----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 3:36
PM
Subject: RE: [smartBridges] Questions on
SmartBridge Products
I
was new at this not too long ago, so here is my advice...
Don't get me wrong, Dennis - if you have the patience, go ahead and
offer service to anyone who will provide you with positive net income. I am
just saying that I prefer to go after bigger fish. This has it's risks, too
(bigger customers mean if one goes away, it is a bigger
hit).
As
for your specific needs, you have to do some serious reading, my friend. It
takes a lot of research, and you would be well served to read the archives
from this list and the WISP list (everything).
Let's point you in the right direction...
1.
You can get bandwidth limiting hardware/software. There are people (some on
this list) who can SELL you a solution. Otherwise, do some serious research
and build it yourself, but don't expect anyone to set up your system for free.
There are hundreds of messages about this subject on the WISP list - read the
archives.
2. I
think you are talking about using the airPoint Total as you access point. If
you want to do 360 degrees with a single radio, you will need an airPoint Pro
Outdoor with an external omnidirectional antenna. This will limit the distance
to something shorter than you can reach with other antenna types and may
exclude potential customers (like those close to the tower base). You might
choose three airPoint Pro Outdoor radios, each with an external 120 degree
sector antenna. There are many other options, like sectorized omnis,
splitters, and yes, even 12 aP Totals. Each option has plusses and minuses.
Read the archives, and do your research.
3.
Don't expect to get everything from the sB website itself (which is a
marketing tool, as it should be). You can, however, download the user guides
and application notes for every product they sell. Read everything - twice.
Repeat.
4. I
assume your bridge to your NOC is something other than sB, and probably 5.8.
If not, you have to watch out for potential interference
issues.
5. A
POE Switch/Hub?? Each sB outdoor product comes with a POE adapter called the
PowerShot. Again - website, manual, read, repeat.
6.
Weatherpoof box? Depends on your specific application. If you read the
archives, you will find links to pictures of installs - very
helpful.
7.
You can go from tower to tower from NY to LA if you want to. How to do it is
another question, and will depend on each individual
situation.
Don't get discouraged, but this stuff ain't easy. Pore over manuals,
white papers, and archives. Look at application diagrams. Check out the
competitor's gear (good reference to know what is possible out there -
sometimes you have to mix technologies to get the job
done).
Jason
Jason,
Thanks for the help. You have answered
alot of questions for me. As far as the Bandwidth per user, does
anyone have any suggestions on how to limit this. I'm sure that most
people are setting up T1s and letting 30-50 users run off of that T1.
What about if you are running a T3 and bouncing the signal across three
towers? Are there no bandwidth constraints that users have?
I understand how not to deal with customers
that can't pay for the equipment. That does make sences to me.
I know everyone tells me to get to there
website, but unfortunlly it does not tell you a great deal on the technology
itself and capabilities of the system. Maybe this is cause of there
new enhanced website. Nor does it tell how these units to be
setup.
I have a tower up, with one access point.
This point is also running bridge to recive signal from my main network and
recive whatever bandwidth that I need. I want to cover a full 360 from
this tower, from the specs I see its only 28 degress. Does this mean
to cover 360 I need 12 units to cover a full 360 radius?
Also, how are
you connecting APs. I have found some people are using a POE
Switch/Hub? What about weather, I assuming that everyone is putting a
weatherproof encloser on the tower somewhere with the switch?
Just a FYI, I was planning on feeding several more towers wwith AP to
AP functionality. This is possable correct?
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 2:27
PM
Subject: RE: [smartBridges] Questions
on SmartBridge Products
Do the AirPoints have a bandwidth
limitation setting per user.. I.E. I want each user to have 256 or 512k
bandwidth only.
No.
Radius authencation, is there one built in,
i.e. do I have to use my own radius server?
Yes, your
own.
What kind of range can I get out of a
AirPoint Total? The prices I am getting is around $380 per unit,
is this correct?
20 miles +
(did you read the specs and sB website?). Where are you getting them for
$380, and what qty?
What about installations on customer
homes? I can find the AirBridge Totals for a little under $300.
What else is everyone using to install these?
I generally
use a crescent wrench, drill, and some other tools depending on the
install. Electrical tape, suntan lotion, and Gatorade also come in
handy.
What kind of warrenties are with these
products?
If I wanted to get a 360 radius from my
tower of 150 foot, how many access points would I need?
Need: 1,
Want: ?, need more info
What kind of site survey equipment is best
and simplest to use?
Depends on
personal preference. I like to bring along my portable custom
built rig.
Anyone want to share what they are doing to
help offset customer costs of equipment?
Nothing. I
don't deal with people who can't pay for the install and equip costs -
these are the same folks who want 1.5Mbps for $20/month. Although, I do
eat the cost of electrical tape, suntan lotion, and other
supplies.
Thanx in advance,
Your
welcome.
