[Vidnaut]

Now I know there aren't any skinlinks available (yet or ever officially) for SR5 so it seems like the next best thing for keeping wireless functionality (not the bonus) on is to cripple the broadcasting range of a device to ~1-2 meters for those you want meshed to your PAN but not (as) meshed into the Matrix itself.

What kind of modification would have to be done to a device to achieve these ends?  What kind of test would that entail?  What kind of expense would a runner have to go through to achieve this?

[Novocrane]

I don't find this to hold a functional difference, when the majority of urban areas are almost made up of devices that will act as a mesh network, and littered with far more.

[Reaver]

I honesty don't know if you can do what you are thinking anymore... I believe that has been removed from the game entirely and replaced with either an on or off function for wireless

[Vidnaut]

I don't find this to hold a functional difference, when the majority of urban areas are almost made up of devices that will act as a mesh network, and littered with far more.

Yeah, now that I do a bit more reading it doesn't really solve the "Overmeshing" issue; well, not completely at least in an urban environment.  I can't exactly roll down the street in a giant hamster-faraday-cage-ball without attracting some attention though and having an area jam-session in public is even less palpable.

I honesty don't know if you can do what you are thinking anymore... I believe that has been removed from the game entirely and replaced with either an on or off function for wireless

Technically it's possible but I've been convinced that it isn't a comprehensive solution towards creating the outcome I'm looking to acheive (a wireless, DMZ-style PAN-topography).

[Xenon]

If you don't care about wireless bonus just run wireless OFF and connect whatever devices you need access to with a cable. For example between your Smartgun and your goggles and between your commlink and your data jack.

[Vidnaut]

If you don't care about wireless bonus just run wireless OFF and connect whatever devices you need access to with a cable. For example between your Smartgun and your goggles and between your commlink and your data jack.

If I had considered that a viable solution then I wouldn't have started this topic to begin with.  Wires get cut up or shot apart, they get wrenched out from non-aggressive movements, they get snagged, and, most importantly, they're a huge amount of trouble conceal that many and in obvious positions.  Might as well just do it all through cyber at that point.  A full-wire PAN-mesh is a net negative even compared to just going with a standard wireless Matrix-mesh IMO.

[Xenon]

what/how many devices are we talking about here?

[Vidnaut]

what/how many devices are we talking about here?

Well, if the overmeshing problem is resolved then only the outward-facing commlink needs to be at full signal power.

[Xenon]

what/how many devices are we talking about here?

Well, if the overmeshing problem is resolved then only the outward-facing commlink needs to be at full signal power.

yes of course. but if not?

normally the only device you need connection to would be your smartgun (if you have one).
but a cable between your goggles and your smartgun and you can again shoot it around corners, reduce wind by 1 and get +2 accuracy...

the second device would be your data jack, so that you get wireless DNI to interact with other devices around you. Like experiencing AR.
- but a perfectly viable alternative to that would be to run a cable from your commlink to your image link in your goggles

all your cyberware are already connected internally with a neural interface.


what else do you need to connect to your PAN?

[Vidnaut]

what/how many devices are we talking about here?

Well, if the overmeshing problem is resolved then only the outward-facing commlink needs to be at full signal power.

yes of course. but if not?

normally the only device you need connection to would be your smartgun (if you have one).
but a cable between your goggles and your smartgun and you can again shoot it around corners, reduce wind by 1 and get +2 accuracy...

the second device would be your data jack, so that you get wireless DNI to interact with other devices around you. Like experiencing AR.
- but a perfectly viable alternative to that would be to run a cable from your commlink to your image link in your goggles

all your cyberware are already connected internally with a neural interface.


what else do you need to connect to your PAN?

You're assuming I'm looking only in the context of those with cyber.  Reliance on cyber is not a comprehensive across-the-board solution.  Wire's, as I have outlined below, aren't a viable solution (as I outlined below) or even in the scope of what is discussed.  The point is the wireless PAN-meshed, non-Matrix-mesh topography and ways to achieve that through limiting the propensity for the SR5 Matrix to mesh uncontrollably.

[martinchaen]

Short answer, you can't. Simple as that, given the SR5 matrix topology redesign.

Besides, without Matrix connectivity, what good is interconnectivity between devices? It gives you absolutely zero benefits mechanically, as the wireless bonus refers to Matrix connectivity.

At this point in time, your options are:
1. Wireless on
2. Wired connections
3. Jammer with wireless on and subscribed devices allowed through
4. Wireless off


I for one can't think of other options allowed in Core rules. You can always house rule it until skinlink makes a welcome return as hinted in the Missions FAQ.

[Xenon]

You're assuming ...

I am not assuming anything.
I am just asking about the list of devices you want to connect to your PAN

[ProfessorCirno]

I feel like you're getting really caught up in trying to nitpick apart your own broadcast range for everything, and I really don't understand why.

If your stuff is wireless, it's wireless.
If your stuff is wired, it's wired.

I'm not really sure why you're trying to find some weird grey area where it's wireless but only for you.

[Reaver]

It's the comfort zone of 4e... if your broadcast signal was limited to  say... 3m then a hacker had to be within 10 ft of you..

He's trying to find a similar situation in 5e.