----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 3:36
PM
Subject: RE: [smartBridges] Questions
on SmartBridge Products
I was new at this not too long ago, so here is my
advice...
Don't get me wrong, Dennis - if you have the patience, go ahead and
offer service to anyone who will provide you with positive net income. I
am just saying that I prefer to go after bigger fish. This has it's risks,
too (bigger customers mean if one goes away, it is a bigger
hit).
As for your specific needs, you have to do some serious reading, my
friend. It takes a lot of research, and you would be well served to read
the archives from this list and the WISP list
(everything).
Let's point you in the right direction...
1. You can get bandwidth limiting hardware/software. There are
people (some on this list) who can SELL you a solution. Otherwise, do some
serious research and build it yourself, but don't expect anyone to set up
your system for free. There are hundreds of messages about this subject on
the WISP list - read the archives.
2. I think you are talking about using the airPoint Total as you
access point. If you want to do 360 degrees with a single radio, you will
need an airPoint Pro Outdoor with an external omnidirectional antenna.
This will limit the distance to something shorter than you can reach
with other antenna types and may exclude potential customers (like those
close to the tower base). You might choose three airPoint Pro Outdoor
radios, each with an external 120 degree sector antenna. There are many
other options, like sectorized omnis, splitters, and yes, even 12 aP
Totals. Each option has plusses and minuses. Read the archives, and do
your research.
3. Don't expect to get everything from the sB website itself (which
is a marketing tool, as it should be). You can, however, download the user
guides and application notes for every product they sell. Read everything
- twice. Repeat.
4. I assume your bridge to your NOC is something other than sB, and
probably 5.8. If not, you have to watch out for potential interference
issues.
5. A POE Switch/Hub?? Each sB outdoor product comes with a POE
adapter called the PowerShot. Again - website, manual, read,
repeat.
6. Weatherpoof box? Depends on your specific application. If you
read the archives, you will find links to pictures of installs - very
helpful.
7. You can go from tower to tower from NY to LA if you want to. How
to do it is another question, and will depend on each individual
situation.
Don't get discouraged, but this stuff ain't easy. Pore over
manuals, white papers, and archives. Look at application diagrams. Check
out the competitor's gear (good reference to know what is possible out
there - sometimes you have to mix technologies to get the job
done).
Jason
Jason,
Thanks for the help. You have
answered alot of questions for me. As far as the Bandwidth per
user, does anyone have any suggestions on how to limit this. I'm
sure that most people are setting up T1s and letting 30-50 users run off
of that T1. What about if you are running a T3 and bouncing the
signal across three towers? Are there no bandwidth constraints that
users have?
I understand how not to deal with customers
that can't pay for the equipment. That does make sences to
me.
I know everyone tells me to get to there
website, but unfortunlly it does not tell you a great deal on the
technology itself and capabilities of the system. Maybe this is
cause of there new enhanced website. Nor does it tell how
these units to be setup.
I have a tower up, with one access
point. This point is also running bridge to recive signal from my
main network and recive whatever bandwidth that I need. I want to
cover a full 360 from this tower, from the specs I see its only 28
degress. Does this mean to cover 360 I need 12 units to cover a
full 360 radius?
Also, how
are you connecting APs. I have found some people are using a POE
Switch/Hub? What about weather, I assuming that everyone is
putting a weatherproof encloser on the tower somewhere with the
switch?
Just a FYI, I was planning on feeding several more towers wwith AP
to AP functionality. This is possable correct?
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003
2:27 PM
Subject: RE: [smartBridges]
Questions on SmartBridge Products
Do the AirPoints have a bandwidth
limitation setting per user.. I.E. I want each user to have 256 or
512k bandwidth only.
No.
Radius authencation, is there one built
in, i.e. do I have to use my own radius server?
Yes,
your own.
What kind of range can I get out of a
AirPoint Total? The prices I am getting is around $380 per
unit, is this correct?
20 miles
+ (did you read the specs and sB website?). Where are you getting
them for $380, and what qty?
What about installations on customer
homes? I can find the AirBridge Totals for a little under
$300. What else is everyone using to install these?
I
generally use a crescent wrench, drill, and some other tools
depending on the install. Electrical tape, suntan lotion, and
Gatorade also come in handy.
What kind of warrenties are with these
products?
If I wanted to get a 360 radius from my
tower of 150 foot, how many access points would I need?
Need: 1,
Want: ?, need more info
What kind of site survey equipment is
best and simplest to use?
Depends
on personal preference. I like to bring along my portable custom
built rig.
Anyone want to share what they are
doing to help offset customer costs of equipment?
Nothing.
I don't deal with people who can't pay for the install and equip
costs - these are the same folks who want 1.5Mbps for $20/month.
Although, I do eat the cost of electrical tape, suntan
lotion, and other supplies.
Thanx in advance,
Your
welcome.
