wi-fi wireless lan access points specs ?

[Mario]

Hello,

I am staring to get into wi-fi, but I am confussed of so many stuff
out there.

I would like to put a wi-fi access point inside our work place network
lan.

The range if possible it should reach is: 200 meters if possible, else
tell me what is largest range available ?

What is the highest Mbps speed available now ?

what is the latest protocol and what do they mean ?

802.11 b stands for what ? g means what ? what are the differences
between b and g? are there any other ?

Please I have no idea how to choose the right access point, please
tell me what I should look for when buyign one ?

Ask me anythign you want to know in order to help me choose the right
access point.

with or without router in the access point ?

What I have to look into the PCI PC card ?

WHat are the best reliable brands that also have good drivers and
support ?

any good web site links to first sterp learnign about wi-fi ?

Thanks,

Mario

 

[Rich Seifert]

any good web site links to first sterp learnign about wi-fi ?

The obvious:

http://www.wi-fi.org

You can check their FAQ (which should answer most of your questions):

http://www.wi-fi.org/OpenSection/FAQ.asp?TID=2


--
Rich Seifert Networks and Communications Consulting
21885 Bear Creek Way
(408) 395-5700 Los Gatos, CA 95033
(408) 395-1966 FAX

Send replies to: usenet at richseifert dot com

 

[Dr. Anton Squeegee]

The range if possible it should reach is: 200 meters if possible, else
tell me what is largest range available ?

Range is dependent on so many factors that it's hard to give a
concrete figure. 200 meters is a pretty long stretch, so make sure you
use a good quality EXTERNAL antenna (don't get an access point that has
a fixed/non-replaceable antenna).

What is the highest Mbps speed available now ?

802.11g at 54 megabits.

what is the latest protocol and what do they mean ?

802.11b and 802.11g are the current standards, and they're both
IEEE standards. You can reap up on the specs yourself at
http://www.ieee.org

802.11 b stands for what ? g means what ? what are the differences
between b and g? are there any other ?

See above. Read the standards.

Please I have no idea how to choose the right access point, please
tell me what I should look for when buyign one ?

Totally dependent on your application, but Linksys seems to get
fair reviews.

with or without router in the access point ?

That's up to you. Do you want the wireless side to have its own
subnet, or do you want the node to be a simple extension of your
existing network?

What I have to look into the PCI PC card ?
Huh?

any good web site links to first sterp learnign about wi-fi ?

Others will likely contribute their own hints, but I will add this
much. Do NOT skimp on security when you install your node! Even WEP can
be cracked in a couple of hours with a copy of AirSnort and enough
packets.

If I were doing this, I'd have the wireless node also be a router,
and I would make certain to put a hardware firewall between our regular
LAN and the wireless unit (assuming said unit didn't have a stateful-
type firewall built in).

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Not skimping on security:

Look for: 802.1x capability (note--you need to supply 802.1x
infrastructure--mainly an authenticating server?)

WPA--this is the WEP replacement encryption method. You
WANT this, but both the AP and the nic drivers and other drivers on the
client machines must support this for it to work.