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General Meeting Report - April 2002
by Eric Saca - July 08, 2002 at 18:15:07:
EDITORS NOTE: this is last months report which didn’t make it into the newsletterSMC Networks joined us in April to present their latest wireless networking products. We were joined by Tony Stramandinoli, SMC’s Director of Product Marketing.
Alan Pearlman opened the meeting. After some Random Access, he mentioned that nominations for the annual elections close at our May meeting. Then the elections themselves occur in June. The currently nominated slate is as follows: President: Alan Pearlman Vice-President: James C. Smith Secretary: John Johnson Treasurer: Elise Edgell
Herb Wong, our Hardware Essentials SIG leader, introduced Tony Stramandinoli from SMC Networks. Tony began with a brief explanation of today’s wireless technology.
Wireless networks link nodes (servers, workstations, peripherals, any other equipment) through electronic signals instead of cables. These signals are sent through airwaves, much like those from standard cordless phones.
There are currently two "flavors" of wireless networking - the 802.11a and 802.11b standards. These two wireless communication methods are not compatible. 802.11a is newer and more advanced. (SMC hopes to soon produce wireless devices with a new, even more powerful standard - 802.11g.)
Wireless standard 802.11a supports connection speeds of up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps). 802.11b supports up to 11 Mbps. 802.11a supports maximum connection distances of up to 1,650 feet while 802.11b supports up to 1,800 feet. Of course, these distances can be extended with high-gain antennas (also sold by SMC). Another advantage of 802.11a is that it operates in the 5 GHz frequency spectrum, which avoids interference from other devices, like cordless phones, which use the crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum. 802.11a is more appropriate for enterprise-networking solutions because of its speed advantages, while 802.11b is better for home use of its MUCH lower cost (about $125 Vs $500 plus.
For the sake of security, network transmissions can be encrypted. However, connection speeds are slowed by as much as half when encryption is enabled.
Tony warned that electro-magnetic devices, like televisions, cordless phones and microwave ovens, can kill wireless signals, particularly when using 802.11b. He recommended keeping such devices as far as possible from wireless networks.
Of the available Windows versions, only XP has built-in drivers for wireless devices. Tony then went over SMC’s wireless products. They offer a full range of wireless products that support both the 802.11a and b standards. These include the following
Tony presented samples of most of these products to the audience. Access points allow wireless devices to connect to traditional wired networks. Once a cable is connected from a traditional hub or router to the access point, up to 64 wireless devices can connect to the network through that access point.
- USB and PCI network interface cards for desktops
- PC Card network adapters for laptops
- Compact Flashcard network adapters for PDA’s/pocket PCs
- Access points
- Bridges
- Routers
Bridges can be used to extend wireless networks between multiple buildings. As long as clear transmission is available between two bridges (one at each building), they can connect facilities as far as nine miles apart. Bridges aren’t cheap, however, running from $400 to $500 dollars apiece, but that TONS cheaper than running wires that distance.
SMC offers a wireless router as part of their popular Barricade product line. This wireless Barricade is a 3-port 10/100 Mbps dual speed switch, NAT router (connecting up to 253 nodes), hardware firewall, print server and 802.11b access point - all in one - configurable with web-based management.
Tony then demonstrated the equipment by connecting an ad-hoc network using the Barricade wireless router. His laptop was connected via a PC Card wireless adapter. He walked his laptop upstairs to the mezzanine area of Irvine Hall. (The network was set up downstairs in front.) He then asked a member in back to browse the Internet from that laptop, connected only through the wireless components. The member’s websites came up smoothly. (They did not even have to point the laptop in a particular direction to remain connected to the network.)
Afterward, he took his PDA to another member. This PDA had a Compact Flashcard wireless adapter. The member verified that the PDA was also connected to the Internet.
Someone asked how the wireless Barricade is configured. Tony demonstrated - by launching his web browser (Internet Explorer). It came up and in the Address bar, he entered the Barricade’s IP address.
A configuration screen appeared. After entering his password, Tony displayed the various configuration options available.
Herb Wong mentioned that the SMC website (www.smc.com) has in-depth documentation for most, if not all their products. Manuals are easy to download.
Throughout the presentation, members asked several other questions, such as the following:
- Can the wireless SMC access points, routers and other components work with non-SMC network interface cards? Yes.
- Can video servers function on all-wireless networks? Only on 802.11a networks, which allow sufficient connection speeds. 802.11b cannot handle the traffic.
- Can we add external antennas to any of the wireless products, to boost their signals? Yes, to the bridges.
- How often are firmware updates for these components released on the SMC website? About once a month average.
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