Need to set up an apartment complex with WiFi

[deadlysyn]

I have a client with an apartment complex, which is for low income, senior citizens. There are about 8 buildings, which I need to extend the wireless signal to, and am coming up with some ideas, but not much really. One option, is a long omnidirectional antenna, and the other is to set up repeaters in each building. I would prefer to do the single omnidirectional antenna, as well as the client, due to the lower price. I have been searching and searching for something that would fit the bill, and so far, I have found a few parts from Hawking that advertise to do the job I need, but I don't know much of their quality. My client has received a wireless router/modem from Qwest, and it is made by Motorola. I am looking to use THIS ANTENNA (http://www.gohawking.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=316), and would prefer to use Wireless N if at all possible, but I am having a hard time finding an access point with a removable antenna, that will seem to work with this setup. I did come across one that is wireless G, FOUND HERE (http://www.gohawking.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=36_67&products_id=236) and am seriously considering it, since I will be setting this up for older people, that are likely to not have Wireless N. I was just hoping to go with N to help future proof things, but it seems that what I am looking for, is either beyond the budget of the client, or does not seem to have the removable antenna that I am looking for. Does anyone have any ideas? Will this setup work, if I were to set the Hawking Router up as an access point only? Does anyone have any experience with anything from this company, and can they be trusted to furnish quality equipment?

[dark_15]

You're far better off using something along the lines of Cisco and/or Aruba Networks Wireless AP's and controllers, especially when working with multiple buildings. You will need something that is a bit more manageable than using some cheap off-the shelf router and a big antenna. Moreover you will be able to manage everything centrally rather than logging into individual AP's. Do you have a budget and/or RFP to provide a solution?


Just my $0.02

[PLOBBY]

http://meraki.com/

Check it out...Cool Stuff...

Not bashing on Cisco/Aruba because the stuff works great, but it comes with a large learning curve if you are not familiar with it and price point most people cant deal with.

[deadlysyn]

The budget is basically as cheap as possible, due to the complex being federally funded, low income, senior apartments. I think that has quite a bit to do with the reason that I chose the Hawking parts. I will also be under a contract to help make changes to the network, as tenants move in and out, as well as any required maintenance on the network. One of the estimates they were given was around $800 in equipment, and that was the single antenna method, while they also quoted them for repeaters on each building, at $80 a piece (making me wonder if that route is even worth it, since it would require more maintenance, and also does not sound like quality parts). I was able to quote them out at less than $1000 with the access point and the antenna, but the Hawking stuff seems to be somewhat hard to find reviews on. Has anyone worked with their stuff, and is it good enough to keep a small apartment complex full of senior citizens happy? There are only a total of about 16 apartments, and the buildings are fairly close together. As much as I would really like to use some Cisco stuff, I don't think they are willing to spend the money on it.

[Flurp]

Look into those repeaters that work through the outlets maybe? the one's you just plug to wall and plug to the comp/router/ etc... can't remember name :\

[dark_15]

The budget is basically as cheap as possible, due to the complex being federally funded, low income, senior apartments. I think that has quite a bit to do with the reason that I chose the Hawking parts. I will also be under a contract to help make changes to the network, as tenants move in and out, as well as any required maintenance on the network. One of the estimates they were given was around $800 in equipment, and that was the single antenna method, while they also quoted them for repeaters on each building, at $80 a piece (making me wonder if that route is even worth it, since it would require more maintenance, and also does not sound like quality parts). I was able to quote them out at less than $1000 with the access point and the antenna, but the Hawking stuff seems to be somewhat hard to find reviews on. Has anyone worked with their stuff, and is it good enough to keep a small apartment complex full of senior citizens happy? There are only a total of about 16 apartments, and the buildings are fairly close together. As much as I would really like to use some Cisco stuff, I don't think they are willing to spend the money on it.
If it's for healthcare/government, I'm sure you could get some significant discounts. While I can't vouch for the equipment, I can at least point you in the right direction on getting some design layouts. I would stick with a multiple AP/repeater setup, because I don't think you're going to find a big enough antenna to saturate all the buildings, as well as a single router to allow 20+ people to connect to it concurrently. How large are these buildings? Are we talking single homes or complexes? Can you plot out some major sources of disruption (e.g. cordless phones, microwaves)? That will greatly affect your AP placement.

