Comments on: Apartment Complex — Unwired http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/ Nerds are for Dorks Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:14:48 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Mark http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-50142 Mark Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:26:09 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-50142 I am a landlord and we just implement a ultr low cost wi-fi system in our 54 unit apartment complex. We have had so much success with it that we are now selling it to other owners in the Albuquerque area. We have now added FREE Wi-Fi to our new Queens Point Apartment curbside sign. Please take a look @ http://www.apropertysolution.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=45 I am a landlord and we just implement a ultr low cost wi-fi system in our 54 unit apartment complex. We have had so much success with it that we are now selling it to other owners in the Albuquerque area. We have now added FREE Wi-Fi to our new Queens Point Apartment curbside sign.
Please take a look @ http://www.apropertysolution.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=45

]]> By: Bill http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1577 Bill Thu, 26 Oct 2006 23:09:49 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1577 Any ideas as to what I could use on a 6 story apartment complex? The entire building is concrete wallls, floors and cielinns. WE have metal studs in the walls. I was thinking of placing an antenna on the main floor then some type of repeater on the the 4th floor to cover floors 4,5 and 6. Any suggestions? Any ideas as to what I could use on a 6 story apartment complex? The entire building is concrete wallls, floors and cielinns. WE have metal studs in the walls.

I was thinking of placing an antenna on the main floor then some type of repeater on the the 4th floor to cover floors 4,5 and 6.

Any suggestions?

