«

A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
rural area.
Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
sort.
Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
Of what to do and not to do .
Resources.
The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .

On 12 Aug 2006 19:08:29 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
>rural area.
>Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
>Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
>sort.
>Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
>Of what to do and not to do .
>Resources.
>The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .

Mesh network overview:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network>

The crude way is to construct a tree network from a centralized Internet
backhaul, which can be done with relatively inexpensive consumer grade
gear:
^
|
+-------+-------+
|+-------------+|
||Internet Pipe||
|+------+------+|
| | |
|+------+------+|
||Access Point ||
|+-+--------+--+|
+--+--------+---+
| |
+------------+--+ +-+-------------+
|+-----------+-+| |++------------+|
||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
|+------+------+| |+------+------+|
| | | | | |
|+------+------+| |+------+------+|
||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
|+-+-----------+| |+-+---------+-+|
+--+------------+ +--+---------+--+
| | |
| +------------+--+ +--+------------+
|+-----------+-+| |+-+-----------+|
||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
|+------+------+| |+------+------+|
| | | | | |
|+------+------+| |+------+------+|
||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
|+-+---------+-+| |+-+---------+-+|
+--+---------+--+ +--+---------+--+
| | | |

Line of sight is needed for each wireless link.

Different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11) should be used to
minimize self-interference.

External directional high-gain antennas may be needed for access points
and client bridges, depending on distance.

Multiple access points may be needed in a given location to handle
clients in more than one direction.

Depending on the number of clients, you may need a fast Internet
backhaul (e.g., 6 Mbps DSL)

You should start with an accurate planning map of siting locations,
marked with clear line-of-sight paths.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

John ,

what would you recommend for "with relatively inexpensive consumer
grade
gear: "
winter weather might be a factor ( or perhaps dew points) if the
gear is outside for better reception and transmission.


John Navas wrote:
> On 12 Aug 2006 19:08:29 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
>
> >A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
> >rural area.
> >Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
> >Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
> >sort.
> >Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
> >Of what to do and not to do .
> >Resources.
> >The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .
>
> Mesh network overview:
> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network>
>
> The crude way is to construct a tree network from a centralized Internet
> backhaul, which can be done with relatively inexpensive consumer grade
> gear:
> ^
> |
> +-------+-------+
> |+-------------+|
> ||Internet Pipe||
> |+------+------+|
> | | |
> |+------+------+|
> ||Access Point ||
> |+-+--------+--+|
> +--+--------+---+
> | |
> +------------+--+ +-+-------------+
> |+-----------+-+| |++------------+|
> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> | | | | | |
> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
> |+-+-----------+| |+-+---------+-+|
> +--+------------+ +--+---------+--+
> | | |
> | +------------+--+ +--+------------+
> |+-----------+-+| |+-+-----------+|
> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> | | | | | |
> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
> |+-+---------+-+| |+-+---------+-+|
> +--+---------+--+ +--+---------+--+
> | | | |
>
> Line of sight is needed for each wireless link.
>
> Different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11) should be used to
> minimize self-interference.
>
> External directional high-gain antennas may be needed for access points
> and client bridges, depending on distance.
>
> Multiple access points may be needed in a given location to handle
> clients in more than one direction.
>
> Depending on the number of clients, you may need a fast Internet
> backhaul (e.g., 6 Mbps DSL)
>
> You should start with an accurate planning map of siting locations,
> marked with clear line-of-sight paths.
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

> A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
> rural area.
> Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
> Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
> sort.
> Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
> Of what to do and not to do .
> Resources.
> The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .
>

Depends what part of the country you are in.... There are several HUGE ones
in the NorthWest (where there are big hills/mountains are used, biggest
skynet in Spokane, covers 230+ sq miles, yes it is 802.11b and work with
laptops and pda's.. See http://www.spokaneskynet.com/ for details on
coverage and tech help (specs)...), but haven't heard of any where it is
flat. There are also a few smaller ones in oregon/idaho/washington along the
snake river in Hells Canyon to service the small towns along the river.. (I
heard of another in Northern Arkansas, but that is on the hills around the
lake there)..

