Re: Question on range testing

Matt Westervelt <[email protected]>
Newsgroups gmane.network.wireless.seattle.general
Message-ID <[email protected]>
Yup.

2511s have this nasty habit of associating to non-specified APs when 
using old firmware.    It's extremely annoying.



Robert Hubley wrote:

> That's interesting.  I have been holding back upgrading the firmware 
> for fear of
> damaging them.  They both have very old versions of the firmware on them.
> Do you know how that could influence this type of test?
>
> Matt Westervelt wrote:
>
>> You'll also want to make sure you're running the latest firmware on 
>> the cards.
>>
>>
>> Tyler van Houwelingen wrote:
>>
>>> you will need to run the antennas in horizontal polarization for 
>>> links over water.  this will make all the difference.
>>>
>>> tyler
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Tyler van Houwelingen
>>> Founder and CEO
>>> Azulstar Networks, Inc.
>>> 1051 Jackson, Grand Haven, MI 49417
>>> 1117 Rio Rancho Blvd 13, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
>>> 1-877-AZULSTAR
>>> www.azulstar.com
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Hubley" 
>>> <[email protected]>
>>> To: <[email protected]>
>>> Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 2:37 PM
>>> Subject: Question on range testing
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> We have been attempting to test the range of two Engenius 2511 
>>>> 200mw cards
>>>> over water.  Unfortunately we have not been able to setup a 
>>>> reliable test platform.
>>>> ( ie. sometimes I can't get it to connect when it's 10 feet away! 
>>>> ). What we have
>>>> are:
>>>>
>>>> 2 - Engenius 2511 EXT 200mw pcmcia cards
>>>> 1 - BitsyX ( Soekris-like embeded linux board ) with pcmcia slot
>>>>       running wireless-tools and hostap drivers.
>>>> 1 - Windows 2K laptop with windows Engenius drivers loaded ( + cygwin
>>>>      package for tools like scp etc ).
>>>> 2 - 15db Omni antennas
>>>> 1 - 15db Panel antenna
>>>>
>>>> Software setup:
>>>>
>>>>  BitsyX:  iwconfig wlan0:
>>>>                             mode: ad-hoc
>>>>                               essid: "bitsyX"
>>>>                            encryption: None
>>>>                ifconfig wlan0:
>>>>                           ip: 10.0.0.1
>>>>                      bcast: 10.0.0.255
>>>>                         gw: 10.0.0.1
>>>>
>>>>  Windows:    "bitsyX" appears in available networks when the two units
>>>>                       are close together.  Added "bitsyX" to 
>>>> preferred network list ( only one ).
>>>>                       TCP/IP for the wireless card:
>>>>                                   ip: 10.0.0.2
>>>>                               bcast: 10.0.0.255
>>>>                                 gw: 10.0.0.2
>>>>
>>>> When the planets align ( which is most of the time in our house ) 
>>>> we can ping
>>>> the embedded computer from windows.  This is a relatively calm ( 
>>>> radio signal )
>>>> environment where only one other wireless network exists.
>>>> When we go to our test site ( lots of other wireless equipment in 
>>>> the area ) we
>>>> run into connectivity problems ( cannot even ping the other 
>>>> computer ).
>>>> The interesting thing is the imbedded computer "sees" lots of ap's 
>>>> in and around the
>>>> general geographical region of the windows box.  Although the 
>>>> signal levels are in
>>>> the -70 to -80 range.    The windows box is useless....as the 
>>>> drivers don't appear to
>>>> tell you correctly what "networks" it can see or an accurate signal 
>>>> level
>>>> ( it appears to cache them from when the computer's were close 
>>>> together ).
>>>> Ok...so you can see our frustration.  My direct questions are:
>>>>
>>>>  1. Could it be that setting up ad-hoc mode with no encryption is 
>>>> allowing other
>>>>      wireless devices in the area to "steal" one of my test devices 
>>>> and thus not
>>>>      allowing a connection?  I thought it was sufficient to set the 
>>>> ESSID to something
>>>>      agreed upon and most likely unique.
>>>>
>>>>  2. Are there any nice tools for monitoring the real status of the 
>>>> wireless
>>>>      card on a windows box and monitoring what it can "see"  in 
>>>> real time?
>>>>
>>>>  3. Are there any standard configurations used in this type of 
>>>> "bridge"
>>>>      range tests?
>>>>                                   BTW....we tested over Elliot Bay 
>>>> ( Myrtle Edwards/Elliot Bay Park to Hamilton Viewpoint Park
>>>> in West Seattle ).  4 meters off the water.  One panel antenna and 
>>>> one omni.  Also tried
>>>> both omni.  Saw lots of networks over in Magnolia from West Seattle 
>>>> ( all locked down ).
>>>>
>>>> Any pointers would be greatly appreciated,
>>>>
>>>> -R
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>>
>>>> "irreligous progressive liberal!"
>>>>
>>>> irreligious = "not controlled by religious motives or principles"
>>>> progressive = "favoring improvement, change, progress, reform"
>>>> liberal = "Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish"
>>>>
>>>> Sign me up for irreligious progressive liberal status right away, 
>>>> these are all the things I've always wanted to be!
>>>>
>>>> -Alan Partridge
>>>>
>>>> Look!
>>>> I just want sharks with frikken laserbeams attached to their heads!
>>>>
>>>>
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