[olug] Wireless LAN

[JWLUCAS at up.com]

Different people are going to have different opinions as to what is or is
not available and I hope that the dialogue has been informative.  This is
my last contribution to the information flow.  802.16 addresses a number of
offerings which already exist from many vendors who provide fixed wireless
broadband access. These implementations are primarily for point to point
implementations . The cost can go from very inexpensive to high priced
depending upon the vendor and the features and functions which are
provided.  It is certainly possible to use 802.11 as a standard for access.

However, in my opinion there is a difference between using a transport
medium for your own personal access versus something that you are providing
to someone else on a commercial basis.  We have a number of 802.11
implementations which are used for LANs and we are in scramble mode
attempting to find reasonable security augments for these LANs.  Although I
don't recommend using this as a commercial access method, I can
legitimately see why others may have a different opinion.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:  Eric
Subject:  Re: [olug] Wireless LAN

http://wirelessman.org

802.16 is meant as a broadband connection like DSL or cable modems. The
standard won't be finished until January 2002 at the earliest.  They
have almost finished the MAC layer.  There are proprietary technologies
that can do this type of thing but hte cost is very prohibitive.
802.16 is looking at 2 ranges of frequencies 2-11 GHz and 10-66 GHz.
Why they overlap is beyond me right now.  802.11b is 11 Mbps at 2.4 GHz
and 802.11a is 52 Mbps at 5 GHz.  I don't know what the proposed speeds
are for 802.16.  They are trying to use the good parts of 802.11 in
this standard though so the hardware can be quickly implemented and get
to market.  I don't expect this to take off for another 3 years though
since 802.11a is coming, unless security of the wireless infrastructure
takes precendence or companies can start making a profit from
broadband.

Eric
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:  Jerry

I acknowledge the point that Eric makes and also need to provide a point of
clarification.  Although I think of 802.11 as simply a mobile LAN, you are
right  it can provide access to the Internet.  As far as 802.16 is
concerned, it is my understanding that this simply is a collection of the
fixed wireless technologies which are in place today and have been provided
for years so there are commercial products that do exist at various
frequencies.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

From:
Eric Penne

To:   olug at bstc.net
Subject:  Re: [olug] Wireless LAN

I disagree that 802.11b is not the solution for high speed access.
802.11 is the only wireless standard that is feasible right now and for
the next 2 years.  802.16 is still in draft and there is no hardware
available.  802.11 is also supported in linux, has hardware available,
and is getting cheaper.

There are some security and freeloading problems but nothing that can't
be overcome with some already available tools in linux.

Eric Penne

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jerry


I would suggest that wireless LANs such as those that meet the 802.11b
or a
standard can connect building or a campus but are not the solution for
high
speed access. That is what the 802.16 or fixed wireless access is
about. If
companies or landlords etc. in the area have sufficient interest in
such
solutions this is not a difficult thing to accomplish

------------------------------------------------------------------------
From:  Eric
Subject:  Re: [olug] Wireless LAN

http://wirelessman.org

802.16 is meant as a broadband connection like DSL or cable modems. The
standard won't be finished until January 2002 at the earliest.  They
have almost finished the MAC layer.  There are proprietary technologies
that can do this type of thing but hte cost is very prohibitive.
802.16 is looking at 2 ranges of frequencies 2-11 GHz and 10-66 GHz.
Why they overlap is beyond me right now.  802.11b is 11 Mbps at 2.4 GHz
and 802.11a is 52 Mbps at 5 GHz.  I don't know what the proposed speeds
are for 802.16.  They are trying to use the good parts of 802.11 in
this standard though so the hardware can be quickly implemented and get
to market.  I don't expect this to take off for another 3 years though
since 802.11a is coming, unless security of the wireless infrastructure
takes precendence or companies can start making a profit from
broadband.

Eric

------------------------------------------------------------------------

From:  Jerry

I would suggest that wireless LANs such as those that meet the 802.11b or a
standard can connect building or a campus but are not the solution for high
speed access. That is what the 802.16 or fixed wireless access is about. If
companies or landlords etc. in the area have sufficient interest in such
solutions this is not a difficult thing to accomplish




"Chad S. Lauritsen" <csl at perfectionlearning.com> on 09/22/2001 07:55:24 PM
Subject:  [olug] Wireless LAN


Hi,

A while back there were some threads regarding 802.11 wireless networking.
I
have never played with it, but I had a question maybe some of you could
answer.

Would it be possible for an apartment landlord to use it to provide
high-speed
internet to tenants? (To avoid retrofitting Cat-V in the walls.)
Specifically, can it travel through the walls reliably
enough to a central router connected via, say T1 access? Or does it really
have
to have a _visually_ non-obstructed line-of-sight?

Thanks,
Chad

--
Chad Lauritsen                          | 1000 N 2nd Ave
System Administrator                    | Logan, IA 51546
Perfection Learning Corporation         | 712-644-2831 Ext 223


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