SparkLAN WPER-116GN - miniPCIe Wireless card supporting AP mode!

Hello,
if you are searching for miniPCI-e Wi-Fi card, which can be used in "AP-mode" (I wanted to create "mobile wireless router" on my laptop - lanparties, sharing of connection, ...), I can recommend SparkLAN WPER-116GN.

Supports 802.11b/g/n (2,4 GHz-only, 1 antenna, 40 MHz), changing of MAC adress, better sensitivity than Intel 5100AGN and with Ralink's utility can be run the SoftAP function. The SoftAP is supported by most of cards with Ralink chipset (so you aren't limited to SparkLAN). Maybe it will possible to find some 2,4/5 GHz hybrid (I didn't search it, I don't use it indoor - useless for me).

Real performance of this card in outdoor (with 8dBi omni-directional antenna) is better than Intel 5100AGN (which is useable only in 802.11/b-mode; there are drops of connection ni 802.11/g).
But when is the signal strenght enough and AP/router supports 802.11/n in higher configuration, the Intel's card is better (because of two antennas).

I'm posting it there, because I was searching some card like this almost half of year and I have tried a lot of cards by Intel (worst drivers posibilities under Win - no MAC change ability, limited usage of 802.11/n in ad-hoc mode, ...), Atheros (should support AP mode, but didn't; drivers couldn't run under Win with enabled PAE), but only the Ralink chipset was the right (change MAC adress, better sensitivity and performance outdoor on worse signal strenght + support of AP mode).
I hope than this post will help someone, who is searching and trying as I did few months ago.

If anyone has any question - ask.


Regards,


JK

 

What operating system does your computer have on it. It sounds like it is not windows 7 by the way you are going on about Intel cards that work great.

 

The Intel's bad performance on worse signal strenght doesn't seem to be OS/drivers-related feature. In my personal comparisons I had both cards set on highest power settings and detected APs in inSSIDer (5 minutes up).
Ralink with one antenna was able to detect 27 APs, Intel with two antennas detected "only" 21. Intel detects something about signal -90 dBm, Ralink is able to find something at -95 dBm.
Value of negotiated link speed is different, Ralink shows higher link speed and also is faster and more stable (real speed, ping).
As I said - indoor, good signal (about -75 dBm and better), higher "n" mode => Intel, outdoor, worse/poor signal, usage of non-standard features => Ralink.
But yes, I don't have Win7, is it strange? (I have Win Server 2003 Standard R2 x86 with XP drivers.)

Regards,


JK

 

It's not strange but on Win 7 Soft-AP works very good so you wouldn't have to worry about that much.
Another thing is that Intel 5100 is in fact quite a bad card even though it's very similar to Intel 5300 which on the other hand is very good.

So most of you problems setting that up are connected to unlucky combination of hardware and software. That said- good to hear that you've succeeded. I agree that Ralink is pretty good.

 

[OT]
Does the Win7's AP function work even on Intel's cards?
AFAIK the card must support "Master mode" by hardware. Hm, maybe the times are changing
[/OT]

 

I think they got around this by creating virtual Wi-Fi card- Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter is what actually works as a Soft-AP while your actual card is just a piece of hardware that transmits and receives radio signals.
This way it works regardless of driver-options of the actual Wi-Fi card.
Although I haven't researched it so I may be wrong or it may be more to the story.

 

I use a program called connectify with my 5100. There are only two intel cards that work with it in AP mode. The 5100 and 5300 and you need the more current drivers. This program allows my son and girlfriend to hook up with there book readers. Intel has the my wifi also. It is supported at different levels depending on which intel card you have. It probably works best with the intel 1000, 6200 and 6300. Here is the page to there compatible devices.
Connectify Support :: Knowledge Base :: Supported Cards & Devices

 

Hi JejKey,

for 3 weeks now, i have being trying to use this module as an access point but it is not working for me. can you tell me what are the steps you follow to setup the access point?

thanks a head

 

Which OS do you have?
Anyway, you need Ralink Wireless Utility - Ralink corp. (first link)
Install, run, turn the radio on.
Right click on icon in systray and select Switch to AP mode:


Then you can select the WAN interface (optional):

This will enable Microsoft ICS (Internet Connection Sharing), DHCP server and disable Windows Zero Configuration Tool.

Wait a moment, until the Ralink Wireless Utility re-appear in AP mode. Click on the first icon on left and you are in configuration of the AP:



The second icon on left is for Advanced settings:

 

first thank you for the response.
my OS is linux (kernel-2.6.30). and i am using this module in an embedded system so no GUI
i have the driver from the Ralink web site but it doesn't support AP mode. so no way to use hostapd.

any idea.

 

Huh, sorry, I'm 100% Linux noob and I really don't know, what could help you.

Maybe these links?
https://launchpad.net/~markus-tisoft/+archive/rt3090/+packages
http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Drivers/rt2800pci