making a wide range wireless network

[q2418130103p]

so i have to make a preaty decent sized wireless network, but thats not the hard part, is has to be expandable later on.

im looking at at least 2 access points right now and up to 10 total later on.

what devices do i need to set this up, can i just get AP's that have the ability to bridge? if so, which ones shoul i get.

all the devices are gonna be indoors, but i want to use quality devices, better than linksys or dlink, but not as expensive as some crazy cisco device (although a cheaper cisco device would be fine)

thanx,
jay

[mbossman2]

how large of an area are you trying to cover now and in the future?

how may users, now and in the future?

What kind of applications are you running, now and in the future?

is there any technical reason that you can't get wires to all of your AP's?

[q2418130103p]

i can get wires to my initial AP's, but some of them in the future i may not be able to, the reason im not sure is because i havent been priveed with seeing the blueprints of the additions to the building (which will nearly tripple its size).

the initial area is not massive, but its penetration that may be an issue, its a 2 floor building, 10,000sqr feet each floor (~100ft*100ft), with a steel/concrete floor. the first floor is most open space, the basement is office rooms.

applications for wireless users isnt really an issue, mostly just web/mail/printing. i couldnt tell you how many users, the number would be fairly small, under 20, but they have a wide roaming area around the building.

[mbossman2]

well, in a commerical application I am not thrilled with repeaters mainly because you usually put wireless up in ceilings and running electrical to repeaters is a PITA as well as a firecode issue...

based upon your dimensions, you *should* be able to run Cat5 cables to all points and still be within the 100m requirement, altho it may require a proactive relocation of your wiring closets..

as to penetration, I would not rely on AP's on the floor above or below to service the other floor...too many penetration, interference and coverage issues.

I would wait on exact product selection until you have access to the blueprints and an idea as to the wiring plan for the structure...once you have that then the wireless layout will fall into place...otherwise you are shooting in the dark..

sorry I can't be more specific than that...

[q2418130103p]

can you at least offer any insight into the type of ap i should be looking at (as in a manufactoring company, or a class (enterprise, buisness etc)).

[mbossman2]

Ok, for you it sounds like you need to be in the commerical lines of products, so that gives you a choice of a few:

Cisco
3Com
Symbol
for traditional "autonomous" AP's

Cisco
Aruba
for lightweight/centrally managed AP's
(these require AP's AND a central management device - slick if you have a bunch of AP's that are in relatively inaccessible places and you need to make changes to their configs and security settings...slightly more expensive than the autonomous ones, especially at the 10-15 unit level, but beyond that they really give you a solid ROI from the support/management cost side)

Also don't underestimate the business line of Linksys, they are really good solid performers...

(Cisco Sales pitch here - - I am a Cisco guy).
Cisco has some really good pricing programs for folks who have never had Cisco products, especially wireless, switching and security, in their network. Will these programs make it the cheapest solution? no, but it may make them more price competitive...PM if you need assistance on a reseller.

[q2418130103p]

ok, so thats a preatty wide range of products, you dont suggest any of the d-link commercial products?

(thanx for the info on the reseller thing)

[mbossman2]

No experience with them so I can give you nothing substantive on them