Which WAP would you get for a (very) small business?

[Swanny]

Hello all,

I'm finalizing the configuration for a client's small busniness computers. They want wireless, which I don't see as a problem. I have them using Lucent Orinoco USB gold adapters. What's your recommendation for the WAP? It must have an ethernet uplink to the router. I'm currently looking and offerings from Lucent Orinoco, SMC, and Belkin. Who else makes good WAPs? I would like the highest level of encrytion possible, probably 128.


Thanks a lot,
Swan

 

[Garion]

Cisco cards and Cisco AP's, since they use LEAP and can do dynamic WEP keys which are much, much harder to hack than non-dynamic WEP.

- G

 

[Swanny]

I don't think they're looking for the expense of a Cisco. I forgot to mention that it should be under $200.

 

[Garion]

Unfortunately, you get what you pay for. If you want someone to be able to park outside their office and watch their traffic, get whatever's cheap. If you want something that makes a reasonable attempt at being secure, get a Cisco.

- G

 

[oneeighty]

If you're looking for basic DSL & NAT then you'll need a router. They probably don't need all the extra IPs that business-class DSL provides.

We just setup the SMC Barricade SMC7004AWBR in a small office today ~2000 sq. ft and it works beautifully w/the five hosts that have D-Link adapters. The 128-bit WEP went smoothly as usually there are lockups and various connectivity issues. Make sure your passphrase is the same on all the hosts and matches the router and there shouldn't be any probs.

 

[blstriker]

I have used the linksys WAP11 with great success. Very stable and reliable. We use it in our laboratory and I set it up a few months ago, gave it a static IP address and now it's happy as a duck. Still running. We all use orinoco silver cards as a side note. Very happy with the wap11.

 

[Abzstrak]

I'll second the cisco aironet 350, I seem to remember Ingram is selling these for like $450 or so.... MUCH better than any POS linksys, dlink, etc....

 

[m2kewl]

Listen to Garion/Abzstrak, when you buy cheap - you get cheap. Cisco's security features is what I recommend to my clients when I handle small network setups.

 

[Swanny]

I'll suggest the Cisco. Anyone have opinions about the Lucent or Belkin products?

 

[Hoober]

I'm using an SMC and Orinoco silver cards on my laptop at home, but I would definitely recommend the Cisco for business use. If they're sending proprietary information back and forth and somebody wants to get at it the Cisco's going to provide that little extra security. Probably not going to help all that much, but its worth the money.

 

[JackMDS]

There are here two aspects:

1. Technology:
In order to maintain good connection, the level of adequate equipment depends on the physical layout of the office, or offices.

E.g. If the all installation is in one room almost any entry level system will do.

2. Business Judgment:

Installing cheap entry level system will be "silly" if lose (money or otherwise) can occur due to unreliable network, and or if the information travels via the network can cause harm if intercepted by others.

If your clients are not computer savvy you have to explain to them what the Business judgment means.

 

[Swanny]

Ok, I'll look into the Cisco. Does that mean Cisco cards too, or would the Orinocos be ok?

 

[SaigonK]

Another main difference between a home setup and a business one is roaming capabilities.
Home units dont support WAP to WAP travel..so if they end up needing two Access points then they both need a line run tothem and both get configured seperately.
Thus if a person walks around with a lalptop, it wont "jump" to the next AP, and they will lose connectivity.

I use ONLY Cisco, I have two Cisco Aironet 4800AP's in my house, and I use Cisco 340 and Cisco 350's at work.
They rule, and beat the others hands down. Any business unit is going to be expensive.

Another feature that is very nice on the Cisco's that others dont have is the ability to turn of SSID broadcasting...a nice security feature!

 

[Swanny]

Ok, again. If I go Cisco, do I need Cisco cards and WAP or just the WAP?

 

[Abzstrak]

I'd go with cisco cards too, but the orinoco should be fine