One more product to look at would be the Orinoco series from Proxim. I've used these before in a wireless deployment for a school. They are a bit more expensive than your average WAP, but still well under Cisco's prices. Like I said, since this is Federal/Healthcare you may be eligible for discounts and/or grants that would make this equipment even cheaper.

One more thing: This is going to be used for only the residents/families, correct? No medical records or personal information will be transmitted across this?

[deadlysyn]

If it's for healthcare/government, I'm sure you could get some significant discounts. While I can't vouch for the equipment, I can at least point you in the right direction on getting some design layouts. I would stick with a multiple AP/repeater setup, because I don't think you're going to find a big enough antenna to saturate all the buildings, as well as a single router to allow 20+ people to connect to it concurrently. How large are these buildings? Are we talking single homes or complexes? Can you plot out some major sources of disruption (e.g. cordless phones, microwaves)? That will greatly affect your AP placement.

One more product to look at would be the Orinoco series from Proxim. I've used these before in a wireless deployment for a school. They are a bit more expensive than your average WAP, but still well under Cisco's prices. Like I said, since this is Federal/Healthcare you may be eligible for discounts and/or grants that would make this equipment even cheaper.

One more thing: This is going to be used for only the residents/families, correct? No medical records or personal information will be transmitted across this?

The buildings are more like small duplexes, and there are a total of 8, not including the office. The office system will be wired, so I don't need to be too concerned with that building. It will be used strictly for the tenants, and I was planning to make it a secured connection, so that there are no driveby hijackers killing the traffic with their laptops on bittorent. This is a small town, so I don't think that will be too much of an issue, but I prefer to stay on the safe side. I do have another meeting on Tuesday with the apartment manager, so I will see if she can tell me the area that I actually need to be able to cover. I am actually going to try to give her a call tomorrow, and see if I can get some more information.

Things have been slow lately, so I could really use this job. If I can get the parts needed extremely cheap, and still be able to do it in a reasonable amount of time, I may have a shot at pulling out of this slow time.

[Flurp]

could you by any chance give us a layout of the buildings? like how large, orientation, how far apart etc... ?

[deadlysyn]

could you by any chance give us a layout of the buildings? like how large, orientation, how far apart etc... ?

I am working on getting a copy of the plans of the complex, and will try to scale them down to a viewable size once I have them.

[deadlysyn]

I have noticed a few posts on other forums, recommending Renasis products as well. Does anyone have any experience with them? I was looking at this AP (http://www.streakwave.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=SAP36g-OD&eq=&Tp=), and it looks like I can set up an external antenna as well. What would be a good choice for repeaters? I am looking to keep the price as low as possible, while still getting decent quality for my client. I will also be under a contract to make any changes to the network as tenants move in and out, so ease of use is also something I am looking for. Would I really need a separate antenna for that AP, or is the 5.5 dbi that it comes with going to be plenty? I also have an appointment to meet with the manager of the complex to try and get the plans, or possibly the measurements, tomorrow, so I should have a better idea of what kind of area I will be dealing with.

[g0dM@n]

Subscribed. Been discussing this project with deadly for a while now and eager to see the end result.

Keep up the good work!! :)

[AMD Phreak]

What is the result of this project. As a WLAN/WIFI engineer I am curious.

[deadlysyn]

What is the result of this project. As a WLAN/WIFI engineer I am curious.

So far there is no progress, as I had to go out of state for a family emergency. As soon as I get back home, I will be working on it, but I did do another site survey, and the farthest apartment is less than 1000 feet from where the access point will be, so I am going to try the Renasis access point, and I think that will show me where I will need to set up the repeaters.