]]> By: skip gundlach http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1576 skip gundlach Sun, 02 Jul 2006 18:20:00 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1576 This is a very long comment, really deserving of a separate post. However, the original poster did exactly what I'm trying to do with one exception: the Bridge unit is connected directly to the Comcast feed, making selection from among available remote APs (rather than a known or direct feed such as the comcast) unnecessary. Below is a statement of my situation. Salient points to the apartment installation are IP conflicts, as well as surfing/communicating abilities which I have not been able to achieve. As geeks, those with direct experience in this sort of thing are entreated to please mail me direct at skipgundlach at gmail dot com as to how to resolve my challenges before giving up and crushing the units in frustration. TIA Good day... Over a year ago, I was sold two 2611CB3 Plus MD units, neither of which individually appear to work properly nor in the configuration they were sold to me. Both of these have been flashed with the current firmware. Both, when returned to factory default by power-cycling button resets, will successfully communicate over ethernet for configuration, except when placed in DHCP mode, of course, which makes addressing them via web interface impossible. (Or, at least, that's the response I get. *IS* it possible to address and configure these units if they have been set to DHCP?) There are two separate issues, as seen below. I have about worn out the CD and owner's manual trying every possible configuration to make this work. Perhaps you'll be able to better shed light on these problems than the vendor, who has refused to support them or accept them for return. Likewise, all the internet user groups in which I've posed this problem have failed to successfully address these issues. I'm hopeful you'll have the answers. The application for which these were sold is to install in a weatherproof enclosure at the top of a sailboat mast, powered directly by 12V, but otherwise inaccessible, so doing a button reset to factory default is out of the question. The stated objective was to allow a wifi device (such as my laptop) to be able to communicate with a shoreside AP in essentially the same fashion as if my laptop were within the included wifi antena range of that same AP. At the same time, it was specified that I wanted to be able to select from available APs in the event there were more than one, as the strongest might not be the one with which I wanted to associate. The preferred method of selection was the Windows Zero Configuration tool or another configuration tool provided by an antenna vendor. It's apparent the vendor did not verify those parameters as to performance of these units before selling me them, and/or neither he nor I have been able to discover how it is supposed to be configured in order to allow that specification to succeed. With that as background, here are the two issues: Regardless of the settings used, whether static or dhcp, multipoint or point-point, channel designations, "any" or specified SSID, and IP and subnet families used, when the two units are connected, one as Bridge and the other as AP, IP error messages occur, the Windows XP device manager shows errors on the devices seen, and they don't perform. The vendor asserts that there are IP conflicts because of my machine, and that I must engage a Microsoft Certified Network Analyst to resolve the conflicts in my machine. However, every machine in which this has been attempted responds in the same fashion, so I do not believe the fault lies with my machine. Either that is not the problem, or these units cannot be used with standard computers, out of the box. Many failed attempts at resolution were done by telephone conference, following exactly the instructions of the vendor. After those failures, he asked me to send them back (not for refund, but for verification). As configured by the vendor, he says he set the bridge unit to 192.168.1.100, "any" SSID, using the ethernet web interface, and successfully surfed. He then indicates he connected the Access Point unit (which he named "flying pig") to the bridge IP (method of connection not specified, but assumed to be crossover ethernet cable). He asserts that these connect to the internet and surf. He asserts that he set his computer's wifi configuration utility to connect to "flying pig" (the 2611 configured as access point) and successfully surfed. Of course, the strongest signal was from his router on his desk, so - assuming he actually succeeded in that - the AP it was associating was suitable to him. However, when he returned the units to me in that configuration, I could not communicate with the units, nor specify any AP with which to associate. Without that ability, they are useless to me. So, the first issue is that these relentlessly provide IP conflict messages. Associated with that is - assuming the IP conflict can be resolved - the inability to select from available APs or configure the Bridge to associate with a specific AP once connected to the other 2611 unit, over a wireless connection. Can these issues be resolved? The second issue is that, given the above failures, I attempted to make the units perform as wired bridges. That is, giving up the ability to connect via the wifi card in my computer, one at a time, I connected the unit via ethernet. In a testing mode, where the unit is on the bench, of course, I can do a pushbutton reset to factory default. However, in their intended installation (inside a sealed box, in an inaccessible location), that will be impossible. So, they have to work reliably before that installation. I left the IP and subnet settings in the factory default, and set my ethernet card to the same IP and subnet families. I used a high gain antenna to see the various APs available in the test neighborhood. I am currently successfully associated with a variety of APs over a USB antenna, and can see a multiple of APs available, so have those as benchmarks for these tests. This message is being sent via one of those connections, so we have a known good AP, communications link and ability to surf, mail, ping, tracert, VoIP and other internet functions from this location. With this as a basis, I attempted to make these units work as ethernet-connected bridges. Setting the unit to the bridge mode, I continued, trying every possible variety of setting. Regardless of what ever other connection parameters were used, in one unit, no APs were seen in scans. In the other, irregular results were seen. Sometimes, the expected APs were seen, in others, none. When attempting to associate with APs when they *were* seen, the "any" setting on the SSID block reliably, in many attempts, yielded association with an AP that did not have the strongest signal. (Each time it associated with the same AP which was not the strongest signal.) When specifying the SSID, it usually would associate with the correct AP. However, in no case, whether left in the specified IP mode or when returning the NIC to dhcp, would the unit surf, mail or otherwise pass data. Nor would attempting to renew the connection (ipconfig /release, ipconfig /renew) succeed - the release succeeded (or returned a message that it was already released) but the renew would hang up and fail, whether done through command line interface or the "repair" function of Windows XP. Also, when these units are placed in DHCP (vs static address) mode, no communication is possible for configuration, whether I set my NIC to a specified IP or DHCP. Reset via button to factory default is the only way I've found to restore configuration communication to the unit. Am I missing something in the instructions? So, back to the basic problem, if I cannot pass data to the internet, the unit(s) do not even work in a wired mode. Is there something I'm missing here? Thanks for any assistance you may be able to provide in these issues. They have been a terrible frustration for me for over a year, and via the various forums in which I've posed the problem, now, a vexation for many others as well. L8R Skip Morgan 461 #2 SV Flying Pig KI4MPC http://tinyurl.com/p7rb4 - NOTE:new URL! The vessel as Tehamana, as we bought her "Believe me, my young friend, there is *nothing*-absolutely nothing-half so much worth doing as simply messing, messing-about-in-boats; messing about in boats-or *with* boats. In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not." This is a very long comment, really deserving of a separate post. However, the original poster did exactly what I’m trying to do with one exception: the Bridge unit is connected directly to the Comcast feed, making selection from among available remote APs (rather than a known or direct feed such as the comcast) unnecessary.

Below is a statement of my situation. Salient points to the apartment installation are IP conflicts, as well as surfing/communicating abilities which I have not been able to achieve.

As geeks, those with direct experience in this sort of thing are entreated to please mail me direct at skipgundlach at gmail dot com as to how to resolve my challenges before giving up and crushing the units in frustration. TIA

Good day…

Over a year ago, I was sold two 2611CB3 Plus MD units, neither of which
individually appear to work properly nor in the configuration they were sold
to me. Both of these have been flashed with the current firmware. Both,
when returned to factory default by power-cycling button resets, will
successfully communicate over ethernet for configuration, except when placed
in DHCP mode, of course, which makes addressing them via web interface
impossible. (Or, at least, that’s the response I get. *IS* it possible to
address and configure these units if they have been set to DHCP?)

