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-----Original Message----- From: Matt Plahtinsky [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:17 AM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Wireless Network I was told today that I'm going to be setting up a wireless network in two days. I'm a server guy so I'm a little rusty at this. Here is a description of the work, then I have a few questions. We will be about 45 users connected to the wireless network. All users will be doing web based data entry and some light printing. They will all be within close proximity in a relativity open room. Here goes the questions...... 1. With only doing web browsing do you think one access point should be enough? Without testing the load I know this is not really a good question... but is there a general rule of thumb? RF: Depends upon what you choose. There are different throughputs for each of the standard protocol. This chart might help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11a 2. If I need to add more access points how do I get them to work on the same network? Same SSID? That's one way to do it. You could also use an enterprise level solution (which right now appears to be too much) that would utilize a WLAN controller. This would allow (or could force) all WAPs to communicate through it. 3. If I have multiple wireless AP's do I want them on different channels but same SSID? or Same Channel and same SSID? Yes, Different channels so you don't talk over anyone else. This might help. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_WLAN_channels Also, there is a diagram that I can't seem to find, that shows how to install manage multiple WAPs with no overlapping channels. 4. Is there an advantage to getting an Cisco Aironet vs say a Linksys for a small deploy like this if I don't need to centrally manage them and don't need all the extra bells and whistles. You'll probably find different opinions with a question like that. However, in an enterprise/corporate environment, I've always chosen to use corporate/enterprise level tools. IMHO, most Linksys wireless devices found at BestBuy/Circuit City, don't fit that bill. 5. IP addresses and roaming... How best to do this if I go the Linksys route? Again, depends upon what mfg you choose. Can't help you on the Linksys stuff - sorry. Ok I see I need to do a bit of reading Most mfgs will have a tremendous amount of reading material. If you want a reliable and secure solution, just throwing up a WAP isn't going to help. The wireless LAN should be no different than implementing a wired infrastructure - proper planning will always pay off. Good Luck! Thanks for any input Matt ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~ ~ Upgrade to Next Generation Antispam/Antivirus with Ninja! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbelt-software.com/SunbeltMessagingNinja.cfm> ~