For the outdoor antennas I suggest:
* Hawking HAO14SDP Hi-Gain 14dBi Outdoor Directional Antenna Kit
-or-
* Hawking HAO14SD Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit

Any decent wireless access point (or router configured as an access
point) and wireless client bridge with external antenna connectors can
be used, but I'd personally stick with one vendor if you're buying new;
e.g., Hawking HWBA54G Wireless-G Multi-Function AP/Bridge (which
supports both modes).

On 12 Aug 2006 23:43:52 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>John ,
>
> what would you recommend for "with relatively inexpensive consumer
>grade
>gear: "
> winter weather might be a factor ( or perhaps dew points) if the
>gear is outside for better reception and transmission.
>
>
>John Navas wrote:
>> On 12 Aug 2006 19:08:29 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
>>
>> >A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
>> >rural area.
>> >Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
>> >Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
>> >sort.
>> >Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
>> >Of what to do and not to do .
>> >Resources.
>> >The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .
>>
>> Mesh network overview:
>> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network>
>>
>> The crude way is to construct a tree network from a centralized Internet
>> backhaul, which can be done with relatively inexpensive consumer grade
>> gear:
>> ^
>> |
>> +-------+-------+
>> |+-------------+|
>> ||Internet Pipe||
>> |+------+------+|
>> | | |
>> |+------+------+|
>> ||Access Point ||
>> |+-+--------+--+|
>> +--+--------+---+
>> | |
>> +------------+--+ +-+-------------+
>> |+-----------+-+| |++------------+|
>> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> | | | | | |
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
>> |+-+-----------+| |+-+---------+-+|
>> +--+------------+ +--+---------+--+
>> | | |
>> | +------------+--+ +--+------------+
>> |+-----------+-+| |+-+-----------+|
>> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> | | | | | |
>> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
>> |+-+---------+-+| |+-+---------+-+|
>> +--+---------+--+ +--+---------+--+
>> | | | |
>>
>> Line of sight is needed for each wireless link.
>>
>> Different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11) should be used to
>> minimize self-interference.
>>
>> External directional high-gain antennas may be needed for access points
>> and client bridges, depending on distance.
>>
>> Multiple access points may be needed in a given location to handle
>> clients in more than one direction.
>>
>> Depending on the number of clients, you may need a fast Internet
>> backhaul (e.g., 6 Mbps DSL)
>>
>> You should start with an accurate planning map of siting locations,
>> marked with clear line-of-sight paths.
>>
>> --
>> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
>> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
>> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
>> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

John ,

why the Hawking ?
The only router I really ever had trouble was with the Hawking G.
In the end they were recalled in Canada and the wonderfull Best Buy
Hawking rebates were ignored and never issued.
Tech support was just a delay tactic.
What other products from other vendors would you recommend.
Could USB adapters such as the zyadas chipset adapters / antennas be
used.
Would the antenna be best placed outside or would it make much of a
difference ?
Any ideas for antennas that could be made out of off the shelf
components ?


thank you
John Navas wrote:
> For the outdoor antennas I suggest:
> * Hawking HAO14SDP Hi-Gain 14dBi Outdoor Directional Antenna Kit
> -or-
> * Hawking HAO14SD Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit
>
> Any decent wireless access point (or router configured as an access
> point) and wireless client bridge with external antenna connectors can
> be used, but I'd personally stick with one vendor if you're buying new;
> e.g., Hawking HWBA54G Wireless-G Multi-Function AP/Bridge (which
> supports both modes).
>
> On 12 Aug 2006 23:43:52 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
>
> >John ,
> >
> > what would you recommend for "with relatively inexpensive consumer
> >grade
> >gear: "
> > winter weather might be a factor ( or perhaps dew points) if the
> >gear is outside for better reception and transmission.
> >
> >
> >John Navas wrote:
> >> On 12 Aug 2006 19:08:29 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
> >> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> >> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
> >>
> >> >A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
> >> >rural area.
> >> >Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
> >> >Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
> >> >sort.
> >> >Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
> >> >Of what to do and not to do .
> >> >Resources.
> >> >The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .
> >>
> >> Mesh network overview:
> >> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network>
> >>
> >> The crude way is to construct a tree network from a centralized Internet
> >> backhaul, which can be done with relatively inexpensive consumer grade
> >> gear:
> >> ^
> >> |
> >> +-------+-------+
> >> |+-------------+|
> >> ||Internet Pipe||
> >> |+------+------+|
> >> | | |
> >> |+------+------+|
> >> ||Access Point ||
> >> |+-+--------+--+|
> >> +--+--------+---+
> >> | |
> >> +------------+--+ +-+-------------+
> >> |+-----------+-+| |++------------+|
> >> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> | | | | | |
> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
> >> |+-+-----------+| |+-+---------+-+|
> >> +--+------------+ +--+---------+--+
> >> | | |
> >> | +------------+--+ +--+------------+
> >> |+-----------+-+| |+-+-----------+|
> >> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> | | | | | |
> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
> >> |+-+---------+-+| |+-+---------+-+|
> >> +--+---------+--+ +--+---------+--+
> >> | | | |
> >>
> >> Line of sight is needed for each wireless link.
> >>
> >> Different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11) should be used to
> >> minimize self-interference.
> >>
> >> External directional high-gain antennas may be needed for access points
> >> and client bridges, depending on distance.
> >>
> >> Multiple access points may be needed in a given location to handle
> >> clients in more than one direction.
> >>
> >> Depending on the number of clients, you may need a fast Internet
> >> backhaul (e.g., 6 Mbps DSL)
> >>
> >> You should start with an accurate planning map of siting locations,
> >> marked with clear line-of-sight paths.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> >> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> >> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> >> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
>
> --
> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Frank,

