Setting up Wireless networks for business environment...?

Question

Ok since this is clearly for IT Techs I will be brief:

Best Hub/switch to use?
Is setting a Domain (server/Client) based network using server 2000/2003/Xp Pro the same as wired networks once its connected?

When does it bottleneck (how many nodes) when you are sharing internet over the wireless network?

What are the biggest headaches generally or is it as simple as it looks?

Answer 1

You will be better using dhcp from the server and turning off any dhcp from the other equipment. You should use a fast switch you can to link the wireless access points, each of which may handle 20 - 30 machines. If you keep the number per point down a little they perform better. The only problem is that some wireless cards can be slow starting on switching the machine on, or refuse to start until after login, this presents problems for domain profiles. I find Netgear cards reliably start before login and fairly fast. It pays to ask users to leave the machine at the login screen for a minute or two before actually logging on. I have not had too much trouble with this, so have not investigating forcing the machines to hold back the login screen until wireless connection completes, but it should not be too difficult to implement. In effect the lower speed of wireless can relieve the load of multiple nodes on 100M or 1000M switches.

Answer 2

It can be as simple or as hard, depend on who is doing it.

If theres only a few people sharing files, then dont even need a domain controller. anymore I would suggest SmallBusiness Server 2003.

Wireless router should have WPA for maximun protection.

Bottleneck is a term, like a 4 lane highway but more than 4 cars is trying to use it at the same time.

Answer 3

As for the setting up of domain based notwurx, 'tis pretty much identical.

I can't truely recconmend any hardware, as I havn't owned or TTD any business models(at least, havn't been able to run diagnostics afterwards)

It is as simple as it looks, but nothing ever is, if you catch my dift.

As fo bottlenecks, hardware dependant. But even @54mbps, 49sumphin megabytes a second aint really that slow...