post subject:

Hello,

Thanks for being a 3Gstore.com customer!

#2 is NOT a built-in feature, so this will NOT work. We have been suggesting this exact feature to CradlePoint for many months, but as of today - no way to do what you are asking.
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marinerjoe · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 4:16 am Post subject:

Michael,

Thanks for the rapid response. I appreciate this level of service more than you would imagine.

Do you have any suggestions as to how to try to influence Cradlepoint to enable this feature? Am I correct in presuming that other Cradlepoint devices will do exactly that?

The other question is - if Cradlepoint implements the feature, withh Kyocera no longer marketing the KR2, is it a dead issue? Is v1.0.04 the last version that will be released, even though there has been some discussion here about the vxx.05 that's needed to resolve some other issues?

Thanks again & Happy Easter,

Joe

Alex · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:22 am Post subject:

you're going to need to:

a) switch from pcmcia to expresscard or usb modem
b) switch to a cradlepoint mbr1000 instead of kr2
c) email/beg cradlepoint for the 'WiFi as WAN' feature: suggestions@cradlepoint.com
d) email them again and again. use different email addresses.
e) get your ACN buddies and other friends to do the same.

FYI, all cradlepoint's currently support "WDS", but that feature requires the cooperation of the owner of other router and thats not always possible.

imho, there is very little chance that any other model of cradlepoint aside from mbr1000 will ever see the WiFi as WAN feature.

we no longer have an 'inside' contact at kyocera. he has left them.
our suspicion is that the kr2 will receive no future updates.
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marinerjoe · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:45 am Post subject:

Alex,

Thanks for the response, even if it's NOT the one I wanted to hear.

Just so I'm clear, do NONE of the other cradlepoints act as a WiFi client? I'm going to hang on to the KR2 myself as changing to an express card is not in the offing right now, but there's a (albeit remote) possibility that I could get another device just for the WiFi capability.

Joe

Michael · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:21 am Post subject:

Alex · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:28 am Post subject:

marinerjoe · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

If I REALLY had to have a WiFi connection vice my Air Card, I could do what I'd been doing, and fire up my notebook, and then share the WiFi out the ethernet port to run the video phone. I was hoping that the KR2 (or a Cradlepoint) would have saved me from having to run the notebook.

So the feature or device I'm looking for is a WiFi Bridge? Is that what'll receive an "open" WiFi signal and share it out the ethernet port?

BTW, I do like the fact that the KR2 comes up VERY quickly and the air card is ready to go in a very short time.

Joe

Alex · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:45 am Post subject:

orbitalcomp · EVDO User Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 78 Location: Texas

Yeah, an ethernet bridge would work fine for what you are trying to do. I have used a few of these over the years with multiple routers, and they work great. I even currently use a Buffalo Ethernet Bridge WLI-TX4-G54HP with my PHS300 to give it four ports when needed.

That would be great if Cradlepoint could add this feature into the MBR1000...