There are two separate issues, as seen below. I have about worn out the CD
and owner’s manual trying every possible configuration to make this work.
Perhaps you’ll be able to better shed light on these problems than the
vendor, who has refused to support them or accept them for return.
Likewise, all the internet user groups in which I’ve posed this problem have
failed to successfully address these issues. I’m hopeful you’ll have the
answers.

The application for which these were sold is to install in a weatherproof
enclosure at the top of a sailboat mast, powered directly by 12V, but
otherwise inaccessible, so doing a button reset to factory default is out of
the question. The stated objective was to allow a wifi device (such as my
laptop)
to be able to communicate with a shoreside AP in essentially the same
fashion as if my laptop were within the included wifi antena range of that
same AP. At the same time, it was specified that I wanted to be able to
select from available APs in the event there were more than one, as the
strongest might not be the one with which I wanted to associate. The
preferred method of selection was the Windows Zero Configuration tool or
another configuration tool provided by an antenna vendor. It’s apparent the
vendor did not verify those parameters as to performance of these units
before selling me them, and/or neither he nor I have been able to discover
how it is supposed to be configured in order to allow that specification to
succeed.

With that as background, here are the two issues:

Regardless of the settings used, whether static or dhcp, multipoint or
point-point, channel designations, “any” or specified SSID, and IP and
subnet families used, when the two units are connected, one as Bridge and
the other as AP, IP error messages occur, the Windows XP device manager
shows errors on the devices seen, and they don’t perform.

The vendor asserts that there are IP conflicts because of my machine, and
that I must engage a Microsoft Certified Network Analyst to resolve the
conflicts in my machine. However, every machine in which this has been
attempted responds in the same fashion, so I do not believe the fault lies
with my machine. Either that is not the problem, or these units cannot be
used with standard computers, out of the box.

Many failed attempts at resolution were done by telephone conference,
following exactly the instructions of the vendor. After those failures, he
asked me to send them back (not for refund, but for verification).

As configured by the vendor, he says he set the bridge unit to
192.168.1.100, “any” SSID, using the ethernet web interface, and
successfully surfed. He then indicates he connected the Access Point unit
(which he named “flying pig”) to the bridge IP (method of connection not
specified, but assumed to be crossover ethernet cable). He asserts that
these connect to the internet and surf. He asserts that he set his
computer’s wifi configuration utility to connect to “flying pig” (the 2611
configured as access point) and successfully surfed. Of course, the
strongest signal was from his router on his desk, so – assuming he actually
succeeded in that – the AP it was associating was suitable to him. However,
when he returned the units to me in that configuration, I could not
communicate with the units, nor specify any AP with which to associate.
Without that ability, they are useless to me.

So, the first issue is that these relentlessly provide IP conflict messages.
Associated with that is – assuming the IP conflict can be resolved – the
inability to select from available APs or configure the Bridge to associate
with a specific AP once connected to the other 2611 unit, over a wireless
connection. Can these issues be resolved?

The second issue is that, given the above failures, I attempted to make the
units perform as wired bridges. That is, giving up the ability to connect
via the wifi card in my computer, one at a time, I connected the unit via
ethernet. In a testing mode, where the unit is on the bench, of course, I
can do a pushbutton reset to factory default. However, in their intended
installation (inside a sealed box, in an inaccessible location), that will
be impossible. So, they have to work reliably before that installation. I
left the IP and subnet settings in the factory default, and set my ethernet
card to the same IP and subnet families. I used a high gain antenna to see
the various APs available in the test neighborhood. I am currently
successfully associated with a variety of APs over a USB antenna, and can
see a multiple of APs available, so have those as benchmarks for these
tests. This message is being sent via one of those connections, so we have
a known good AP, communications link and ability to
surf, mail, ping, tracert, VoIP and other internet functions from this
location. With this as a basis, I attempted to make these units work as
ethernet-connected bridges.

Setting the unit to the bridge mode, I continued, trying every possible
variety of setting. Regardless of what ever other connection parameters
were used, in one unit, no APs were seen in scans. In the other, irregular
results were seen. Sometimes, the expected APs were seen, in others, none.
When attempting to associate with APs when they *were* seen, the “any”
setting on the SSID block reliably, in many attempts, yielded association
with an AP that did not have the strongest signal. (Each time it associated
with the same AP which was not the strongest signal.) When specifying the
SSID, it usually would associate with the correct AP.

