Expanding Wired Net to Wireless Students

[machmoth]

Here's the situation.
We currently have a campus-wide, wired network. Internet is provided through DNS, and the like, on Windows 2000. Our portion of the network is the Computer Lab, with 4 servers, and about 70 wired stations.

Our goal is to provide terminal services and internet to students with wireless laptops in the library and study area (range, thus not being a major problem). For terminal services, all platforms will be windows. We need students to be able to connect with as little personal setup as possible. For resources, we currently have (all wireless D-link) a router, AP, destop nic, and laptop nic (card bus). What configuration do you think would work best. The router has proven fair to worthless. It can't seem to handle extensive traffic without locking up, and doesn't seem to fit in with our purpose. So, I won't feel upset if we can't use it.

[egkor]

machmoth,

I'll reply, if nothing else to get the conversation started.

What is the maximum number of users you wish to support on your network, in your area, at one time?

Will all your users have laptops? Will you require one standard (i.e. wireless) to connect to your network, or will you have ethernet jacks available for wired access?

Will your department be furnishing the NICs to your users, along with drivers and instructions for configuration?

Will you require your users to use certain OS's?

Is the Internet server you mention the "WAN" connection or feed that the router is allowing shared access to?

-egkor

[Greenstead]

As I understand it, you are going to provide the existing campus network service and internet service, not a separate service. The wireless node(s) you intend to setup are therefore just another media to connect users to the campus network. So, in principle all you need is to connect wireless Access Points around the library to provide wireless coverage. The default configuration for the Access Point, and the default configuration for a wireless card in a laptop will allow users to connect to the campus services (wireless technology is designed to make it easy). The campus DHCP service should automatically provide each laptop with a local IP, gateway address and DNS addresses.

If the campus requires authentication to use its internet service then a user will be presented with an authentication window to connect, and only registered campus users will get access.

Presumably you are arranging this in conjunction with the campus network administration.

[unixfan]

If you need such a implimentation team to do such a job, please contact me at doug@netconxwireless.com. My company is doing this exact same setup for GA Tech. I am VP, Operations for NetconX, Inc. and deal exclussively in Agere and YDI wireless products.