WIRELESS LAB SETUP 2

[maczen]

I am considering purchasing an 851W for Wireless and VPN capability (Replacing my current wireless router) but also would like to bridge the internet connection to my lab which is in a separate room. I was wondering what I would need to do this if it is possible with this router. Aironet AP device???

I also foresee one other issue. I would like to play with the Cisco wireless software on my laptop but I have a newer laptop with integrated wireless. (No PCMCIA slot for Aironet card)... Is there a USB alternative that will allow me to do this or another option? (Laptop is Dell XPS M1530 running Vista 32)...

Thanks again guys for all of the assistance!!! Enjoy your weekend!!!

~B

 

[CiscoGuy33]

maczen,

I do not have any experience with the 851W but I have setup 3 Cisco 1200 APs at the school I work and it is not a 851W but the Cisco APs work with just about EVERY wireless device and laptop - and students have a bunch of Dells !

I do not think you need a Cisco Aironet card as long as your Dell does the same standard as your 851W - IE - both doing "G".

As far as "bridging" to your lab just run some cat 5e and leave the wireless for the laptop!

Just my thoughts!


E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[maczen]

Thanks again CG! I will take a peek at the 1200's...

Basically, I am looking at "on down the line" breaking my lab in half and running:

------------[851W]-----------Internet, VPN, SEC, Bridge...
----[2924]---------[2924]----VLANS, STP...
----[2924]---------[2924]----""
----[2610]---- Inter-VLAN Routing...

----WIRELESS HERE----

--[1200? OR ANOTHER BRIDGE]--
----[2950]---------[2950]----RSTP, QoS...
----[3640]---------[3640]----Frame Relay, Route Redis...
----[3640]---------[3640]----""

I have the majority of the compnents that I need for route redistribution (OSPF to EIGRP to RIPv2) as well as Inter-VLAN Routing, STP and all of that good stuff but I think that I would like to work with wireless as well. I anticipate much more of it on future exams and definitely in the industry so now is as good a time as any. (By the way I don't own the 851, or the bridge and I am missing one 2950 at the moment but the rest of that lab is mine... (Just ordered all of the power cords..LoL.. (Thanks again for the links for the cords)

Any tips/links for wireless info would be appreciated as would info on Voice.. (VOIP).. Especially in regard to my current setup... I don't want to spend a fortune here but I do wish to dabble in VOIP as well.. It would be so awesome to make that work... VOIP/Wireless between my labs and being redistributed over various routing protocols!!! (Kinda makes me think of the internet and Skype.. LoL) But anyway thanks again!!! Later Guys!

 

[maczen]

Also... Would the 340/350 series AP's/WLAN Bridges/Workgroup Bridges be worth investing in or are they pretty much obsolete now? Really looking for a good place to start with the wireless... Haven't made it to the CCNP level yet and a ways from being in the need to know area.. Just the enthusiasm speaking now! LoL

 

[maczen]

I did a google search for "wireless from 851w to lab" and this forum is what I found.. LoL

I will ask this again just in case someone has had any experience with this setup...

Basically want to do just that.. Run from 851W in living room wired to that room's pc for now and wireless to lab in bedroom. I live in apartments so can not run wires here but want to play and need internet to the lab.

Would a 1200 work with the 851W to do what I want? Is there another recommendation by anyone? Thanks in advance guys. Retaking the CCNA ICND2 next Saturday if the test center has any openings.. MISSED BY 1 QUESTION... LoL

 

[lerdalt]

I've worked with the 340 and the 350 series as well as the 1200 series. I think the 340/350 will do what you are wanting, but if you are really looking to get into the wireless labs with a controller based/lwapp environment, it's not going to do what you need.

I haven't worked with the 851W, so I can't answer that.

I do know for the ONT exam as part of the CCNP, you don't need to lab any of it, the wireless pieces were very simplistic.

I work for a large hospital system, and using 100% Cisco access points, and so far I have not heard of any card that does not work with the ap's. We do recommend settings on the card for roaming and power options to help improve performance.

 

[maczen]

Awesome... Thanks guys...
I found a link that I wanted to share in regard to this...

How to set up an 851 or 871 for SOHO..

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=580

Not taking the ICND2 this weekend... Studying up on it and playing in the lab.. Just ordered some CCNP stuff... Need another 2950 also... Will let you guys know.. Also I am going to include a post of exactly what I used for CCNA and rate them.. Some are awesome like CBTNuggets and Measureup.com and some I feel were a waste of money like the Semsim flashcards and router simulator... I will say that all tools would be useless without the CiscoPress or Lammle books though..