How many wireless desktop's will function in one room?

[NihmRodd]

Hey all,

Am looking at outfitting a computer lab I manage with wireless (radio or BT) desktops. I've done a lot of searching, but can't find statistics for either type that state how many can function within the same room. I've got 30 workstations here, and the last thing I want is keyboards & mice crossing over from one station's control to another.

Anyone seen any data/research/info on this?

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NihmRodd

 

[InlineFive]

Okay, so are you talking about wireless keyboards and mice or wireless networking? For networking, the speeds will tank as the rated speed is shared. For 30 workstations, it would be worth the trouble to setup a wired network.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Some brands of wireless keyboards/mice like Viewsonic's can assign up to 256 unique IDs. So in theory it should work OK with 30 sets in the same room.

I'd imagine Logitech or Microsoft should also employ the same scheme, but the only brand of wireless input devices I've used is Viewsonic so I can't say for sure.

HTH.

EDIT: I'm not sure it's such a good idea to deploy so many wireless keyboard/mice sets in the same room. Too many loose things lying around, especially little things like mice, and they tend to get lost/mixed up/smashed/stolen. Not to mention that you will have to spend A LOT OF MONEY on batteries! I would just go wired and be done with it.

 

[ShellGuy]

No he wants to equip 30 WS with Wireless keyboard n Mouse.


Will G.

 

[NihmRodd]

Yes, am looking at putting wireless keyboards & mice at 30 lab workstations. Have already considered the threat of loss/mixups/etc., and the current problems we have with the wires from our keyboards & mice are quite considerable. Has anyone had experience with good quality cord management systems? I'd be open to considering that instead of the wireless option.

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NihmRodd

 

[Leros]

Does it matter what it looks like?

Duct tape works great in my comp lab at school.

 

[NihmRodd]

Originally posted by: JToxic
Does it matter what it looks like?

Duct tape works great in my comp lab at school.

Yes, the primary professor who uses the lab for his classes is a stickler about looks, so it needs to be professional looking.


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NihmRodd

 

[beverage]

zip-ties tightened and trimmed every 6-8 inches on the cables?

 

[NihmRodd]

Originally posted by: beverage
zip-ties tightened and trimmed every 6-8 inches on the cables?

Still, we have a problem with the cables (mostly kb & mouse) getting yanked out by users' feet and chair wheels. Need something more than just keeping the cables together. And, as we use pull-out kb trays (that the mice are on, too), we can't keep things tied together too tight.

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NihmRodd

 

[w.jimcorkery.ca]

Another great option that I have found. Double sided velcro, and a small wood screw. Use the small wood screw to screw the double sided vlecro to the underside of the desk. This allows you to undo the velcro to change things, as well as it keeps the cables tucked up nicely under the desk, and away from those darn feet. You can use this trick every couple of feet to keep the cables tight, although, 1 will typically to the trick.

www.jimcorkery.com

 

[Nizology]

Another great option that I have found. Double sided velcro, and a small wood screw. Use the small wood screw to screw the double sided vlecro to the underside of the desk. This allows you to undo the velcro to change things, as well as it keeps the cables tucked up nicely under the desk, and away from those darn feet. You can use this trick every couple of feet to keep the cables tight, although, 1 will typically to the trick.

www.jimcorkery.com

This is actually precisely what I was going to recommend. Good call.

 

[postaled]

There are some metal loops that you can buy for pretty cheap that I know someone used for cable management in some of her labs. Maybe you can do something like that .

Or just get desk with wire trays !

 

[Syran]

We used VersaTables for our new Training Room when we set it up 2 years ago. It's worked great, all the cabling is completely hidden except for 6 wires (4 network, 2 surge protector) that go into the wall from the table about 6-12inches. Have a single aisle classroom with 2 desks on each side, each with 2 computers. We mounted 17" LCDs to LCD arms, and ran the cables for them thru the arms.

 

[corkyg]

I am a volunteer instructor in a 10 workstation lab at one of our community centers maintained by the city. We are prohibited from using wireless anything because of possible health hazards and possible interference with things used by many seniors who use the fscility.

Everything is hard wired and there are no cables or cords on the floor. All are fastened neatly in the undersides of the computerdesks, and are out of sight.

 

[Homerboy]

the pain in the ass dealing with the batteries alone would be reason enough not to do wireless.

 

[Modelworks]

Wireless keyboards and mouse have the option of frequencies they can use 27Mhz, 49Mhz, 433Mhz, 900Mhz, 2.223Ghz . Most of the brands use fsk systems which is really cheap to make but does not handle multiple device interference well. How many you can put in a room on the same frequency depends on how active the devices being used are.

RF keyboards do not continuously send out data , they only send when something changes along with a heartbeat signal to let the receiver know they are still connected. You could have 40 keyboards in a room just sitting there, nobody typing and they would all seem to work. Get 40 people typing though and you will run out of bandwidth and start getting disconnects because the frequencies used are shared among devices but each using a different ID. There has to be enough free time in between other ID being sent for every device used.

A good way to demo this is take 2 IR tv remotes. Now press a button on one and release it, now press a button on the other and release it. Both remotes work. Now press a button on one remote and do not release it, hold it down so it keeps transmitting and press a button on the second remote, most of the time the second remote button will now not do what is supposed to because the first remote is consuming the bandwidth, in this case IR light, in the room.

The other option is IR. IR works pretty well and is line of sight so you can place the receiver right behind a keyboard up close and the receiver will connect to that keyboard and not others.

 

[0roo0roo]

I am a volunteer instructor in a 10 workstation lab at one of our community centers maintained by the city. We are prohibited from using wireless anything because of possible health hazards and possible interference with things used by many seniors who use the fscility.

Everything is hard wired and there are no cables or cords on the floor. All are fastened neatly in the undersides of the computerdesks, and are out of sight.

lol pacemakers?

really?


anyways, wired is cheaper and lower maintenance anyways, there is no good reason to get wireless everything in a computer lab. just adding a headache.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Nice necro from a spammer.

 

[corkyg]

really?

Really!

 

[bendixG15]

Really!

I believe ....