Good WLAN card and good AP

ch1vas

Hi all,

I'm getting used with Wireshark and would like to get a WLAN card for my desktop to use with Wireshark. As of now I'm only connected through Ethernet.
I also need an Access Point as the reception in my bedroom is very very weak.

Can you recommend anything in particular?
My budget is around $100 maybe $150 if it's really worth the money.

Thank you,

Asif Dasl

I've had good luck with Alfa Network WLAN USB adapters. You can get a USB extension cable if you want to get a better signal and they are quite sensitive. They pick up a lot of my neighbours wireless signals more than any adapter I have used so far. I got a few on eBay.

As far as an access point get something with a threaded antenna that way you can replace the antenna with something better (for example).

ch1vas

Asif Dasl wrote: »

I've had good luck with Alfa Network WLAN USB adapters. You can get a USB extension cable if you want to get a better signal and they are quite sensitive.

I might be wrong, but I think Wire Shark doesn't support USB Wlan adapters?

Any suggestions on internal WLAN cards?

**EDIT**

Or let me formulate my question regarding WLAN adapter different....
If you had to buy equipment for the one and only purpose to learn WireShark, what would you get? I have Desktops and Laptops at home, but unfortunately Wire Shark doesn't recognize my laptops wlan card and my desktops don't have wlan (yet).
I also have a laptop with Linux on it, if that makes a difference. But same thing, Wire Shark won't recognize the WLAN card in it.

Thanks,

Asif Dasl

Actually your right, there is a way around it though. Seemingly the AirPcap adapters can be captured in Windows though. Maybe others can suggest an internal WLAN card as I always tend to use an external USB adapter...

Hypntick

I'm going to second the Alfa card. It will be picked up by Wireshark and i've done a good bit of packet captures with the antenna. You can also convert the Alfa into a WAP if you need that capacity as well. Not sure how the newer models that support the N band perform, but the older A/B/G one has worked out just fine for me. Also for a cost on Amazon of $25 you really can't beat it.

ch1vas

To sum it up ; Alfa Network USB WLAN adapters will work just fine with Wire Shark? If yes, I found what I want . Ok I almost found it.. still have to dig through hundreds of different Alfa Adapters . But I'm leaning towards the
[h=1]ALFA USB WiFi AWUS036NHA[/h]
And for the Access Point, I'll just look for something with a threaded antenna.

Asif Dasl

My Alfa AWUS036NH is being picked up in Wireshark after a restart as a "Microsoft" device. It's capturing data as we speak.

ch1vas

Just placed an order at Amazon for ALFA USB WiFi AWUS036NHA. $36 (shipping included). Now the waiting time for the mail begins .

Thanks for your help, and if anyone knows a good Access Point, still glad for any information.
I'm also considering on replacing my crapy wlan router completely instead of adding an Access Point.
So any suggestions regarding Access Points or WLAN Routers are welcome still.

Hypntick

You can turn an alfa card into a wap, however if you need something ethernet based, a nice model for a decent price is a Ubiquiti. Can get them for around 100 bucks, just if your switch isn't POE you'll need an injector.

ch1vas

Hypntick wrote: »

You can turn an alfa card into a wap, however if you need something ethernet based, a nice model for a decent price is a Ubiquiti. Can get them for around 100 bucks, just if your switch isn't POE you'll need an injector.

I want to use the Alfa Card for Wire Shark and such only. The reason why I'd like a better WLAN router or AP is because the WLAN signal is close to 0 in my bedroom. Thus I'd like to have an AP somewhere in between the Router and my bedroom.

WafflesAndRootbeer

Take a look at this on the WireShark Wiki.

DevilWAH

I was just about to post a questions about home Access points, can any one suggest some decent models. I was hoping to find one that has an inbuilt switch. so can turn a single rj45 socket in to 4 wired sockets and a WAP.

Cheers and hope this is not hijacking to much.

WafflesAndRootbeer

Many routers have AP modes but you can also just buy powerline - that means they plug into your electrical system - wireless adapters that can be configured as APs. APs as a separate thing are pretty much dead on the consumer side these days so few APs exist now that there are other solutions.

Asif Dasl

@Devil - I'm using a TP-LINK TL-WA801ND, it's fine as a basic AP, no switch however - few have a switch these days unless it's a router too.. I'm a little surprised at the reviews because it's not hard to set up at all but maybe you might think of hooking it up with a smart switch? It's got 4 SSID's with VLANS, perfect for guest wireless access.

I think the OP should consider setting up a man-in-the-middle AP and wireshark server. That's what I've done at home in preperation of going through the Wireshark University course. I'm using a Netgear GS108T to port mirror the AP to a little ITX NAS Server I've got running Wireshark with. It works perfect. I even drew a diagram of it!

DevilWAH

Asif Dasl wrote: »

@Devil - I'm using a TP-LINK TL-WA801ND, it's fine as a basic AP, no switch however - few have a switch these days unless it's a router too.. I'm a little surprised at the reviews because it's not hard to set up at all but maybe you might think of hooking it up with a smart switch? It's got 4 SSID's with VLANS, perfect for guest wireless access.

I was actual looking at this or the 901 model and it looks good, good the hear some first hand experince of it.
Cheers