However, in no case, whether left in the specified IP mode or when returning
the NIC to dhcp, would the unit surf, mail or otherwise pass data. Nor
would attempting to renew the connection (ipconfig /release, ipconfig
/renew) succeed – the release succeeded (or returned a message that it was
already released) but the renew would hang up and fail, whether done through
command line interface or the “repair” function of Windows XP.

Also, when these units are placed in DHCP (vs static address) mode, no
communication is possible for configuration, whether I set my NIC to a
specified IP or DHCP. Reset via button to factory default is the only way
I’ve found to restore configuration communication to the unit. Am I missing
something in the instructions?

So, back to the basic problem, if I cannot pass data to the internet, the
unit(s) do not even work in a wired mode. Is there something I’m missing
here?

Thanks for any assistance you may be able to provide in these issues. They
have been a terrible frustration for me for over a year, and via the various
forums in which I’ve posed the problem, now, a vexation for many others as
well.

L8R

Skip

Morgan 461 #2
SV Flying Pig KI4MPC
http://tinyurl.com/p7rb4 – NOTE:new URL! The vessel as Tehamana, as we
bought her

“Believe me, my young friend, there is *nothing*-absolutely nothing-half so
much worth doing as simply messing, messing-about-in-boats; messing about in
boats-or *with* boats.
In or out of ‘em, it doesn’t matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that’s
the charm of it.
Whether you get away, or whether you don’t; whether you arrive at your
destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get
anywhere at all, you’re always busy, and you never do anything in
particular; and when you’ve done it there’s always something else to do, and
you can do it if you like, but you’d much better not.”

]]> By: Trent http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 Trent Mon, 27 Mar 2006 05:41:24 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1572 This is groovy... How much does it all cost to put together? What's the directional range of those access points and the wireless cards for the laptops? Can the accesspoints and cards run in ad-hoc mode? This is groovy… How much does it all cost to put together? What’s the directional range of those access points and the wireless cards for the laptops? Can the accesspoints and cards run in ad-hoc mode?

]]> By: chris http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1571 chris Mon, 20 Mar 2006 21:16:46 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1571 Check out these guys, they do wireless internet access solutions for hotels and apartment complexes, good value for money and makes access management very simple. http://www.flexsys-group.com/broadband-internet-hotel-hotspots/griffin-internet.php Check out these guys, they do wireless internet access solutions for hotels and apartment complexes, good value for money and makes access management very simple.

http://www.flexsys-group.com/broadband-internet-hotel-hotspots/griffin-internet.php

]]> By: Skylinux http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1570 Skylinux Thu, 02 Mar 2006 15:04:33 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1570 I just found your website because I have been asked to provide a quote to cover a large apartment building with multiple floors. My main challenge will be to cover the building from top to bottom. I have though about using the new Linksys SRX Wireless devices, I tested one yesterday and the coverage is AMAZING. I might install one (SRX400) at ground level and a bridge on the roof to pickup the signal, bring it back into the building and have a second unit (SRX400) mounted inside the building but below the roof. I will post a project link once I get the OK from my customer. I just found your website because I have been asked to provide a quote to cover a large apartment building with multiple floors. My main challenge will be to cover the building from top to bottom. I have though about using the new Linksys SRX Wireless devices, I tested one yesterday and the coverage is AMAZING. I might install one (SRX400) at ground level and a bridge on the roof to pickup the signal, bring it back into the building and have a second unit (SRX400) mounted inside the building but below the roof.

I will post a project link once I get the OK from my customer.

]]> By: Jackhammer http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1569 Jackhammer Fri, 21 Oct 2005 16:09:09 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1569 No port Isolation...hummmmmmmm? Not very cool to not authenticate users. What happens in the event a terrorist decides to use your open network to send info to the other side? Why can jane see my files? This requires much more thought. No port Isolation…hummmmmmmm? Not very cool to not authenticate users. What happens in the event a terrorist decides to use your open network to send info to the other side? Why can jane see my files? This requires much more thought.

