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Need to know about wireless

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FSM

IS-IT--Management
Jun 8, 2000
59
US
Hi guys, I want to learn about wireless and I wanted to know whats your perspective. Is everything going wireless? Is it more or less convenient (cost-benefit) to go wireless with LAN’S ?
What sites could you advice for wireless info.


Thank you very much!

FSM

 
Sorry, I am talking about Wireless NETWORKS....
 
Wireless is a good choice for its convenience.

For speed, security, and cost, wireless cannot touch a wired cable plant.

For mobile users the combination of a docking station at work and a wireless notebook cannot be beat for convenience. Similarly, for use at home either a docked notebook or a notebook + desktop is ideal. Anymore a docked notebook, or even undocked notebook, is a perfectly good "desktop" machine.

For the traditional office you do cable. If you cannot do cable you can do wireless.

If this is a brand new installation, do cable. You can add wireless at any point.

I could give you a thousand links, but this in a nutshell is the gist of the advice you will read.



 
BCastner, Thank you very much for your response, It was very clear, the thing is that I want to know if it’s possible (convenient) to make a wireless installation in a customers café (I saw a thread that is similar to this one but..) what is your advice? Can a customer come in with his laptop (like in starbucks) and check his email? That’s what I want to accomplish, what’s the best approach ? is it better to buy a “couple” of laptops configured them and rent them or can I have a better option (that would not install any software to the customer laptop)


Thank you again

FSM

 
I wish to heck I had saved some links I had a while ago on exactly this issue. This cat has been belled. There are several providers of "hot spot" routers, from the relatively uncomplicated in features to those that would produce a customer receipt for time used.

This is no longer a particularly difficult thing to do, and there are specialists in this field.

I hope I have re-assured you.

Now, to find the information there is always Google. The hot keyword, (ignore the pun) is " wireless hot spot routers"

I recommend strongly that you post your query again in the wireless internet provider forum on broadbandreports. Make certain you explain in your post that you want to set up a "hot spot" for access in a cafe setting similar to Starbucks.
You select Forums from the left, all Forums, and look for the Forum Wireless Internet Providers.

Best of luck.
Let us know what you learn, discover, experience.
 
Thank you very much bcastner, i really appreciate it, and i would follow your advice.


FSM
 
BTW,

I rarely suggest a particular brand in this Forum. I am semi-violating my own rule by suggesting that you look at the Proxim/Orinoco device for hot spot applications. This is a fast changing field, but from my last review (albeit, several months ago) this seemed like a good product at a good price.

I never used the device, just was asked to provide as a consultant several alternatives. My review is several months dated, but they used the device in roughly similar circumstances to you and remain very happy.

Without hesitation I can tell you that Cisco and Orinoco are bedrock solid choices for 802.11b, which is what you want. The Proxim/Orinoco product line has a specific hot spot router that I did not want you to miss considering in your effort.

Best.
 
FSM, I work with point of sale systems and we set up wireless terminals for customers with outside dinning using pocket pc's. We use netgear products and they seem to work fine. Keep in mind the customer may need to learn how to change IP address if their business is differnet from where-ever else they use their laptop. And as stated by bcastner, you should know the pros and cons of wireless versus hard-wired. It is just a matter of buying the wireless card for the laptop and an access point. They do make external usb cards but now the network connection will be even slower.

Not sure if this helps. Just insight from someone who has put wireless in restraunts.
 
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