Re: Private WiFi in hotel room; security/interference issues

One case where wireless may not suit your classes is if all the laptops
need to stream video simulataneously or transfer large files to and from
laptops.  802.11b has about 5.5mbps of usable shared bandwidth.

More comments inline below.

At 11:51 PM 1/10/2006 -0600, you wrote:
>My 2 cents:
>I've never seen a meeting room in a hotel that is bigger than the range 
>of standard off-the-self APs & laptops equipped with internal 
>cards/antennas, so I wouldn't worry too much about external antennas at 
>this point.
>
>Get NetStumbler (www.netstumbler.com) & you can see the existing 
>networks, try to stay 3 channels away from the hotel's wifi to minimize 
>interference. (if they are on 6, you go to 3 or 9)

In the US, the non-overlapping wireless channels are 1, 6, and 11, so I'd
change this recommendation to scan for existing networks then choose
whichever channel of 1, 6,or 11 that is least used (or if in use, has the
lowest signal).

>If you want to keep people off your network I'd suggest 
>http://www.demarctech.com/products/reliawave-rwo/rwo-plus-15a.htm , but 
>check with them first to ensure that in AP mode you can set it to only 
>accept connections from MAC addresses specifically listed, otherwise you 
>might need an RWV model (what I use for outdoor application). then you 
>setup an ACL that has only the MAC addys of YOUR laptops. Might not be 
>the cheapest but will do what you want.

The WRT54G (avoid v5, G serials CDFBxxxx and GS serials CGN60xxxx) can do
MAC address filtering and WPA (linksysinfo.org can point you to 3rd party
firmware).  In my area, the local Sam's Clubs have a decent stock of the
older units (CGN10, CGN30).

>Also, I assume that the laptops will be running some version of windows 
>- if XP - DON"T let windows autoconfigure - manually set it up & it 
>can't accidentally roam to another network.

BTW, hidden SSIDs make it easier for your Windows PCs to 'roam' to another
network, away from the hidden network.  (I don't recommend the hidden SSID
route.)

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