]]> By: camel toe http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1568 camel toe Fri, 12 Aug 2005 15:23:59 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1568 Salutations Salutations

]]> By: Jen http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1566 Jen Mon, 27 Jun 2005 05:03:15 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1566 You know, that's what I was thinking. Don't they go after IP addresses in those kinds of stings? I'm going to be small potatoes landlord, just buying a duplex so I can afford to live in the good school districts in the city. Once I can afford the note I'm convertin the suckah back to a regular home (most are old homes made into duplexes). But the last thing I want is to lose the place because Big Brother decided to take me down with the perv who rented my place. Thanks, Jen You know, that’s what I was thinking. Don’t they go after IP addresses in those kinds of stings?

I’m going to be small potatoes landlord, just buying a duplex so I can afford to live in the good school districts in the city. Once I can afford the note I’m convertin the suckah back to a regular home (most are old homes made into duplexes). But the last thing I want is to lose the place because Big Brother decided to take me down with the perv who rented my place.

Thanks,

Jen

]]> By: JC http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1565 JC Mon, 27 Jun 2005 04:51:52 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1565 I left that up to him, Jen... he used to run an ISP, he knows about that stuff. My understanding of it was that the provider is not responsible for what the user accesses, so nothing extra is required. I left that up to him, Jen… he used to run an ISP, he knows about that stuff. My understanding of it was that the provider is not responsible for what the user accesses, so nothing extra is required.

]]> By: JC http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1563 JC Sun, 26 Jun 2005 22:57:57 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1563 Earlno - that's several orders of magnitude larger than what I did, but it should scale. You may want to have repeaters in there somewhere. I don't know. Jen - Talk to a lawyer, not a geek. James - No. The antenna hooks up to the router directly. We do have one computer hooked up to the router via cable rather than wireless, because they're in the same room,a nd because it lets us access the router even if everything else isnt working properly Earlno – that’s several orders of magnitude larger than what I did, but it should scale. You may want to have repeaters in there somewhere. I don’t know.

Jen -
Talk to a lawyer, not a geek.

James – No. The antenna hooks up to the router directly. We do have one computer hooked up to the router via cable rather than wireless, because they’re in the same room,a nd because it lets us access the router even if everything else isnt working properly

]]> By: James http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1562 James Sun, 26 Jun 2005 18:26:56 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1562 JC All of the postings here and the original article are very good and very positive. I enjoyed reading every posting. However I do have one question regarding the orginal setup you used. Is there any kind of computer between the incoming ISP service and the access point or router? JC
All of the postings here and the original article are very good and very positive. I enjoyed reading every posting. However I do have one question regarding the orginal setup you used. Is there any kind of computer between the incoming ISP service and the access point or router?

]]> By: earlneo http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1560 earlneo Thu, 26 May 2005 07:51:01 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1560 nice articles. anyways, i have a question. currently i just moved in to a new 15th floors 3 blocks apartments. i plan to cover all 3 blocks with wifi. any suggestion how to do it in correct way? nice articles. anyways, i have a question. currently i just moved in to a new 15th floors 3 blocks apartments. i plan to cover all 3 blocks with wifi. any suggestion how to do it in correct way?

]]> By: Riaz http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1559 Riaz Tue, 19 Apr 2005 03:19:15 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1559 Indeed, the article was really information. I was lucky to find it since my apartment complex manager asked me to implement wireless internet in out 30 unit 180 feet long apartment complex. I was wondering if any1 can summerize what equipment do I need and steps towards installing and running the network successfully Thanks Indeed, the article was really information. I was lucky to find it since my apartment complex manager asked me to implement wireless internet in out 30 unit 180 feet long apartment complex. I was wondering if any1 can summerize what equipment do I need and steps towards installing and running the network successfully

Thanks

]]> By: jose http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1558 jose Sat, 08 Jan 2005 15:40:54 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1558 I'm setting up the same thing but i'm stumped about the type of cable to use between the linksys wrt54g and the omni antenna. should i use rg59, rg6, or some other type? I’m setting up the same thing but i’m stumped about the type of cable to use between the linksys wrt54g and the omni antenna.

should i use rg59, rg6, or some other type?

]]> By: Jeff Pound http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1557 Jeff Pound Sun, 21 Nov 2004 04:14:46 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1557 Hey JC, I own a PC repair business and just had this exact idea a few months ago. I am glad to see that my thoughts have been put into play somewhere. So, it's really as easy as getting an AP and adding some repeaters as necessary? Do you think the same logic could apply to making an entire wireless housing development? Hey JC, I own a PC repair business and just had this exact idea a few months ago. I am glad to see that my thoughts have been put into play somewhere. So, it’s really as easy as getting an AP and adding some repeaters as necessary? Do you think the same logic could apply to making an entire wireless housing development?

