WAP for dorm access...

[Orsorum]

Just curious... I'm a Resident Adviser at the UW, and I'm looking at buying a WAP + print server for my room (to make my laptop a bit more useable throughout the floor). My question is, will something like this (DI-714P+) work with a strong enough signal throughout the floor? I don't think the floor is more than 300/400 feet in total length; I was thinking it might be nifty to have a wireless floor.

Any thoughts?

 

[AWEstun]

Distance wise, you have to take other things into account like how many walls and are the walls solid concrete with steel, etc. between the WAP and station.

I can take my laptop down the street, but we have a Linksys Booster on the Linksys WAP.

shelbY

 

[Orsorum]

One unfortunate thing about my dorm, lots of walls (cluster walls + room walls, plus a giant concrete column in the middle of the floor). Might look into buying a linksys version of that WAP+PS and get a booster to go with it, see what results.

thanks!

 

[JackMDS]

If your you are going to use Entry Level Wireless Hardware, you will need at least four units to cover the area as described.

In addition if more then 4 people will use it at the same time it will not be very functional.

Only viable solution (short of wires) is an expensive professional Wireless system.

 

[minendo]

Be sure to check with your IT department to see if they will allow this.

 

[vortix]

Originally posted by: minendo
Be sure to check with your IT department to see if they will allow this.

I wouldn't bother checking with them, unless you plan on putting 4 APs out in the hallway or something. If you end up just having 1 AP in your dorm, don't tell anyone about it Just turn on 128-bit WEP and restrict access to only your MAC address.

 

[ViviTheMage]

i would bust out some APs as they were saying. i dont think the IT would care at all....The connection is for the dorm students only (if i remember) and the students are useing the connection so who cares what the IT says.....just my opinion.