WAP

What's you WiMAX plan B?

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:56 -0500

WiMAX can't be declared dead, yet, but it's pretty darned puny from a marketplace perspective. So, just in case the whole WiMAX thing doesn't work out like you'd hoped, what are you going to do for the high-speed wireless access that your mobile employees need? On the one hand, 802.11n is rapidly moving toward final approval and codification, and is becoming a more realistic corporate option in the process. On the other hand, EV-DO and HSDPA are each maturing rapidly and offering high-speed access through existing networks. 802.11n and the latest in 3G technology will likely each be widely available before WiMAX rolls out in every major market--but there's always the chance that the new Sprint announcement will move things forward in a WiMAX direction. Keep your options open--that seems to be the wireless rule of the day.

For more on the state of WiMAX:
- Read the wireless thoughts at NetworkWorld

Merak: San Francisco free WiFi

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

The promise and frustration of free municipal WiFi have kept hopeful fans of anywhere networked computing on an emotional roller coaster for over a year now. One of the most visible instances of disappointment has been found in the City by the Bay, as tech-savvy San Francisco's municipal WiFi plans waxed and waned. Now, though, Merak has committed to a citywide network based on a mesh of access points combining higher-power units based on municipal infrastructure with lower-power in-fill units that would be located on residential porches, balconies, and fence posts. The Apes are supposed to begin showing up soon, with a full roll-out by the end of the year. Keep your fingers crossed, San Franciscans.

For more on Merak's San Francisco WiFi:
- Read the complete account at CIO-Today

Go slow on open WiFi

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

If you or your executives have to work while on the road, you know just how important finding open WiFi hotspots can be. The trouble is that open hotspots aren't necessarily safe hotspots--figuring out how to be safe while computing from a public WiFi access point is a skill critical to successful long-term mobile work. There are several key things to remember: always assume that someone is sniffing your traffic stream, VPN always, and don't trust a standard security suite to be the only protection you need to keep your data safe. It's possible to be responsible while computing from a public WiFi hotspot, but it takes planning, discipline, and the right tools to make it work.

For more on safe open WiFi computing:
- Read the hands-on instructions at CIO-Today

802.11n rolls out for real

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

After months of talk, it's finally here--the first large-scale 802.11n deployment. At Morrisville State College in New York, a network with 720 802.11n access points from Meru Networks has been rolled out, and the college (not to mention the rest of the 802.11n-wanting world) is waiting to see if 802.11n lives up to the promises. Now that 802.11n is finally moving toward final form, it will be interesting to see if the spec works as well as expected. No formal benchmarks have been run on the Morrisville network yet, but keep checking--numbers will certainly be available soon.

For more on the ground-breaking 802.11n deployment:
- Read the real-world report at NetworkWorld

St. Louis muni-WiFi squashed

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

They're dropping like flies… San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, and now, St. Louis. They've all seen plans for a city-wide WiFi hotspot bloom and then whither away to nothing. For St. Louis, the latest in the line of crushed WiFi dreams, the problems were only partially financial: power--in particular, electrical power for access points--turned out to be the problem that couldn't be solved for AT&T and the city. If you're a fan of metro WiFi, though, don't despair: there's still Philadelphia.

For more on the St. Louis WiFi project:
- Read the business news at NetworkWorld

Viva Vegas wireless

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:01:37 -0400

If you want to bet on municipal wireless, where do you go? Vegas, baby! At least, that's the hope of city leaders who have signed a contract to put Las Vegas on the path to wireless networking for citizens and city employees from access points located on traffic signals and street sign poles and housings. The idea of a wireless network that covers a city, bridging the "digital divide" and lowering connectivity costs for municipal infrastructure devices and employees, is attractive to many governments. It's not all smooth sailing, though, as cities like Philadelphia and some locations in Florida can attest. There are lessons to be learned, and resources to be used in the installations that work--and more systems are on the way.

For more on Las Vegas networking:
- Read the account at CIO-Today

Tips for better WLANs

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:01:37 -0400

Once upon a time, just getting a wireless network connection was enough. Now, users want performance to go along with their connectivity. What steps do you need to take to make sure your users stay happy?

1. Install more access points than you need--more transmitters can mean better performance.

2. Don't put access points too far off the ground--they can have trouble locking onto a ground-based client.

3. Avoid crowded spectrum--use 802.11a or the 5 GHz portion of 802.11n to stay away from the jammed 2.4 GHz spectrum.

4. Think centralized--a managed wireless switch architecture can boost performance, security, and manageability for your wireless network.

For more on making your WLAN better:
- Read the tips at Network World

Philly wi-fi ready

Mon, 28 May 2007 20:01:38 -0400

Philadelphia, one of the nation's largest and poorest cities, has completed testing of its largest-in-the-nation municipal wi-fi system. When fully operational, the system will offer wireless access to homeowners in the city for a small (sliding) fee, or at no charge from city parks, municipal buildings, and training facilities. The Philadelphia system, though not unique in concept, stands alone in scale for both the number of both individuals and square miles covered. While not without problems, municipal wi-fi systems such as Philadelphia's are seen as important for helping to bridge the Internet-access gap.

For more on Philadelphia's municipal system:
- read the analysis at eWeek

Related Article:
EarthLink launches Philadelphia muni-WiFi. Report

802.11 architectures evolve

Sun, 13 May 2007 20:01:36 -0400

It's simple, right? You either build your wireless LAN on the fat-AP model of traditional access points or you use a central controller and a thin-AP model. Not so fast--wireless vendors are changing models and modifying their architectures as they consider new technology and plan for the impact of 802.11n. Have you looked at your wireless architecture, lately? You should, especially if you have your eye on one of the nifty new pre-n systems.

For more on evolving architectures:
- Read the newsletter article at NetworkWorld

No more wireless routers?

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:01:38 -0400

A team of academics has developed software that may let organizations dump their wireless routers in favor of a mesh network made of the laptop computers that they already have and open-source software from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The new software implements a mesh technology in laptop computers spread more than 900 feet apart outdoors to allow roving computers to access the Internet without the need for either a network of access points or a 3G WAN connection. Developers hope to eventually extend the Wi-Peer software to include cell networks for a truly wide-ranging solution.

For more on the mobile mesh software:
- read the news story at Network World