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NerdyNomad · 06-09-2014, 06:14 PM

I'm trying to develop a network that is to be built into my RV.

The basic setup is to have a wireless router inside of the coach that feeds all of my devices. Two separate streams are intended to feed the router. (Cellular Data and Wi-Fi). The idea is to have a system that allows all of my devices to be on a monolithic network while allowing control (via a single point of operation ie. a button or a switch or a mouse click) over which Internet stream feeds the network.

A block diagram will be attached in a second post. This should help illustrate what I'm thinking.

NerdyNomad · 06-09-2014, 06:18 PM

This should work. Lol.

NerdyNomad · 06-09-2014, 06:21 PM

Click image for larger version

Name: ImageUploadedByiRV2 - RV Forum1402359668.694487.jpg
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Wow, did this really work?

NerdyNomad · 06-09-2014, 06:23 PM

WHoly Programmers!!!! Whomever wrote this system is amazing.

That image was uploaded purely thru the iPhone forum app!!!

luvlabs · 06-09-2014, 06:32 PM

What you want is a Pepwave Surf SOHO. The router can accept network signals from USB 4G cellular modems, WIFI as WAN, or a wired input from a network. All of this sits behind a private wired, wireless, or both network.

My primary internet source is my 4G modem with a failover to campground WiFi. It's seamless to devices on my network and it is as secure as you want it to be.

Other manufacturers of these types of systems are Cradlepoint and WiFi Ranger.

Have fun!

NerdyNomad · 06-09-2014, 06:58 PM

Sweet. Thanks LuvLabs. I'll have to do my homework on your suggestion, but it sounds promising.

FlyingDiver · 06-09-2014, 07:01 PM

Or a Cradlepoint MBR95 (or MBR1200). Does about the same as the Pepwave. Has a USB port to put the cell modem in.

You do have to go into the admin web pages if you want to manually switch the connection. Otherwise you can set a failover order and have it switch on it's own. I have ours set to failover from cable modem (WAN ethernet jack) to cell modem (Sprint LTE) to park Wifi.

NerdyNomad · 06-09-2014, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

I have ours set to failover from cable modem (WAN ethernet jack) to cell modem (Sprint LTE) to park Wifi.

Do you look for CGs that have comcast as the cable provider? Or is this order used to encompass home use as well?

FlyingDiver · 06-09-2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NerdyNomad

Do you look for CGs that have comcast as the cable provider? Or is this order used to encompass home use as well?

When possible, for long term stays, we look for locations that have cable internet access available. Our (owned) summer lot at Hearthside Grove has Charter service. We've also wintered at RV resorts in FL and TX that had Comcast or TW service available.

There's nothing special about Comcast in this regard.

spinn · 06-10-2014, 01:57 AM

As FlyingD said products like the Cradlepoint have the ability to have rules defined that will failover from one infrastructure to the next. Rules allow the router to manage connectivity in close to a seamless way

TVforMyRV · 06-10-2014, 04:30 AM

The WiFi Ranger RVPack is a one stop shop for that.

There is a Blog article here about the RVPack, explaining how it accomplishes everything you outlined.

NerdyNomad · 06-10-2014, 09:04 AM

From the little bit of reading that I did on the WiFi Ranger RVPack, it seems that it is more suited towards having the campground wifi as your primary source of feed.

I don't plan on this being the case for me. I don't plan to use CG wifi at all. In my case, wifi is a backup for when I need to do high data count things (download a movie to watch later as an example). In those cases, I intent to park in a hotel or ff restaurant parking lot and use their network. Otherwise, for my average internet needs I will use a cellular data connection.

Thank you though. The RVPack certainly seems like an interesting bit of kit. It just isn't optimized in the places where I need the most performance.

TVforMyRV · 06-10-2014, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NerdyNomad

From the little bit of reading that I did on the WiFi Ranger RVPack, it seems that it is more suited towards having the campground wifi as your primary source of feed.

I don't plan on this being the case for me. I don't plan to use CG wifi at all. In my case, wifi is a backup for when I need to do high data count things (download a movie to watch later as an example). In those cases, I intent to park in a hotel or ff restaurant parking lot and use their network. Otherwise, for my average internet needs I will use a cellular data connection.

Thank you though. The RVPack certainly seems like an interesting bit of kit. It just isn't optimized in the places where I need the most performance.

HHhhhmmm.. Not sure what other optimization you would be looking for on the networking side. The indoor router of the RVPack will handle any cellular data connection whether it is a wired internet connection, as well as many USB Air Cards, the outside router picks up any MiFi or phone generated hotspot or other WiFi sources, while still providing one secure network for all your devices to remain logged into from one place.

You can't hardly get much more convenient networking in the RV, than the WiFi Ranger RVPack.