Wireless LAN considerations (Saklolo Deux)

**pajerokid** · July 13th, 2004 07:23 PM

Doc Phil,

I just want some peace of mind. I was thinking that the WAP11 functions just like a regular hub/switch except that it's wireless. Am I correct or do i really have to connect this to a PC come showtime. I understand that you need a PC to configure it, but do you still need a PC while its in operation?

kulit ko ano?

Ideally this is what i want to happen: i'd just get an RJ45 and plug it into the WAP11, install the corresponding PCMCIAs into the Laptops and VOILA! Is this the expected scenario? TIA!!!

John G, looks like merong issues with network security, anyways i'll deal with them pag meron nang formal response.

**pajerokid** · July 13th, 2004 07:24 PM

FrankD, sabi sa product docu, range is up to 1650 feet! w.o.w.

Pucha! I feel i want a set for myself! I mean, for home!

(pero kung point-to-point, there's an easier solution. I saw this USB wireless networking dongle that you just plug and play into any usb port and voila! networked! )

FrankDrebin · July 13th, 2004 07:30 PM

1650 feet uniterrupted?

Pasensya na po mga peeps, sanay kasi ng lumuluhod sa sahig at umaakyat sakisame para magkabit ng UTP at magtabas at magpantay ng RJ45.

Keep up the good info!

**wiretap_md** · July 13th, 2004 07:34 PM

Armand,

Yup, you said it right. You just have to plug the WAP11 into the RJ45, install the PCMCIAs into the laptops and you're done! Standalone na yung WAP. You don't need a PC attached to it to keep it running and in operation. You can setup the WAP wirelessly na. No need to attach a PC to it just to set it up. Once the WAP detects the WPC11 and linked na sila, you just have to fire up your browser and enter the router address to get into the setup. Web-based setup kasi siya using your browser to access the setup ng router. I think the address for linksys is usually 192.168.1.1

**pajerokid** · July 13th, 2004 07:40 PM

Thanks Doc! One final Q.... Will the WPC11s support Wireless-G as well (if i got the Wireless-G version of the WAP11) or is there a corresponding WPC-11 for the wireless-g spec?

Oh, and another 'Last Question' hehe: Is security an issue? I mean, if i had a WPC11, can i just connect to your wireless network?

Youre one Doc high up on my techie meter! ;)

**doublea** · July 13th, 2004 07:50 PM

1650 feet uniterrupted?

This is very unrealistic in a crowded world full of interference and obstructions. This is only achievable in the flat terrain dessert.

802.11g is a good new standard for WLAN. It is tested up to 200 feet on a real world scenario given the interference and obstructions. It supports up to 54GB bandwidth. Disadvantage: Not yet widely accepted as standard by some WLAN vendors compared to 802.11b which is already a de facto standard for WLAN technology. though only runs on a 11 MBPS bandwith.

Security: Remember than WLAN Transponder emits signals omnidirectionally. So, maybe we don't know someone is sniffing in our signals beyond our premise. But I think it is already taken into considerations by some vendors and they are encrypting their data.

Users Bandwidth: WLAN shared bandwidth to users in a first come first served basis. meaning if you turn on your PC first, chances are you are eating most of the bandwidth and less for the remaining ports.

**wiretap_md** · July 13th, 2004 08:00 PM

Armand,

You can check out the specs of each product here: http://www.linksys.com/products/

WAP11 is solely for Wireless-B only. It won't work with a Wireless-G. Same thing for the WPC11 which is only for Wireless-B. If you wanna go for Wireless-G, you will need a WPC54G PCMCIA to match your WAP54G. Got it?

There is always dual-band if you want, pero mahal pa.

Security is well-addressed in wireless networking. You'll learn about it more once you read the manual that comes with the package. Online help is built-in sa configuration ng Linksys WAP. Familiar terms would be SSID broadcast, MAC address filtering, etc.

**P800** · July 13th, 2004 09:14 PM

sirs,

just remember that WI-Fi's have very limited security system (or none at all at times). in setting up HotSpots (areas where u can have wireless access) keep in mind many things.
example:
will you be using it for internet access,
for local area network only,
LAN and internet,
how many users,
the topography (as discussed Wifi is limited to Line of sight connection),
the security (if u want some security, you would setup a server for authenticationg username and passwords of users logging in * ur WLAN),
and the equipments.

the equipments should support user to user access.

thanks. hope that helps. i know many suppliers kung gusto nyo pa setup. kasi sa telco ako work eh. and install ako hotspots. baka makakuha pa tayo discounts para sa offices nyo.

