wireless networking

[watts3000]

Who here uses a wireless lan basically how fast do they fuction I heard they only go about 11mbs. Do you know if there will be a new standard soon that will be faster.

 

[DnetMHZ]

I use the Intel Pro 5000 wireless equipment which uses the 802.11a standard and gets up to 54Mbit/s
There are also other standards in the works i believe.

 

[JackMDS]

The most used Wireless today is 802.11b (WIFI).

Typical working Network speed is 4-8 Mb/sec. (Spec. 11Mb/sec)

The Wireless manufactures are relatively careful. They usually claim a solid distance when they put the equipment on two towers with no Visual and electrical interference.

Indoors it is any body guess, in part, because our environment includes a lot of transmission obstructions. (Electrical Screening). Most of Houses are insulated with Aluminum Foil, metal screens, cordless telephones, microwave etc.
Out door trees, buildings, electrical lines etc. obstruct transmission.

As a result, Indoor residing entry level Wireless Instruments end up with a typical range of 30? ?70?. Out door with an unobstructed view, you can get a little more. (100-200?)

Prices at the moment are very good.

The current new Standard is 801.11a spec. 54Mb/sec. There is not enough information to really judge the actual output and range (too new).

802.11a--Fast Wireless Networking.

Example: EZ Connect 802.11a Wireless Access Point .

Debate:

The BIG Question: 802.11a or 802.11b?

The Future

Next year 802.11g spec. Should be compatible with the current 801.11b.

Clarity & Understanding: The High-speed WLAN standards debate


What to do (IMHO)?

1. Casual Network use, and Internet Sharing ? 802.11b.
2. Important, "Heavy" Network use 802.11a

 

[GasPath]

Kewl Information. I'm moving (career change) and I have to give up my wired house for an unwired house. So I have to decide on a wireless solution. Of course, Anandtech was my first stop for information, and as usual, I found it!

Thanks

 

[DnetMHZ]

<< Kewl Information. I'm moving (career change) and I have to give up my wired house for an unwired house. So I have to decide on a wireless solution. Of course, Anandtech was my first stop for information, and as usual, I found it!

Thanks >>



Nice.. once you get settled post the specs on your setup!

DnetMHZ

 

[SaigonK]

So the most secure Wireless out there now (shy of putting a Radius Server, etc. etc.) is Cisco.
It has the 128bit WEP, and also uses LEAP (extensible authentication protocol) for extra security.
One way to be the most secure is by using a VPN connection over the wireless netowrk, this coupled with 128bit encryption is as secure as you can get.

First off, don't settle on trying to save $$ when it comes to wireless, SMC, Linksys, Belkin, Orinco, they are ALL home solutions..some of them don't even support 182bit WEP. Buy Nortel, Cisco, or Enterasys. I am not knocking any suggestions here, but most people here only use Wireless in the home, not ina real business office where security actually matters.

Enterasys also is introducing a new X-client setup (in a day or two...I met with them on Thursday about it) that changes the 128bit encryption keys
at intervals of you choice. Making it pretty much impossible to crack. At 128bit encryption with a strong system (and im not talking about your home hacker with a P4 or Athlon-XP) the fastest breaking into WEP has been done in around 15 minutes.
If your key changes every say...10 minutes or 5 minutes...the hacker doesnt get enough data to allow him to break the key since it changes byt he time he/she figures out what the old one was.


the 54mbps solution travels a much smaller distance and is limited by antenna restrictions.
802.11b can use removable antennaes and such, while 802.11a has to have stationary antennas on the actual WAP, this is an FCC thing so the range will obviously be less.
Clarity in signal is a key as well..many Wireless manufacturers will push up the strength of their signal
(Cisco runs about 100mw, Nortel is around 110mw), Enterasys runs at about 60mw but they claim there signal is "cleaner" and more efficient.


Hope this helps!
SK