Re: Wireless Networking - Wiring

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 19:40:06 +0000 (UTC), "Ted"
<OnThe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Since the OP is on NTLI.NET, I'll assume it's an ADSL system and not a
cable modem system.

>just get a Broadband Wireless router..........don't bother with the modem.

I beg to differ with that recommendation. I don't like all-in-one
boxes, even if they are cheaper. The problem is flexability, ease of
upgrade, and positioning the access point (radio) antenna. I prefer
something like a hi-fi component system, where the ADSL modem, the
ethernet router, and the wireless access point, are three different
seperate boxes. The ADSL modem is just a brain dead ATM to ethernet
bridge. $15-$60 on eBay. However, if the buyer moves and goes to
some house that has a cable modem, satellite, or WISP broadband
instead of ADSL, then it's easy enough to simply replace the modem
part of the puzzle, leaving the router and wireless parts intact.
Similarly, if the need for complex router features appears (VPN
termination, intrusion detection, hot spot operation, etc), then the
router could be upgraded without affecting the the modem or the
wireless parts of the puzzle. You can get some very fancy routers,
but they're all ethernet only, with no built in wireless. Similarly,
the wireless part of the puzzle is adding new features and acronyms on
a monthly basis. If the latest wireless technology obsoletes the
access point, again it is only necessary to replace the access point,
not the entire conglomeration.

Location is another issue. Wired devices such as modems and ethernet
router tend to congregate where the wires all come together. That's
usually n a basement, closet, under a desk, on the floor, or other
well hidden location.
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/drivel/slides/mess01.html
Unfortunately, such locations are terrible for wireless conectivity.
Ideally, the access point and antenna should be as high in the room as
possible, centrally located in the desired coverage area, and away
from the metallic tangle of wires and cables found around most router
and ethernet switches. With a seperate access point, all that's
required to connect to the ethernet router is a single CAT5 cable and
possibly some AC power. This arrangement also has the supreme
security advantage of allowing the seperate access point to be turned
off when not in use. No need to leave it on if nobody is home or
using the wireless.

Therefore, may I humbly suggest you NOT purchase an all-in-one
conglomeration of modem, router, and wireless, lest you blunder into
one of the aformentioned situations.

>router plugs into main phone socket...........comps talk to the router via
>pci, usb, pmcia, or minipci wireless adapters

Yep. Wireless is bridging and knows nothing about IP addresses,
routeing, or networking. It's literally a replacement for an ethernet
cable. More specifically, 802.11 encapuslates 802.3 ethernet packets
making it essentially an ethernet extension cord.


--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 AE6KS 831-336-2558
.

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