----- 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.