You're putting the cart before the horse in asking for product
recommendations without having first done a basic plan for the system.

There is a great deal of relevant information in the wikis below --
please access them before asking questions. (If and when you find
something that's not covered, I'll probably add it to the wikis, rather
than just answering your question -- saves a great deal of my time in
the long run.)

You'll need outside antennas where you don't have clear line of sight
through windows. That's one of the things you should address in your
basic plan.

You can make your own antennas -- that's one of the things covered in
the wikis. I can't recommend anything more specific until you've done
your basic plan and are thus able to articulate your specific
requirements.

You can use USB, but that makes host computers an essential part of the
wireless network and may mean placing electronics outside, which is
harder than just the antenna.

I recommended Hawking because it's "relatively inexpensive" (as you
asked), because it generally works reasonably well, and because it's one
of the few vendors with a full line of matching high-gain antennas.

If you cheap out on the system, the result will probably be unreliable
operation, which I doubt the community will appreciate or even tolerate.
I strongly advise using solid commercial products instead of cheap
home-brew solutions.

Good luck,
John

On 13 Aug 2006 08:58:23 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed). com>:

>John ,
>
> why the Hawking ?
> The only router I really ever had trouble was with the Hawking G.
> In the end they were recalled in Canada and the wonderfull Best Buy
>Hawking rebates were ignored and never issued.
> Tech support was just a delay tactic.
> What other products from other vendors would you recommend.
> Could USB adapters such as the zyadas chipset adapters / antennas be
>used.
> Would the antenna be best placed outside or would it make much of a
>difference ?
> Any ideas for antennas that could be made out of off the shelf
>components ?
>
>
> thank you
>John Navas wrote:
>> For the outdoor antennas I suggest:
>> * Hawking HAO14SDP Hi-Gain 14dBi Outdoor Directional Antenna Kit
>> -or-
>> * Hawking HAO14SD Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit
>>
>> Any decent wireless access point (or router configured as an access
>> point) and wireless client bridge with external antenna connectors can
>> be used, but I'd personally stick with one vendor if you're buying new;
>> e.g., Hawking HWBA54G Wireless-G Multi-Function AP/Bridge (which
>> supports both modes).
>>
>> On 12 Aug 2006 23:43:52 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
>> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
>>
>> >John ,
>> >
>> > what would you recommend for "with relatively inexpensive consumer
>> >grade
>> >gear: "
>> > winter weather might be a factor ( or perhaps dew points) if the
>> >gear is outside for better reception and transmission.
>> >
>> >
>> >John Navas wrote:
>> >> On 12 Aug 2006 19:08:29 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
>> >> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> >> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
>> >>
>> >> >A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
>> >> >rural area.
>> >> >Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
>> >> >Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
>> >> >sort.
>> >> >Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
>> >> >Of what to do and not to do .
>> >> >Resources.
>> >> >The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .
>> >>
>> >> Mesh network overview:
>> >> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network>
>> >>
>> >> The crude way is to construct a tree network from a centralized Internet
>> >> backhaul, which can be done with relatively inexpensive consumer grade
>> >> gear:
>> >> ^
>> >> |
>> >> +-------+-------+
>> >> |+-------------+|
>> >> ||Internet Pipe||
>> >> |+------+------+|
>> >> | | |
>> >> |+------+------+|
>> >> ||Access Point ||
>> >> |+-+--------+--+|
>> >> +--+--------+---+
>> >> | |
>> >> +------------+--+ +-+-------------+
>> >> |+-----------+-+| |++------------+|
>> >> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
>> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> >> | | | | | |
>> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> >> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
>> >> |+-+-----------+| |+-+---------+-+|
>> >> +--+------------+ +--+---------+--+
>> >> | | |
>> >> | +------------+--+ +--+------------+
>> >> |+-----------+-+| |+-+-----------+|
>> >> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
>> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> >> | | | | | |
>> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
>> >> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
>> >> |+-+---------+-+| |+-+---------+-+|
>> >> +--+---------+--+ +--+---------+--+
>> >> | | | |
>> >>
>> >> Line of sight is needed for each wireless link.
>> >>
>> >> Different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11) should be used to
>> >> minimize self-interference.
>> >>
>> >> External directional high-gain antennas may be needed for access points
>> >> and client bridges, depending on distance.
>> >>
>> >> Multiple access points may be needed in a given location to handle
>> >> clients in more than one direction.
>> >>
>> >> Depending on the number of clients, you may need a fast Internet
>> >> backhaul (e.g., 6 Mbps DSL)
>> >>
>> >> You should start with an accurate planning map of siting locations,
>> >> marked with clear line-of-sight paths.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
>> >> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
>> >> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
>> >> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
>>
>> --
>> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
>> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
>> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
>> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Thanks,
Not trying to put the cart before the horse.
I was just exploring options.
Good point - to use commercial products to ensure consistency and
reliability.
I did not notice the links wikis.