**jim** · July 14th, 2004 09:59 AM

I agree with P800. Kaya nga sabi ko yung sa office WAP 11 namin naka-connect sa sya sa switch(router) since yung router namin may ip filtering capability. Yung 1650 feet uninterrupted sa LOS (line of site) yun but if there are obstructions iba na..................

**need4speed** · July 18th, 2004 01:08 AM

I'm a Network Engineer by profession and briefly worked for Linksys. Before anything else, I would like to ask a few things with regards to your setup.

1) What is the primary use for your WiFi setup?
2) What is your budget?
3) What type of PC's are you using (MAC, LINUX, WIN, etc.)
4) How is your current network setup?

**otanex** · July 18th, 2004 01:29 AM

madami kasing consideration ang ganyan... security, reliability... pero if you know kung ano ang purpose at na satisfy naman. . eh di oks na ... pero kung medyo highly confidential ang mga data na mag ta travel sa network.. better secure it .... ;-) ...

its just me ...

**empy** · July 18th, 2004 03:01 AM

need4speed and others - a question about security.

my home is set up with 802.11g wifi. i currently have enabled the following security features:

1. MAC filtering
2. WEP encryption (i heard this sucks)
3. non-broadcasting SSID

should i be doing anything else to increase security? yes, i know that if i want real security, i should use a wired network...but wireless is too damn convenient

(PK, sorry for the thread hijack, but i think you'd probably want to know the answer too) ;)

**turk182** · July 18th, 2004 03:38 AM

also been using a wifi 11g setup for my home network for the past 7 months now...

it will help if you use WPA encryption since this is much more secure... it would also be wise to configure your access point to allow only certain MAC addresses to connect to it but i think you are already doing this (MAC filtering)... my access point logs a lot of intrusion attempts everyday but they all fail to connect to the network...

i'm currently using 2 wired PCs and five wireless devices (2 laptops, 1 tablet PC, 2 PDAs) in my home wifi and they currently share one cable internet connection... i also use this network for some LAN gaming, file and printer sharing between the devices...

**need4speed** · July 18th, 2004 02:11 PM

turk182 is correct. MAC Filtering should be enabled. This will only allow the computers you want to access your network and no other.

**empy** · July 19th, 2004 12:02 AM

thanks for the answers guys...i just found out that for some reason my xbox live wireless adapter doesn't work if i don't broadcast my SSID...grrr

**pajerokid** · July 19th, 2004 08:41 AM

Originally posted by M54 Powered

(PK, sorry for the thread hijack, but i think you'd probably want to know the answer too) ;)

Ey no prob bro! Basta ikaw ;)

Anyways, keep em comments coming!

Im still knocking heads with our Network Security department. Our budget for this one is basically unlimited.

Diba yung MAC is like the serial number for the lan card? Sorry, it's been quite a while since i tinkered with PCs and Networks for a living

BTW, what are the 'real world' range figures for the WAP11? walls and all?

**pajerokid** · July 20th, 2004 04:29 PM

Finally got through Network Security! Looks like im going for the Wireless-G AP instead

**jds** · July 20th, 2004 05:29 PM

Hi PK,

If you have an unlimited budget and cost is not a major concern, I may I suggest a enterprise grade Access Point which is Cisco 1200 series or the AP1231, it's supports 802.11b/g.

I've deployed dozens of these and I had a good experience and less headache in terms of support. More robust and stable than SOHO type APs.

**pajerokid** · July 20th, 2004 05:53 PM

thanks for the reco jds

actually im just supposed to install the hotspot in a conference room so medyo overkill yung magdeploy ng cisco solution.

**need4speed** · July 21st, 2004 02:04 AM

Originally posted by pajerokid
Ey no prob bro! Basta ikaw ;)

Anyways, keep em comments coming!

Im still knocking heads with our Network Security department. Our budget for this one is basically unlimited.

Diba yung MAC is like the serial number for the lan card? Sorry, it's been quite a while since i tinkered with PCs and Networks for a living

BTW, what are the 'real world' range figures for the WAP11? walls and all?

MAC-addresses
Media Access Control layer addresses
48-bit address that is hardwired into the netcard

DHCP, among others, use this to identify a machine requesting a certain IP-address within its lease duration

in short... yes it's like a serial number for LAN / WiFi / etc. Although, in some cases you can have a similar MAC Address with another similar device.

"Real World" range is dependent on your environment. These SOHO (small office / home office) products were designed with the American Home/Office in mind. Meaning dry wall, wood and no to minimal cement or metal in most cases. Thus signal strength is stronger. If your house/office has thick "buhos" cement then range would decrease significantly. In this case, if you have a pretty huge area to cover, commercial grade AP's are required.

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