Asus travel WiFi / 3G router WL-330N3G review for MorphOS users that wants WiFi!

Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rARIV5hVng

With the Asus travel WiFi / 3G router WL-330N3G, you can connect your MorphOS 3 computer to any WiFi spot. This is especially handy for PowerBook users.

Step 1:
Connect the WiFi router to TP (comes with the package) connector and USB (also comes with the package and gives power to the device)

Step 2:
Open 192.168.1.1 in OWB or any other suitable browser for MorphOS

Step 3:
Choose Network adapter and the WiFi spot you want use. Connect

Step 4:
Now you should be able to see a box showing you DHCP details. Then go to MorphOS Preferences and choose Network. Your previous DHCP data might be stored. Click manual, save.. then go back and choose DHCP and save... Now everything should be fine. Even when you boot MorphOS 3 machine, the Asus WiFi adapter will hold the settings. So, this is just one time fiddling.

If you want to change the WiFi spot, goto the DHCP address that you've got OR press the button on the Asus WiFi adapter for few seconds. Then you will be able to connect to 192.168.1.1 again.

This works 100% for me. I've tested it with my MacMini G4 and my PowerBook G4. The speed is also good! So, until MorphOS gets Airport support. This is a good thing. Also! This have a good antenna. Also! This one supports 3G adapters! You can also buy a version without 3G which costs a bit less.

If you live in Norway, you can buy it for 380,- NOK, which is about 50,- euros!
http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.aspx?sku=746267

Happy WiFi browsing!

[ Edited by MorphDelf 29.06.2012 - 10:03 ]

Just some additional note:

If you don´t need 3G yet or in the future, then you can save some money by just getting the ASUS WL330-gE.

It is basically the same device, just a little bit smaller and cheaper. Just take care it is the "gE" model. Other models do not support all common wifi standards and encryptions. However the "gE" Model does not support the latest "N" standard as well, but most personal hotspots don´t, too so not a big deal and you still can connect with a little less speed.

In Germany it is available for around 35 Euros, even cheaper if you fiind it on ebay.

Geit


[ Edited by geit 29.06.2012 - 10:29 ]

@Geit

You can save even more space/money with the LB-Link BL-MP01. It's slightly larger than a disposable cigarette lighter, and only £11.18 inc delivery (Ebay). The only downside is it's delivered from from Hong Kong, so took 3 weeks to arrive. It does support 11n (as well as g and b), has a WPS button, and works in 'router', 'access point' and 'client' modes (client being the relevant one here).

Power consumption is <500mA so runs off a single USB port (networking is via the LAN port, power from USB).
Comes with a retractable lan cable on a spool aswell.

[ Edited by boot_wb 29.06.2012 - 09:41 ]

16$ here from china

http://www.alsotao.com/product/16829708167/B-LINK%20-%20Link%20BL-MP01%20mini%20wireless%20router%20-%20AP%20Qihe

Can we just use the built-in wi-fi in the Mac Mini G4 2.5GHz?

@WeiXing3D,
Quote:


MorphOS3.0 does not support any wireless devices directly, which is why you see this thread and others suggesting all of the many different wireless bridges, or other types of alternatives which provide a remote Ethernet connection. I am sure the MorphOS Dev. Team is working on some kind of wireless networking, either with the built-in AirPort Extreme contained within the 1.5GHz G4 MacMini, or any of the supported G4 PowerBook's, or they might first support the previously discussed Atheros5000 CardBus wireless NIC's.

As for the 2.5GHz MacMini you mentioned in your posting, unless it is a typographical error and you meant the 1.5GHz G4 MacMini, then you are talking about the newer Intel MacMini, which can run at 2.5GHz, but is not MorphOS compatible, as MorphOS only runs on PPC architecture at this point in time.

Although I already had bought a NetGear WNCE2001-100NAR to provide wireless networking for my G4 PowerBook while running MorphOS3.0, I have decided to use that device on another computer and have purchased the more expensive TP-Link that is battery powered, so it draws zero power from the G4 PowerBook's USB port while providing wireless networking to my MorphOS3.0 computer.

[ Edited by amigadave 29.06.2012 - 22:30 ]

> I am sure the MorphOS Dev. Team is working on some kind of wireless
> networking, either with the built-in AirPort Extreme contained within
> the 1.5GHz G4 MacMini, or any of the supported G4 PowerBook's, or they
> might first support the previously discussed Atheros5000 CardBus
> wireless NIC's.

It has been stated numerous times by MorphOS Team members that WiFi via CardBus/PCMCIA would come first, and that support for AirPort Extreme was planned but work on this had not even started yet.

https://morph.zone/modules/newbb_plus/viewtopic.php?forum=14&topic_id=5875&start=344

I got the Asus model today. Figured that I will have other uses for it anyway, so it wont be wasted later on.