thanks

John Navas wrote:
> Frank,
>
> You're putting the cart before the horse in asking for product
> recommendations without having first done a basic plan for the system.
>
> There is a great deal of relevant information in the wikis below --
> please access them before asking questions. (If and when you find
> something that's not covered, I'll probably add it to the wikis, rather
> than just answering your question -- saves a great deal of my time in
> the long run.)
>
> You'll need outside antennas where you don't have clear line of sight
> through windows. That's one of the things you should address in your
> basic plan.
>
> You can make your own antennas -- that's one of the things covered in
> the wikis. I can't recommend anything more specific until you've done
> your basic plan and are thus able to articulate your specific
> requirements.
>
> You can use USB, but that makes host computers an essential part of the
> wireless network and may mean placing electronics outside, which is
> harder than just the antenna.
>
> I recommended Hawking because it's "relatively inexpensive" (as you
> asked), because it generally works reasonably well, and because it's one
> of the few vendors with a full line of matching high-gain antennas.
>
> If you cheap out on the system, the result will probably be unreliable
> operation, which I doubt the community will appreciate or even tolerate.
> I strongly advise using solid commercial products instead of cheap
> home-brew solutions.
>
> Good luck,
> John
>
> On 13 Aug 2006 08:58:23 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> <(E-Mail Removed). com>:
>
> >John ,
> >
> > why the Hawking ?
> > The only router I really ever had trouble was with the Hawking G.
> > In the end they were recalled in Canada and the wonderfull Best Buy
> >Hawking rebates were ignored and never issued.
> > Tech support was just a delay tactic.
> > What other products from other vendors would you recommend.
> > Could USB adapters such as the zyadas chipset adapters / antennas be
> >used.
> > Would the antenna be best placed outside or would it make much of a
> >difference ?
> > Any ideas for antennas that could be made out of off the shelf
> >components ?
> >
> >
> > thank you
> >John Navas wrote:
> >> For the outdoor antennas I suggest:
> >> * Hawking HAO14SDP Hi-Gain 14dBi Outdoor Directional Antenna Kit
> >> -or-
> >> * Hawking HAO14SD Outdoor Hi-Gain 14dBi Directional Antenna Kit
> >>
> >> Any decent wireless access point (or router configured as an access
> >> point) and wireless client bridge with external antenna connectors can
> >> be used, but I'd personally stick with one vendor if you're buying new;
> >> e.g., Hawking HWBA54G Wireless-G Multi-Function AP/Bridge (which
> >> supports both modes).
> >>
> >> On 12 Aug 2006 23:43:52 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
> >> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> >> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
> >>
> >> >John ,
> >> >
> >> > what would you recommend for "with relatively inexpensive consumer
> >> >grade
> >> >gear: "
> >> > winter weather might be a factor ( or perhaps dew points) if the
> >> >gear is outside for better reception and transmission.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >John Navas wrote:
> >> >> On 12 Aug 2006 19:08:29 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
> >> >> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> >> >> <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:
> >> >>
> >> >> >A group is looking to set up a community wireless network in a semi
> >> >> >rural area.
> >> >> >Coverage would be around 5 square miles or so.
> >> >> >Although the houses are spread out they are in nodal areas of some
> >> >> >sort.
> >> >> >Any ideas of how to best do this on a limited budget ?
