RE: Wireless LANs (and DSL)

["Timothy Morris" <timothy.morris@xxxxxxx>]

I'm sure you're aware Ant, but for those that aren't Compaq offer something
which does exactly that, surprisingly called a "Software Access
Point". I
think it costs about 70 quid per software access point.

For those wondering about whether or not they need an access point:

You have to separate in your mind your network topology from the physical
hardware transport. You can easily run a client/server network with an
AdHoc
Wireless network transport. Access points become useful in hot-desking
environments, where you need people to roam around an office with a laptop.
By using a cell structure you can run 3 access points in a large building
to
increase coverage - each access point should be at least five channels away
from those adjacent. I haven't tried it but according to the documentation
it allows for seamless handover between cells when roaming - just like a
mobile phone.

The point I'm trying to make is that there is no real need for an access
point in a domestic setting, just stick a PCI card in the PC that has your
internet connection and turn on ICS, use an ad-hoc connection, and Bob is
your proverbial.

BTW ICS works with Madasafish DSL, but it doesn't seem to work with
Openworld. It seems to have something to do with IP addressing, but I can't
work out what. With my DSL connection, if I set it to obtain an IP address
through DHCP, the local network dies - even for netbios over tcp/ip or file
and folder sharing to give it its low tech name. If however I enter the
assigned IP statically then normal service is resumed. Madasafish don't
give
you your IP (in fact I have yet to receive any documentation from them),
but
for the un-initiated once you have your password and are logged on, open up
a DOS window, and type ipconfig /all and it will give you your static IP,
and the DNS server settings.

Tim.

-----Original Message-----
From: ant skelton [mailto:ant@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 09 January 2001 15:47
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Wireless LANs

On Tuesday 09 January 2001 15:45, you wrote:

> between the two. He also mentioned something about using PC cards
slotted
> into PCI cards

I have one of those in my linux box at work, without *too* many problems ;)
It's for development of "firmware AP" which will be along
shortly, where the
NIC itself does most of the AP work without much host processor
involvement,
doing away with the need for a real AP - you'd just nominate one of your
PCs
to be the AP.

cheers

ant
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