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Implementing WiFi in the Real World

Posted by timothy on from the linksys-wcf11-1500-feet-my-foot dept.

John Jorsett writes "Seduced by the siren song of wireless access throughout the home, many a user has experienced the discrepancy between the manufacturer's advertised claims (150 feet indoors, 300 outside) and real-world implementation (the living room and upstairs bedroom may as well be on different continents). In steely-eyed determination to exercise his inalienable right to network access anywhere on his property, MSN author Paul Boutin hired a Wi-Fi engineer to help him bathe his property in 802.11 waves, using only mass-market consumer hardware."

6 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. Much cheaper/easier alternatives by kevin_conaway · · Score: 2, Interesting

    There are much cheaper bases and access points that will accomplish this for you (linksys, dlink) and they dont require you to find someone with a mac (surprisingly I dont know someone with a mac laptop). His solution of 'it doesnt reach? spend $200 more!' isnt very adequate for a typical home user

  2. Need a Mac for an AirPort? by steveha · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The article says that to configure an Airport, you need a Mac.

    Really?

    Every firewall/router I have used, including the ones that have 802.11b features, are configured using any web browser. Is it really true that Apple did something different, which requires a Mac?

    If so: I suggest you buy a Netgear instead.

    steveha

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  3. Re:Range by afidel · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Chances are you have metal mesh backed plaster or plasterboard. This is common in some parts of the country and acts as a faraday cage. btw the numbers listed are always in an open space such as a cubicle farm devoid of cubicle walls, no manufacturer will make claims about any other environment. Also the airport has configuration programs written in java and native version for linux and windows as well so unlike what the author claims you do not need a mac to configure it.

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  4. Re:Uhhhhh....great by afidel · · Score: 2, Interesting

    buy Cisco cards, they cost a bit more but they will have drivers for their 11a and 11g stuff eventually and already have it for their 11b cards. They have a person dedicated to linux development including drivers and support software for their LEAP secure authentication system.

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    There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
  5. Re:Actually, I've got 2 airports at my house by Openadvocate · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Was wondering about that as well, but maybe there is some low end access points who does not have this feature. I have not played with "home-edition" wifi hardware so I don't know

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  6. Re:The 100-watt Transmitter. by El · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How about pumping your wireless network up to 100 watts... Uh, because it's bi-directional??? How long is your laptop battery going to last, transmitting constantly at 100 watts? And by the way, that's 100 watts going directly into your lap! By contrast, low end microwave ovens cook food with 600 watts. That warm, fuzzy feeling you're experiencing probably means you'll never be able to have children...

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