Hi Folks, Just a follow up to my original question about Wireless Hubs and the solution I found (if any one is interested).
In the end I got the Linksys WAP11 Access point which plugs straight in to a hub or switch (or eth adapter) via rj45 plugs. Configuration is dead easy using a windows machine and a USB port (took about two minutes). The USB can be disconnected after initial set up and any tweaking can be done via SNMP (Win Client included). I am told there is a Linux client available from the Linksys FTP site but I could not find it! Total setup was less than 10 mintutes from unpacking to the first 'Ping'. Even the WEP encyption was a doodle to set up, set a pass phrase on each side and that was that. The unit claims to be fully 802.11b complient. The WAP11 can support up to 32 wireless clients (according to the bumf). It cost �130 from SCS Datacom (Gt Yarmouth) who managed to answer all the questions regarding operation with Linux that Linksys themselves could not. There seems to be a huge variation in prices, my local supplier wanted over �200 for the same unit ex VAT! On the client side I got the matching WPC11 Wiresless PCMCIA card, Linksys Tech Support claim that this will work with Linux (using the ne module?) and that they will be deploying 'custom' drivers soon. They do seem to have good Linux support for their wired ethernet devices but not yet for wireless, maybe this will come? It works very well indeed, our house is an old 50's poored concrete with a lot of steel in the walls. with a bit of playing with posistions the full 11mbps is obtainable all over the house and in the garden. The antenna's on the WAP are detachable (TNC pluigs) so an external antenna to increase range should be easy to arrange. Thanks again for all the advice you folks gave to my opriginal questions. I just thought I'd feedback to the list in case it is useful for anyone else. the biggest lesson i have learnt from this is to pester the manufactures and suppliers for 'Linux answers' and to find a supplier willing to go the extra mile in answering these questions - that was the hard part! Thanks again, Best Wishes Mike > Does anyone know where I can get a wireless access point that will plug > into an existing wired 10/100BaseT Hub using Rj45? I have tried 3com, > Belkin and Intel but they all seem to be USB and made for Windows. > > Also, does anyone have any knowledge of why these devices need to be driven > with Windows Software, when I mention Linux to vendors they seem confussed > and I do not have enough knowledge to help them! > > Any Help appreciated > > > Cheers -------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.lug.org.uk http://www.linuxportal.co.uk http://www.linuxjob.co.uk http://www.linuxshop.co.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------
