5ghz Wireless Network

[azev]

Hi fellow Networkers, I am in the market of getting one of the new 5GHZ Wirelees network in my Office and maybe some of you can give me any inputs. We have about 20 users and 10 in and out of the office. The office is not very big but 2 stories, so I might get 2 of the wireless access point. Well, I dont need one with the router abilites, just WAP. Now my question is, there are many of this option, netgear, linksys just come up with new stuff and Intel. I like intel 5000 but the card and WAP cost a lot, also speed is in consideration. How about netgear ?? or maybe other brand I didnt notice. Anyone have a suggestion?? Security is no 2 consideration after speed. Our company transfer a lot of files around, so speed would be the most important goal. Well any input is very appreciated.....

 

[amdskip]

I would not trust a wireless network in an office. A good hard wired cat 5e network is the way to go as far as I'm concerned. Wired is so much cheaper and wireless is still changing too much for my personal preferences.

 

[ktwebb]

Look into Proxim's 802.11a equipment. They are the only current Mfg to offer AP's that don't have integrated antennas (haven't really checked the SOHO stuff lately so that might not be true now). That will allow you the flexibility to add aftermarket antennas if you need to. If your coverage is not quite what you want. Proxim has been around along time in the wireless community as well. I have used their equipment going back into the mid 90's with the 2 Mb 900 Mhz radios. I tested the early firmware version of their 802.11a AP's and wasn't blown away or anything but managed to sustain about 25 Mb throughput within close line of sight of the AP. That was with early drivers for the cards and original firmware for the AP. Should be improved by now. I haven't seen war-driving software for 802.11a yet so security is not a big concern for now as long as you lock it down correctly. If your transferring files for NASA wireless is probably not what you want to do but other than extremely sensitive data, too much is made of security holes. MAC address filtering, WEP, turning off SSID broadcasting. These will inhibit all but the most ardent pursuers. One thing that never gets talked about though is proper engineering of the wireless cells. Since your doing this for a business it's always a good idea to do it right. That means hiring a professional to come out, do a site survey, and do detailed testing. If engineered properly you won't bleed much out of your office in the first place. If you have enemies that want in, then wireless networks can be hacked into. Otherwise, don't pay too much attention to the doomsayers. Just have it installed by someone who knows what hes doing. Having said all that: Is your office currently wired? you should definitely do that first if not already wired for ethernet. I assume it is but after reading admskips response it's something to address. Wired backbones are seldom a good idea. I'd recommend that only as a last resort, if cabling is near impossible.