[H-GEN] 3G router with OpenWRT

[Nick Kwiatkowski]

Gavin Duley wrote on 31/03/2009 11:01:11 AM:
>
> I can plug the USB modem into a router that has a USB port and is
> running OpenWRT, and get it to route internet traffic over the 3G
> link. As far as clients are concerned, they are just connecting via a
> standard router (wireless or wired). If I then want to use 3G
> broadband "on the road", I could shut the router down and unplug the
> USB modem.
>

I have with the netcomm N3G002W, it is a 3G router, that takes both USB and
datacard modems. Use it on client sites for when we have colleagues that
don't have wireless datacard / modem already. Typically we swap to who ever
has an available modem. So the unit works well with vodafone, telstra and
optus - both for USB and for datacard / pcmcia cards.

Details of the unit can be found here:
http://www.netcomm.com.au/products/3g/n3g002w

> Anyone here had any experience of trying anything similar? Did it
> work? Would the net connection be good enough to use for VoIP?
>

To be honest haven't tried VoIP, so can give you an answer. There is a
latency hit with using 3G wireles (about 120ms) to be aware of. Then again
that is how Virgin's home phone + broadband is done.

> Alternatively, are there any other better ideas I should be looking
> at? Something like the D-LINK DIR-451 would also seem to be a good
> option, but I'm hoping to spend a bit less than that on the router...

The list price is $199, but only paid around $160 for it (umart at milton I
think).

Cheers,

Nik

Nickolas Kwiatkowski
Senior IT Architect (Certified)
Architecture Services
Global Business Services - Application Services
IBM Global Services, Brisbane, Australia
phone:  07 3213 2149,  mobile:  0412 121 276,  email:  nickolas at au1.ibm.com
"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" - Albert Einstein