Re: TOT: computer network question

The thing with wireless networking is that it's great when it works well,
but a real pain when it doesn't. I've installed wireless networking kit in
premises where there are no apparent causes for it to fail and it has been
dire, despite mountingthe wireless router high, away from cordless
phones/microwaves etc and despite there being no obvious additional
metalwork in the fabric of the building. Yet in other cases where some or
all those things exist and you'd expect poor performance, just the opposite
occurs. When the former happens, you can end up spending way too much time
and still not achieve the desired result. Conducting a pre-installation
wireless survey just using a wireless access point/router and a laptop with
wireless LAN capability often helps save time, money and hair :-)

As someone else has said, you can't beat a wired network for reliability and
there's less to worry about in terms of W-LAN security issues too.

Given that this is a new build and you have a clean slate (pun intended), a
double network point in each room would seem logical captain.

For reference, you can also get small plug-in devices in a 13amp plug top
casing which allow existing mains wiring to be used instead of CAT5, such as
the MicroLink from DeVolo. These aren't cheap, but are useful in situatons
where the user doesn't want their property to have additional wiring
installed, and where wireless isn't viable. There are cheaper alternatives
to the DeVolo device(s) too. The advantages of these are that the
connection is a wired one, and that the adapter plugs are portable within
the house and as long as the 13amp sockets being used are on the same
phase - and there are no mains filter devices being used to filter the
sockets being used by the Microlink devices they work well. The downside is
that at present, they don't support the same type of speeds possible with a
wired LAN but they are more than adequate for handling a few simultaneous
connections to broadband Internet via a standard 4 port router. I haven't
tried it, but given that roughly every third property on a typical estate
tends to be on the same mains power phase, it may even be possible for next
door neighbours twice removed to share a common broadband connection this
way. After that, you get into serious geek territory with directional
wireless networks using 'cantenna' devices (modified Pringles tubes work),
but that is another story :-)

Nick




.

Relevant Pages

  • Cant Acess Wireless Networking on Laptop
    ... but networking, specifically wireless networking. ... i don't get the wireless networking icon in the tray. ... there is no icon for a lan connection either. ...
    (alt.internet.wireless)
  • Re: Wireless Access Point
    ... There is an issue with ISA, IAS, and VPN. ... the wireless clients will not authenticate to the network until a user ... but we all know the security issues surrounding Wireless Networking. ... Small Business Server 2003" under Technet's Library path: ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Wireless Networking Magic--OReillys Latest Release via SMTP by phobia.xenitec.on.ca, id smtp
    ... Wireless Networking Magic ... O'Reilly Introduces "Wireless Hacks, Second Edition" ... easily than any other networking technology since the telephone. ...
    (comp.unix.sco.announce)
  • Re: Wireless Access Point
    ... connection, I disconnected the Ethernet cable, turned on the wireless, ... There was no manual configuration on the Vista laptop: ... can be found under the heading of "Configure Wireless Networking on Windows ... Small Business Server 2003" under Technet's Library path: ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.server.sbs)
  • Re: MIMO needs that router & card have it to work?.
    ... The three rules of Wireless Networking ... fortunate that you have any form of connection through 3 floors and 2 ... Checklist of possible interference sources: ...
    (alt.internet.wireless)