You build a system with multiple layers. Very high end backhaul (ptp wireless, fiber etc.). Then higher end gear like redline for a middle mile system. Lastly, you use good ap's (MT or StarOS) for distribution.
I'd use a radius authentication mechanism for this. You can then use any off the shelf isp management system to authenticate users. If you use MT units for your distribution you'll easily be able to handle CALEA requests etc. We'd also need to know a bit about the geography of the area. One of the hardest things to do will be to create distribution points that have acceptable coverage but don't interfere with each other. One more thing. Are they planning to cover inside of every structure in the coverage zones? If so, run. Run like hell. So far I know of NO successful deployments like this. It just won't work with today's technology limitations. You might also want to conceder hiring some consulting help with this. Several of us here have tried to help people pull off projects like this in the past. Most people make the same mistakes over and over again. If anyone can make this work, a few here can. Most "professional" consultants won't stand a chance. And working with the likes of Cisco, Lucent etc. pretty well guarantees failure. laters, marlon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rogelio" <scubac...@gmail.com> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 2:32 AM Subject: [WISPA] planning 802.11 Wi-Fi for extremely dense areas > Within the last few weeks, I have gotten several inquiries about setting > up 802.11 wireless access services for thousands (1000-5000) of people > in a conference sort of area (assuming 100% subscription rate, which I > think is sort of unreasonable, but that's another story), and I have > told them that based on what I know, the 802.11 protocol breaks at those > numbers. > > Is there any 802.11-based solution that can handle this density? The > only way I have seen people get around it (like at the Superbowl press > areas with tons and tons of people) is to try to offload a significant > number of users on Ruckus devices using cat5. > > Does anyone have any suggestions here? In these situations, I would > just probably put in a ton of smaller access points and then turn the > power WAY down and then plan some sort of non-overlapping channel plan > with 802.11a and 802.11b/g. I have heard of other solutions (e.g. > Proxim) having soft limits on numbers of associations one each AP so > that they can, at least, guarantee good coverage with the few who are > able to associate to that access point. > > Anyone have any other ways around this? Based on what I know, access > points (fat or thin, regardless of the model) crap out at around... > > --about 250 MAC associations > --about 50 client associations > --about 25 hardcore user sessions > > Any and all advice on the topic is welcome (even if it is to just tell > me I'm stupid for even considering talking to these customers!) > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