Anyway, first thing I noticed after unboxing was the "twin-USB" power cable. First thought was "Oh sh... Did anyone actually test this on PowerBook?" (I guess everyone knows that PowerBooks have really low power USB ports, I have even USB memory stick that requires a powered hub with PowerBook) - and to make things worse, the USB ports are on the opposite sides, making it harder to connect such twin-USB cables.

Anyway, it turned out that one is actually enough, even with PowerBook. Phew! (Maybe one is not enough with 3G, has anyone tried?) - Theres a separate USB power adapter too, if needed.

Addendum:

> It has been stated numerous times by MorphOS Team members that [...] support
> for AirPort Extreme was planned but work on this had not even started yet.

Interesting information contained therein:

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.a1k.org/forum/showpost.php?p=564607

Update:

> Interesting information contained therein:
> http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.a1k.org/forum/showpost.php?p=564607

Apparently, the part about AirPort Extreme support coming with MorphOS 3.2 was a misinformation (by MorphOS IRC channel regulars?). That's what MorphOS Team member geit said two weeks ago:

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.amiga-news.de/de/news/comments/274952.html

Hi, i have just bought one from Amazon and it is a very nice one. It seems to be mandatory to strictly follow step 4 in order to save the configuration. Thank you!

boot_wb,
Quote:
I can recommend another very small and cheap 150M router/ap/client: http://uk.tp-link.com/products/details/?categoryid=241&model=TL-WR702N
It usually goes for about 15-20 EUR at regular shops (e.g. amazon) and works reliably with my Powerbook both with MorphOS and OS X. On MorphOS it takes about 40s-60s after boot up til Network is available though, while on OS X it's instantly available after boot up. The antenna is pretty good. With the TP link router I get a far more reliable signal than with the inbuild Airport (at the roof terrace with teh Airport there's usually no signal, while the TP link works good). Requires _one_ usb port for power, but comes also with a ac/usb brick (which is always handy to have and included in that ridiculous low price).

I have a D-link DWL-G122 I was hoping to be able to use on my Mac Mini G4 1.5 with MorphOS. Anyone know if it supported? Havent bought MorhpOS yet...

> I have a D-link DWL-G122 I was hoping to be able to use on my
> Mac Mini G4 1.5 with MorphOS. Anyone know if it supported?

It isn't, as far as I know.

Is there a list somewhere stating which usb wifi's that are supported with mac mini?

TomKeric,
Quote:
No usb wifi sticks are supported by MorphOS yet. The trick to use WLAN now is to use tiny wifi routers/APs/_clients_ that are powered by usb and provide connectivity by ethernet. No driver needed as the router does all the WLAN things and the computer just sees the local ethernet.
In future we may see WLAN support inbuild in MorphOS, but it's not there yet. The workaround with those tiny routers is okay. It's not as small as a WLAN usb stick and adds a little cabling, but worls good and is very versatile.

Ordered the BL-MP01 for 19$ and free shipping to Sweden at dealextreme.com

Thats cheap to fix a wifi for your Mac Mini with MorphOS.

Thanks for explaining and helping out

Ok I got the delivery of the minirouter BL-MP01 now. Seems it took just abot 20 days to get it.

There is 3 different modes to select on it via a slide button on the side. Not sure which mode to choose. Anyone knows?

Would be easier to answer if you quoted those options. I guess the switch is for the device behaviour. If so, chose "client".

Quote:

I received mine too, but i can't get it to work. Whatever i try it won't accept my wpa2 key, i tried setting it up on the powerbook and also on a windows machine and a mac and it's always the same, once i enter the key it goes back asking it again. I have no trouble with any of the 10+ devices connect to my wifi including computers, telephones, tablet, blu ray player, htpc, etc but this mini router won't connect for some unknown reason. The very poorly translated from the chinese interface doesn't help much...

EDIT : i finally managed to connect using WPS, weird.
First impression on the device is that the wireless range is not that good, i have much more coverage from my other wifi devices, but well it's still very handy, at least i can move the powerbook off my desk now : )

[ Edited by SoundSquare 12.03.2013 - 12:21 ]

Any reason to buy BL-MP01 instead of BL-MP02?

jPV,
Quote:

no, get the one you can get : )

@zylesia - thanks. Client it is. Will let you know how it works when I get there.


Right now I am moving forward on partitioning the mac mini as I want to keep the OSX on a small partition. I understood I need to create the partition by running Ubuntu on a CD, then run the MorhpOS install and manually partition it for the MorphOS disk format. Ay one care to confirm this?

> I understood I need to create the partition by running Ubuntu on a CD, then run the
> MorhpOS install and manually partition it for the MorphOS disk format. Ay one care
> to confirm this?

If your OSX is 10.5 you don't need any Linux for setting up or resizing partitions. If it's a lower version you do need it indeed for shrinking the OSX partition if wanted. http://library.morph.zone/Dual-boot_MorphOS_and_MacOS_X_on_a_Mac_Mini_G4 has all the info.

Hmm, I swore I ordered a BL-MP01 via a link from here on Ebay...

...got my card today and it's a BL_LW06, same as the auction said. Dang it, wasted money I did not have. Bah!