Overhead of Wireless Networking

[Rkonster]

I am trying to set up a wireless network in a dental office. The manufacturer of the software does not recommend wireless networks due to bandwidth issues, though I believe it can be fixed with 802.11g or 802.11a. I have been reading that these networks get around 14-22Mbps. If I add multiple machines (probably about 4 over wireless), will overhead begin to cause problems? As I am not going to purchase a wireless switch. Thanks in advance.

 

[ktwebb]

There are no wireless switches. Actually that isnt' quite true. There is a company that has a solution that they advertise as switching. Sort of "in the explanation" kinda thing but at this point cost prohibitive. From Cisco to Proxim to the soho vendors, Linksys D-Link etc... it's all shared bandwidth. An AP/router combo with a built in switch does not a wireless switch make. You really have answered your own question though. For the .11a and .11g AP's your looking at 20-25+ Mb of effective bandwidth. Divide by 4 for worst case scenario, assuming all have solid associations to the AP, and you have about 8+ mb a piece if all your wireless clients are online and using their alloted bandwidth. If that satifies the requirements of the software then you don't have a problem. You would want the AP plugged into a switched port on your backbone of course. It's math after that.