Setting up WIRELESS in our WAREHOUSE ?

[johnpau80]

I am completely new to this Wireless stuff so need some help and suggestions:

We have a warehouse which is around 250/250 sft. and we are planning to setup wireless in that warehouse, so that we can access internet whenever we move with our laptop there.

What devices do I need ? How many and what the basic setup ?

Do we need Access Points ? how many ? which are the best ?

People talk about channels, frequencies ...etc.. just can someone explain in a layman terms.

Thanks
SAM

 

[spi200]

Hi

Here it is in simple terms.

All you need is a wireless router - some setup of cause will be needed on the router and on the laptops, but essentially that it.
I suggest you buy a quality Wireless router and not one suited for home users, this way you can get some support if required. Another important thing is your opening you network to "wireless" and there are security implications with this. Your "wireless network" must be secured and I would get in a specialist if you not comfortable with setting the router\laptop security options.
I recommend you use "WPA" security on your security options and not WEP and certainly not open to just anyone. There are some other things which slow down the hackers such as turning off the broadcast and setting the mac addesses of your laptops on your routers config. Be warned - Nothing ever stops the top hackers.
We have a secure network where I work and its against the policy to have laptops with wireless turned on anywhere near the building - they scan constantly for rouge contrators and the like.
Frequencies and channels is a little more technical, but essentially there are two fequency ranges - a 2ghz and a 4 Ghz range that is commonly used. These ranges can conflict with other wireless routers or other wireless devices such as wireless phones (not Cell mobiles) - so it just depends on your setup and how close you are to your neibours who might be using similar frequencies.
I use a 2.7 Ghz Netgear wireless router at home (as does my neighbor) and I have two wireless phone, one at 2.7 Ghz and another a 4Ghz and I have had no problem finding a clear channel. You can use a program called "Netstumbler" to see what routers are around you and what channels are being used, that way you can select a channel far away form the closest signal. ie My neighbor uses channel 6 so I choose channel 11. Use Netstumbler on a laptop to check you wireless network is secure when your fininshed, it shows secured and unsecured networks clearly.
As I mentioned, if your not into security and protocols then get someone to do it for you as the costs would not be much and could all be setup in an afternoon. If you do it yourself then it will open up a lot of new things in the Networking world and it is interesting and is a big growth area.

Good luck,

Dave

 

[johnpau80]

So just a wireless router should be enough ?

I was thinking we have to use some access points ? Whats the basic difference between Wireless router and a WAP ?

When we connect 2 WAP it creates more wireless range and
a network, which give strong signal to all the devices ?

Let me know !!!

THANKS
SAM

 

[spi200]

Hi Sam

AS I understand your wireless router becomes your WAP (wireless access point) - some wireless devices can offer better ranges than others, so as I mentioned don't buy a no-name brand which is suited to home users. Your Wharehouse is not large so a good quality well placed router should be fine.
Note: Some Notebooks are better with weak signals than others.
Some other wireless guys might want to add their experience here as well.

Regards

David

 

[pmf71]

If you already have a non-wireless router for your internet, DO NOT purchase a router! A Wireless access point will suffice, plus the added bonus of being able to place the WAP anywhere you like with just one ethernet cable (and power of course). That ethernet cable just plugs into your existing router.

Using a single WAP solution the best position for the WAP is in the middle of the warehouse, and preferably up high so you have the most line-of-sight.

Another solution is to place a WAP close to your existing router(and connect it to the router), and place a second WAP in the middle of your warehouse (completely wireless, so no long ethernet cables required) and connect the two WAPS with WDS. The WAPS must of course support WDS. WDS = Wireless distribution system and is intended for extending wireless range without too much hassle.

 

[johnpau80]

I got the solution from Symbol and it works great.

WS2000 with AP300 acess ports.


Thanks