]]> By: Jon Huron http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1556 Jon Huron Thu, 04 Nov 2004 06:43:06 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1556 Greetings Greetings

]]> By: Peter Yorke http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1555 Peter Yorke Wed, 07 Jul 2004 18:32:05 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1555 Peter from Seattle Wireless TV, we think this would make an interesting segment for the show. Contact us, see if we can work something out. Peter from Seattle Wireless TV, we think this would make an interesting segment for the show.

Contact us, see if we can work something out.

]]> By: Newmind Group, Inc. http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1554 Newmind Group, Inc. Fri, 25 Jun 2004 18:40:38 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1554 Good work. My company actually offers similar systems to apartment complex owners who don't have an enterprising tenant like you. We feel that it is a great value added service for Multi-Tenant Offices and Multi-Dwelling Units. We are located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. <a href="http://www.newmindgroup.com/" rel="nofollow">Newmind Group</a> Good work. My company actually offers similar systems to apartment complex owners who don’t have an enterprising tenant like you. We feel that it is a great value added service for Multi-Tenant Offices and Multi-Dwelling Units. We are located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Newmind Group

]]> By: JC http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1553 JC Sun, 13 Jun 2004 20:05:37 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1553 Just have to figure what your peak load will be, and how fast you want it to be under peak load. Figuring the peak load is the hard part, of course. The absolute peak load for my complex, if I want the minimum speed at 128 down per unit, is 6. But not everyone has computers, not everyone would be using them at the same time, and web surfing and email generate infrequent small requests, so you have lots of leeway if you don't have lots of people doing streaming video, big downloads, etc. There's probably a formula out there somewhere, but I don't know what it is. :-) If you can get business broadband that isn't a T-1, it's probably a more economical choice... you probably don't need the extra upstream bandwidth a T line provides unless you're running webservers, too. Several folks have recommended speakeasy, might want to check and see if they have any offerings in your area. Just have to figure what your peak load will be, and how fast you want it to be under peak load. Figuring the peak load is the hard part, of course. The absolute peak load for my complex, if I want the minimum speed at 128 down per unit, is 6. But not everyone has computers, not everyone would be using them at the same time, and web surfing and email generate infrequent small requests, so you have lots of leeway if you don’t have lots of people doing streaming video, big downloads, etc. There’s probably a formula out there somewhere, but I don’t know what it is. :-) If you can get business broadband that isn’t a T-1, it’s probably a more economical choice… you probably don’t need the extra upstream bandwidth a T line provides unless you’re running webservers, too. Several folks have recommended speakeasy, might want to check and see if they have any offerings in your area.

]]> By: Greg http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1552 Greg Sun, 13 Jun 2004 17:07:58 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1552 How much bandwidth do you need to start with? For 100 units, do you need a T1? How much bandwidth do you need to start with? For 100 units, do you need a T1?

]]> By: Korak http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1551 Korak Mon, 07 Jun 2004 19:18:25 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1551 My friends have great solution. They formed the company to provide internet in apartment complexes. Nowadays internet is no more luxury. It should be one of the amenities in apartment complexes. NoWires is a new energetic company to provide internet to apartment complexes which is cheap for landlord to afford. If you need any information, please email me. Thanks, Korak My friends have great solution. They formed the company to provide internet in apartment complexes. Nowadays internet is no more luxury. It should be one of the amenities in apartment complexes. NoWires is a new energetic company to provide internet to apartment complexes which is cheap for landlord to afford. If you need any information, please email me.

Thanks,
Korak

]]> By: poke in the eye... http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1585 poke in the eye... Tue, 25 May 2004 11:46:20 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1585 <strong>The Apartment (1960)</strong> My landlord was looking for a way to get an edge on the competition for our small apartment complex. I suggested wireless broadband. Various wacky hijinks ensue, and in the end, no one goes to jail. Or they wouldn't have, if it hadn't been for those me... The Apartment (1960)

My landlord was looking for a way to get an edge on the competition for our small apartment complex. I suggested wireless broadband. Various wacky hijinks ensue, and in the end, no one goes to jail. Or they wouldn’t have, if it hadn’t been for those me…

