nachob79 <nachob79.2vmvgc@no-mx.wirelessforums.org> hath wroth:
>I have a small web desing agency.
Methinks you mean web design agency.
>We work mostly with files 1 to 10mb
>and sometimes with larger files (up to 300 - 400mb). We are moving files
>over the network from workstations to server and backwards (we have a
>file check out system on the server). At this time we are 4 desingers,
>but I need a solution that works up to 8 / 10 peole.
Do these workstations move around the office? I know the server
doesn't. If they don't move, then you don't need wireless. Wireless
is great for laptops, PDA's and portable computers. It is NOT good
for high performance workstation to server file transfers.
My office is in an office complex along with several architects. You
haven't seen big files until you've seen the monsters that these guys
move around. I switched them from 100baseT to 1000base-T and
1000base-SX (fiber). There was a huge improvement in performance and
load times. When I segmented the LAN by installing multiple gigabit
cards in the file server (Windoze 2003), performance improved even
more.
If you wanna do some benchmarking, download Iperf and run some
bechmarks to/from your file server.
>We are moving from our office to a new location, and I'm thinking to
>install only a WLAN network but I don't know if the speed would be good
>for me.
Think again. Connecting fixed workstations is not a good application
for wireless. Lots of reasons but the big one is that airtime and
wireless are a shared medium. If you have one machine downloading
furiously at some rate, the next machine to start downloading will cut
the speed in half. Three machines by 1/3 and so on. In addition, the
microwave oven will stop the nextwork dead. So will the neighbors
cordless phone, or any one of these devices:
<http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi#Interference>
>At this time we are working ok on a 100mbps wired network. I
>heard that 802.11n have speeds up to 300mbps (that's 3 times faster),
>but I don't know if that's only in theory or if in practice it will work
>at that speed.
Yep, it's possible. I just read an article in Network World how some
university deployed Meru 802.11n access points and obtained speeds
that were faster than their 100baseT wired network. Yeah, it can be
done, with limitations. The range will be short. There can't be any
interference. The speed is shared with other concurrent users. It's
not guaranteed or reliable.
<http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2006/080706-mimo-router-test.html>
(note: the above article is 1 year old)
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2007/061107-burning-questions.html#1>
>So I have the next questions:
>
>1) The 300mbps of 802.11n are true on practice or only on theory on
>"ideal" situations?
300Mbits/sec would be ideal and bordering on science fiction. This
should offer a clue. One of my favorite vendors, Buffalo, was a bit
over-enthusiastic on their performance claims.
<http://www.buffalotech.com/settlement_notice/>
Everyone else is lying just as badly, but so far, only Buffalo has
attracted the attorneys.
"In the Robinson lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the
description in advertising and packaging of the data rate
for certain Buffalo Technology Wireless Products has been
false and misleading."
>2) If we connect 3 users at the same time, what will happen with the
>speed?
Divide the aggregate speed by 3 (or more). Usually, the total speeds
are somewhat less than a single stream speed because of lack of
synchronization between the various 802.11 clients.
>we have to split the total speed between all the users
>connected?
Yep.
>3) Is there any problem right now with security and availability for
>WLANs?
Security is fine as long as you use WPA or WPA2. I have some issues
with the shared key leaking outside the company. If that's a problem,
since you have a server, setting up a RADIUS server to handle logins
and issue one-time encryption keys, should be considered.
>4) I'm considering Linksys WRVS4400N router. It's good or there are
>better routers for this?
Sorry. No experience yet with this model.
>5) What would be a nice configuration for me? (router, access point,
>switch... I don't know what I need)
CAT6 cable or fiber on a managed gigabit switch. Forget about
wireless for fixed workstations.
--
Jeff Liebermann
jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
Re: Wireless LAN configuration for a small web desing agency 
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