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Wi-Fi Times Sixteen
2Stupid2KnowIt writes "eWeek has a cool review of Xirrus' XS-3900 Wireless LAN Array. The unit consists of 16 Integrated Access Points and a wireless switch....all in one device. According to their website, Xirrus can achieve 800+ Mbps of bandwidth and handle 1000+ users. Finally enough bandwidth for us all to cut the cord?"
This is really a good idea. From TFA: ...permit only a single concurrent station to connect to each IAP...
... that might be a challenge. Like I said, similar, but not identical. Still a neat idea.
It's a wireless *switch*! Typical wireless deployments are like a hub-- 10, 20, 50 people connecting to the same AP. This is a really cool idea when you think about it. You're bridged solely to your own integrated access point, much like a port is your part on the bridge of a switch.
I say, get 12 WRT54G's at $60/piece, and a used/refurbed Cisco 2912, for about $200, load up the WRTs with OpenWRT, and you could probably do the a similar thing for about $1000. A little configuration and tweaking might be necessary though.
Also, don't know about the overlapping channels thing
FLR
Actually there are high end wireless routers out there that cost 3 to 5 thousand. They are intented for high security/authentication purposes. Also it generally cost 50-150 a drop for ethernet. And you are saving significantly more than 11 jacks as the intentions are for a thousand users. Easily making up the cost. Big question simply is, does it have enough distance for these thousand users, probably not.
Well, ignoring the fact that multiple clients can connect to the same AP, if you are in an office that doesn't have a wired infrastructure, or it needs upgrading*, then the cost of getting someone to rewire and patch could be quite high, especially if there are 100 people on the network (e.g., an office). 10000ft** of cat5e might not cost too much on its own, but the installation costs will cost a lot more, as would 8 decent 24-port GigE switches. And then all the laptop people will still moan about needing wireless access.
And think about having one of these at a convention or trade show... very handy.
* yes, I know that if the network 'needs' upgrading then there is probably a bandwidth need.
** yes, you can install switches at each block of desks to reduce cable runs. And so on.
They are all directional. In the 16 channel version, the 802.11a channels are directed at 30 degrees to the previous one, and each has a 60 degree spread. That should extend the range a bit - even if the diameter of the total covered area only doubled over using a single AP with an undirected antenna, that is still 4x the area covered. If the diameter of the wireless range was 3x larger, that is 9x the area covered. 4x - 16x more area.
Anyone here know what range increase is more likely with a solution like this?
You get 4 a/b/g APs, plus 12 a-only APs in their can. That's where they get the big # of users. For a total of 16 APs, this is a great device for high-density, conference room or public lobby applications. And the retail is more like $14K.
Oh yeah, telnet works on it unless disabled, too.
---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
"More cancer, more diabetes, and God knows what other diseases can be linked to the kind of diet we eat these days."
Actually Type II diabetes is NOT caused by eating too much sugar.
You have the gene or you don't. Being over weight can make it worse or even push you over the line into being diabetic. Yes I have do have type II. Some people can eat sugar all freaking day long and never get it. I was a vegetarian for 3 years and had lost 35 lbs and still got it.
Their is another reason why diabetes is they have changed what is to be diabetic. A lot more people fall into diabetic now than did a few years ago.
In a way you are correct that diet is impacting our health in a negative way but it is not as clear cut as sugar is bad for you. Too much fat, too much of the wrong kind of fat, and to many calories in general are to blame. It is easy to blame it is easy to blame it on fast food but no one makes use go to McDonalds.
You want to know how to have a healthier diet?
1. Cook at home. I do not mean frozen dinners but get a cook book and make food.
2. Only go to a Kentucky McBurger Bell once a week max.
3. Get some exercise and make sure your kids do.
Do not panic over the chemicals in your food. Wash your veggies and if it makes you feel better buy organic. Even better plant a garden. It is good exercise.
The problem with today's diet is not really what we eat as much as how much.
BTW if you want a really healthy diet check out the recommended diet from the ADA. Even if you are not diabetic it is a well balanced diet.
See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
Not only would you be obliterating all other wireless networks within range (this thing is active on all the channels) and getting collisions slowing it, but there is no way in hell you are going to be getting the advertised 54 Mbps on each channel.
Now I have never used the 54 Mbps stuff but from my experience with the 11 and 22 Mbps equipment I can say that you get no where near that speed even with the antennas nearly touching each other. My 22 Mbps network gets around 6 Mbps in actual use, I have never seen it go above that. And when I was on 11 Mbps it literally topped out at exactly half that speed (3 Mbps). It seems like we have all been duped.
The ratio of people to cake is too big