]]> By: Column of the Wolf http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1584 Column of the Wolf Sat, 22 May 2004 04:06:31 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1584 <strong>Apartment Complex — Unwired</strong> Interesting article about setting up free wireless broadband access for a small apartment complex — and how the unwiring paid for itself by helping fill empty units — via BoingBoing... Apartment Complex — Unwired

Interesting article about setting up free wireless broadband access for a small apartment complex — and how the unwiring paid for itself by helping fill empty units — via BoingBoing…

]]> By: JC http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1550 JC Fri, 21 May 2004 02:50:39 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1550 Hi BC - Thanks for the referral! Not too worried about it though... from my limited testing, we don't seem to be using much bandwidth, probably alot less than I did when I had my own broadband connection and used p2p software. Which answers your question as well, Crash. I'm not worried about a slowdown, because the project is limited in scope. It's not a typical wisp situation, because there are only 48 units, of which probably 1/2 to 2/3 have computers, and only a few have more than one. The place is mostly old people, a few police officers and maybe 4 or 5 units have younger people, myself included. Most of the people here only get online to check email or research things. I do want to install some of the stuff mentioned in comments above to make sure things stay under control. If we did need a second connection we could probably use some meshing stuff, it's not something I've given alot of thought to. One thing I'd like to do along those lines at some point is set up WDS (I think that's what it was...) so that all the access points can have the same name and cards can transparently choose whichever one has the strongest connection at any given moment (for people whose apartments face the center, the central point is often stronger than the internal one). On most networks, the solution for a problem like you describe is probably bandwidth trottling, packet shaping, port/application blocking, that sort of thing... unless there's a real saturation, it's usually going to be an individual or a few of them using p2p or something. Of course, here, we'd just have a little talk with the person in question and suggest they get a private broadband connection or stop using p2p (or whatever is sucking bandwidth) Hi BC – Thanks for the referral! Not too worried about it though… from my limited testing, we don’t seem to be using much bandwidth, probably alot less than I did when I had my own broadband connection and used p2p software.
Which answers your question as well, Crash.
I’m not worried about a slowdown, because the project is limited in scope. It’s not a typical wisp situation, because there are only 48 units, of which probably 1/2 to 2/3 have computers, and only a few have more than one. The place is mostly old people, a few police officers and maybe 4 or 5 units have younger people, myself included. Most of the people here only get online to check email or research things. I do want to install some of the stuff mentioned in comments above to make sure things stay under control.

If we did need a second connection we could probably use some meshing stuff, it’s not something I’ve given alot of thought to. One thing I’d like to do along those lines at some point is set up WDS (I think that’s what it was…) so that all the access points can have the same name and cards can transparently choose whichever one has the strongest connection at any given moment (for people whose apartments face the center, the central point is often stronger than the internal one).

On most networks, the solution for a problem like you describe is probably bandwidth trottling, packet shaping, port/application blocking, that sort of thing… unless there’s a real saturation, it’s usually going to be an individual or a few of them using p2p or something. Of course, here, we’d just have a little talk with the person in question and suggest they get a private broadband connection or stop using p2p (or whatever is sucking bandwidth)

]]> By: Column of the Wolf http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1583 Column of the Wolf Fri, 21 May 2004 01:29:39 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1583 <strong>Apartment Complex — Unwired</strong> Interesting article about setting up free wireless broadband access for a small apartment complex — and how the unwiring paid for itself by helping fill empty units via BoingBoing... Apartment Complex — Unwired

Interesting article about setting up free wireless broadband access for a small apartment complex — and how the unwiring paid for itself by helping fill empty units via BoingBoing…

]]> By: Crash http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1549 Crash Thu, 20 May 2004 21:24:06 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1549 How is your bandwidth holding up as the number of users increase? Although I doubt too many of the senior citizens are downloading illegal mp3's, at some point I would expect you to notice a slowdown. If you have any solutions (possibly integrating two high-speed connections?), let us know. How is your bandwidth holding up as the number of users increase? Although I doubt too many of the senior citizens are downloading illegal mp3’s, at some point I would expect you to notice a slowdown. If you have any solutions (possibly integrating two high-speed connections?), let us know.

