On Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 11:05:51AM -0800, Rick Lindahl wrote: > Russell, all, > > I just thought of one more question… Does this pricing for > the Alix include the mini-PCI radio, pigtail adaptor and/or > antenna? Or, are we expecting these to plug into existing > wireless AP/routers? It seems short sighted not to include > everything “in the box” for this type of program, especially > when you create a single management interface and tighter > configuration. Also, managing a separate wireless ap/router > attached to the Alix box creates all sorts of additional > tech support headaches. > > Thoughts? > > Rick Lindahl
I'm only guessing here, but I imagine that the radio is not included. Logistically, the box wants to go where the cables go, in the wiring closet or near the floor, while the AP wants to be mounted up high. I am using a 3-Enet ALIX box down in my office where the Internet comes in from Verizon, and it acts as firewall, VPN server, DNS server, and all sorts of other functions for my business. The PTP access point is up a floor and 40 feet away, and connects to the DMZ port on the ALIX. I imagine many PTP venues will have similar constraints. Still, it would be almost no trouble to provision the standard PTP ALIX load to use a miniPCI radio if one is plugged in. The ALIX board and some versions of the case make a radio easy to add, and for those nodes that logistically permit it, that is a nice way to go. One standard firmware load, many possible configurations, remotely managable. Since the ALIX box can do so much more than just run nodogsplash, perhaps a "premium" version of the box can be SOLD to node owners to manage a lot of network-related functions as I mention above. Managing the extra functions might make a tasty little side business for some underemployed PTP members. The ALIX is a LOT more powerful than a NuCab, and I would like to see these widely deployed for the service opportunities they create. In the long run, service customers who use ALIX boxes for business reasons only might be easily convinced to host PTP nodes if all they have to do is plug some cheap AP hardware into their unused DMZ port. While I hope to kick in some bucks to help with this deployment, if PTP structures the deal properly it will actually create revenue and lots of new opportunities. The age of small, low cost, low power, remotely configurable computers is beginning, and PTP will be an important part of that. What a great way to invest in my community! Keith -- Keith Lofstrom [EMAIL PROTECTED] Voice (503)-520-1993 KLIC --- Keith Lofstrom Integrated Circuits --- "Your Ideas in Silicon" Design Contracting in Bipolar and CMOS - Analog, Digital, and Scan ICs --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ The Personal Telco Project - http://www.personaltelco.net/ Donate to PTP: http://www.personaltelco.net/donate Archives: http://news.gmane.org/gmane.network.wireless.portland.general/ Etiquette: http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/MailingListEtiquette List information: http://lists.personaltelco.net To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
