multiple wireless routers???

[brianflanagan]

Hi all,

I currently have a hardwired LAN at my place of business that consists of one Server with an 8 port hub connected to two additional 4-port hubs handling two seperate zones. I would like to move to a wireless LAN but I am concerned about the distance between the main server and the clients. I am also adding high speed internet to the LAN as well.

What I am thinking of doing is this: Switch out the 8 port hub with an 8-port router and connect the High Speed Internet (cable) to it. Then, hardwire a wireless router to the main router to handle one zone, then add an additional hardwired router to the second router for the second zone - (Basically making a long chain of three routers). The clients for each zone would be within 100 feet of each router, but the routers are going to be about 300 feet apart.

I'm not sure if I should use routers to handle all of this or if there are wireless hubs that I can use or if this is even the best way to handle what I want to do. :)

I would also appreciate any advice as to recommended brands to use/avoid.

Thanks,
Brian
brianflanagan@highstream.net

[ragman]

Whats wrong with going down the wireless route? Just use signal boosters for your routers/switches and you should be fine. That way, you won't have to worry about long cabling.

[brianflanagan]

I can certainly do what you describe using signal boosters, but I just assumed it would be easy enough to hardwire the routers as I already have the cabling in place from the pre-existing wired LAN. that way I can avoid having to buy signal boosters.

Also, should I be using routers in this case? I want all the clients to be able to connect to the High Speed Internet but would I have to configure each client depending on the router to which they are connecting? As I undersatand it (and this certainly could be incorrect) each router has it's own IP. Whereas at present I am using hubs which do not have IP's. I am assuming that in order to go wireless, I need to replace the hubs with routers. If that is the case, will I possibly encounter addressing issues for client configuration as several clients will have to chain through 3 routers to get to the High Speed Internet modem? Ultimately what I would love to hear is that they make wireless hubs...

Thanks,
Brian
brianflanagan@highstream.net

[brianflanagan]

Ok,

I'm learning more and more each day... :)

Basically, what I think I need to know is, what would be the wireless equivilent to a hub? What I want to do is replace my hubs from my exisiting LAN with wireless receivers. Should I use a router, bridge, switch, or access point?

Thanks,
Brian
brianflanagan@highstream.net

[Greenstead]

You need a main NAT router (as you have proposed) and two Access Points (APs). Wire both APs back to the router LAN ports. You are considering 802.11g I presume (hope).

Bear in mind that wired is much better than wireless (e.g. wireless G 10Mbps throput vs wired 90Mbps throput) so only go wireless where it is a real benefit to be able to often move the PC around. That means you should retain the outlying hubs (better to replace then with small switchs).

If you want top quality (and price) check Orinoco (Proxim). Otherwise, still good, checkout SMC, Netgear, Linksys, D-Link.
Linksys is a good site for giving you topology layouts.

[brianflanagan]

Thanks for the help. :)

The only thing I'm worried about is the distance between one of the AP's and the router. If I try to wire both AP's back to the router, one will be about 500 feet from the router, which is why I was thinking along the lines of a chaining topology. Is that too far for a hardwire connection? If so, is there a booster I would need to be able to make the distance?

I did check out the Linksys site and it was very helpful, but it didn't seem to take distance into effect. Maybe I'm just remembering my technology from the last time I did this stuff a few years ago and things have improved since then. :)

Brian

[2K2_Firehawk]

Brian, you cant go more than about 300 feet with Cat-5 Cable. You could go about 250 feet or so, and then have your access point. Or you could go about 250 feet, put one of your hubs there, and then run another cable off of that hub to the point you want your AP. It would work, but a little switch would be better if you are going to daisy chain your devices to make up for the distance.

Hope Thant helps-


-J :D

[brianflanagan]

Thanks for the help. :)

Brian