> >> >> >Of what to do and not to do .
> >> >> >Resources.
> >> >> >The climate is fairly extreme especially in the winter .
> >> >>
> >> >> Mesh network overview:
> >> >> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_mesh_network>
> >> >>
> >> >> The crude way is to construct a tree network from a centralized Internet
> >> >> backhaul, which can be done with relatively inexpensive consumer grade
> >> >> gear:
> >> >> ^
> >> >> |
> >> >> +-------+-------+
> >> >> |+-------------+|
> >> >> ||Internet Pipe||
> >> >> |+------+------+|
> >> >> | | |
> >> >> |+------+------+|
> >> >> ||Access Point ||
> >> >> |+-+--------+--+|
> >> >> +--+--------+---+
> >> >> | |
> >> >> +------------+--+ +-+-------------+
> >> >> |+-----------+-+| |++------------+|
> >> >> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
> >> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> >> | | | | | |
> >> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> >> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
> >> >> |+-+-----------+| |+-+---------+-+|
> >> >> +--+------------+ +--+---------+--+
> >> >> | | |
> >> >> | +------------+--+ +--+------------+
> >> >> |+-----------+-+| |+-+-----------+|
> >> >> ||Client Bridge|| ||Client Bridge||
> >> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> >> | | | | | |
> >> >> |+------+------+| |+------+------+|
> >> >> ||Access Point || ||Access Point ||
> >> >> |+-+---------+-+| |+-+---------+-+|
> >> >> +--+---------+--+ +--+---------+--+
> >> >> | | | |
> >> >>
> >> >> Line of sight is needed for each wireless link.
> >> >>
> >> >> Different channels with minimal overlap (1, 6, 11) should be used to
> >> >> minimize self-interference.
> >> >>
> >> >> External directional high-gain antennas may be needed for access points
> >> >> and client bridges, depending on distance.
> >> >>
> >> >> Multiple access points may be needed in a given location to handle
> >> >> clients in more than one direction.
> >> >>
> >> >> Depending on the number of clients, you may need a fast Internet
> >> >> backhaul (e.g., 6 Mbps DSL)
> >> >>
> >> >> You should start with an accurate planning map of siting locations,
> >> >> marked with clear line-of-sight paths.
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> >> >> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> >> >> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> >> >> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
> >> John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
> >> Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
> >> Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

On 13 Aug 2006 09:55:09 -0700, "(E-Mail Removed)"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
<(E-Mail Removed). com>:

>John Navas wrote:

>> I recommended Hawking because it's "relatively inexpensive" (as you
>> asked), because it generally works reasonably well, and because it's one
>> of the few vendors with a full line of matching high-gain antennas.

I also recommended Hawking because the HWBA54G Wireless-G Multi-Function
AP/Bridge is one of the few "relatively inexpensive" products designed
to easily function as either a wireless access point or a wireless
client bridge, increasing flexibility and decreasing support issues.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_HowTo>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

I was reading the fine print on Staples ad this morning. It said
something about a router "referred to "Draft 802.11 n version 1.1,
March 2006, and is not guaranteed to upgradable to the ratified
standard".
So, if I get this beast and there are changes to the standard do I
have essentially a boat anchor? What about after ratification and I get
a (say) laptop with the final n, would this n be able to talk to it?