Simon is quite correct. Any AP that attempts to present multiple SSIDs without each SSID having a unique BSSID is VERY likely to not be compatible with the majority of client cards that are out there.
One thing that Simon is not quite correct about is that you have to wait for next year to get "true, multi BSSID access points". These have been available from Airespace since early April of this year and have been deployed in several public access locations. -Bob -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Simon Barber Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 3:29 PM To: 'Matt Peterson'; 'Brian Barrera' Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: ZyXEL B-3000 (was Re: [BAWUG] inter-VLAN (single STA to AP traffic only) Be aware that there are big incompatibilities in most vendor's Multi-SSID features. This is due to their use of a single BSSID - and hence only a single WEP bit setting is possible. As long as you use Cisco clients, Cisco's multi SSIDs will work fine - but try and use non cisco cards, and dependent on the card and driver you have you are likely to be unlucky. This is not a viable proposition for anyone selling hotspot service to Joe Public. In addition if a single BSSID is used then only 1 SSID can be advertised to clients - ie people will only see 1 network in their list of available networks. You need to look for a specific Multi-BSSID feature - this is the only way to offer multiple SSIDs without any incompatibilities. With multi BSSID an client cannot tell that the different SSIDs are not infact multiple, completely separate, co-located APs. Look out for true, multi BSSID access points hitting the market early next year. Simon -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Matt Peterson Sent: Friday, December 19, 2003 2:36 PM To: Brian Barrera Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: ZyXEL B-3000 (was Re: [BAWUG] inter-VLAN (single STA to AP traffic only) On Fri, Dec 19, 2003 at 11:29:45AM -0800, Brian Barrera wrote: > > I've used Zyxel Zyair B-3000 as an AP and the feature works well. > There are several other nice features like POE, transmit power > control, multi-ESSID and VLAN support, scan for open channel, WDS, > local user database for EAP-MD5, and ability to limit # of associating > stations. The b-3000 uses ZyDAS radio (ZyDAS is fabless semi spinout > of Zyxel). Indeed, I actually met up with a few of the ZyXEL folks @ WiFi Planet a few weeks. I'm planning a review of the B-3000 vs. Cisco 1200 in the coming weeks (still trying to get my hands on a Cisco unit). hehe, indeed.. it also looks they're using a "Waveplus" chip too <http://www.waveplus.com/>. > With multi-ESSID you can configure 8 ESSIDs, and each can be VLAN > tagged to work with a VLAN switch. Each ESSID has independent VLAN tag > and WEP keys. Very nice, this will AP will finally make the 'vendor neutral' concept of WiFi networks (Airports, Shopping Malls, etc) more viable. > Of course standard features like MAC filtering, 802.1x/RADIUS, roaming > and removable antennas are also supported. The WDS bridging works with > b-420 or another b-3000. Haven't tried it with any other WDS gear. I'm told a WPA & SSH f/w will be available in early '04. My only major concern is a 32 STA limitation. It's also a bummer the product is only 11b. -- Matt Peterson -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
