Hello Michael,
Thanks for the support and information about how you are using RouterOS.
If you are not already doing this, then a suggestion for your traffic shaping would be to use our PCQ feature to add a queue rule for all client connections that would shape big users if the lower speed users get starved for throughput -- these rules are dynamically created when using PCQ, so when a new user logs in, a rule is made for him. I think the complimentary hotspots need to have this so that all users can have a good experience -- that could be ruined if one user starts hogging all the bandwidth.
To summarize what I have found in testing the eight port mpci to pci adapter:
When using multiple Atheros cards in the 5GHz band with 20MHz of chanel separation for AP interfaces, there is no significant "RF leakage" that effects potential throughput of the interfaces. So, if you believe in putting multiple radios/APs on a site, then this is a solution to consolidate all the radios in one box.
Having sold thousands of the four port mpci to pci (many customers are repeat customers), I didn't have a doubt that this worked ok. But, it is always good to do more test on similar new devices -- just in case. Because of volume manufacturing, the four port cards have been reduced in price to $65 (list price from US resellers) -- my opinion is that it is a good deal.
John www.routerboard.com www.mikrotik.com
John, Jim and Jack, I appreciate the time and effort you're all putting into this discussion. I'm sure I'm just one of many who are following it with *great* interest.
John, if you can put together a paper showing the test results, it would make fascinating reading. And if you can further try the real-world simulation that Jim suggests where some of the associated radios (e.g. your laptop) are at the edge of the range of the radio while running the test (rather than in the same room), that will demonstate your point that this is a feasible implementation. I suspect either Jim or Jack would be happy to critique your setup so it can clearly demonstrate the real-world results to their satisfaction and I hope you'll solicit or at least consider their input.
Knowing the bounds of what does and doesn't work would be a great service to your customers, as well as the larger group of would-be customers and other wireless users out here.
Btw, John, while I have your attention, many thanks for making RouterOS possible. It is the heart of our community network at www.socalfreenet.org/goldenhill where we use it as the captive portal, NAT gateway and P2P shaping box. For the most part it has been a rock solid, feature-rich and easy-to-work-with solution. And your continued efforts to improve it with regular updates have helped tremendously. Thanks.
cheers, michael www.socalfreenet.org