]]> By: ~bc http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1548 ~bc Thu, 20 May 2004 03:19:25 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1548 Hey, if you're worried about the sharing ramifications, there are cool ISPs who will work with you. My ISP, Speakeasy.net allows WiFi sharing. Encourages it, in fact. The system that they have set up now is different from what you do, but you never know what you might work out... check 'em out: <a href="http://www.speakeasy.net/refer/217746" rel="nofollow">Speakeasy.net</a> They are giving away an iPod for sign up, and do referral rewards too. But I wouldn't hawk 'em if I were unhappy. I certainly appreciated the tripling of my download speed for no additional cost. Hey, if you’re worried about the sharing ramifications, there are cool ISPs who will work with you. My ISP, Speakeasy.net allows WiFi sharing. Encourages it, in fact. The system that they have set up now is different from what you do, but you never know what you might work out… check ‘em out: Speakeasy.net They are giving away an iPod for sign up, and do referral rewards too. But I wouldn’t hawk ‘em if I were unhappy. I certainly appreciated the tripling of my download speed for no additional cost.

]]> By: JC http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1547 JC Thu, 20 May 2004 00:24:14 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1547 Hmm. Laundryview.com doesn't work, for some reason.. but if you go to <a href="http://www.laundryview.com/index.php" rel="nofollow">index.php</a>, it does. Heh. No way am I going to do somethign that in-depth. But cool idea anyway. I'm sure it's very useful in college dorms or larger buildings. Hmm. Laundryview.com doesn’t work, for some reason.. but if you go to index.php, it does. Heh. No way am I going to do somethign that in-depth. But cool idea anyway. I’m sure it’s very useful in college dorms or larger buildings.

]]> By: Broke_Kid Blog http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1581 Broke_Kid Blog Wed, 19 May 2004 20:35:52 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1581 <strong>Apartment Complex -- Unwired</strong> Summary: My landlord was looking for a way to get an edge on the competition for our small apartment complex. I suggested wireless broadband. Various wacky hijinks ensue, and in the end, no one goes to jail. Or they wouldn't... Apartment Complex — Unwired

Summary: My landlord was looking for a way to get an edge on the competition for our small apartment complex. I suggested wireless broadband. Various wacky hijinks ensue, and in the end, no one goes to jail. Or they wouldn’t…

]]> By: JC http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1546 JC Wed, 19 May 2004 18:31:36 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1546 I should note, I mentioned comcast in the story because when we were initially looking a year and a half ago they were the only broadband provider in the area, not because we're using them. There are quite a few available now... I think 4 or 5 different DSL providers, a half dozen wireless broadband systems, and one company selling T1s at a really reasonable rate... for a T1, anyway. (though we'd have to charge a fee to residents if we went with that option... ) I should note, I mentioned comcast in the story because when we were initially looking a year and a half ago they were the only broadband provider in the area, not because we’re using them. There are quite a few available now… I think 4 or 5 different DSL providers, a half dozen wireless broadband systems, and one company selling T1s at a really reasonable rate… for a T1, anyway. (though we’d have to charge a fee to residents if we went with that option… )

]]> By: Josh Santangelo http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1545 Josh Santangelo Wed, 19 May 2004 18:28:58 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1545 C'mon, you can do better than a Laundry Cam: http://www.laundryview.com/ C’mon, you can do better than a Laundry Cam:

http://www.laundryview.com/

]]> By: Michael Mee http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1544 Michael Mee Wed, 19 May 2004 18:12:39 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1544 Great story! FYI, we have a similar setup in the Golden Hill Neighborhood of San Diego. http://www.goldenhillfreeweb.org This is growing slowly as other landlords get in on the the project - now we have 5 APs covering a 3 x 6 block residential area. This project inspired a grander project at http://www.socalfreenet.org which we hope will inspire other neighboorhoods to do similar. Thanks again for the great writeup! cheers, michael Great story! FYI, we have a similar setup in the Golden Hill Neighborhood of San Diego.

http://www.goldenhillfreeweb.org

This is growing slowly as other landlords get in on the the project – now we have 5 APs covering a 3 x 6 block residential area.

This project inspired a grander project at http://www.socalfreenet.org which we hope will inspire other neighboorhoods to do similar.

Thanks again for the great writeup!

cheers, michael

]]> By: Wi-Fi Networking News http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1580 Wi-Fi Networking News Wed, 19 May 2004 18:06:14 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1580 <strong>Apartment Building Offers Free But Not Permitted Wi-Fi to Residents</strong> An apartment resident worked with his landlord to build out good Wi-Fi coverage for free Internet access--but did he read the Comcast contract?: The page documents how "JC" worked with his landlord to build out ubiquitous coverage for the complex, inci... Apartment Building Offers Free But Not Permitted Wi-Fi to Residents

An apartment resident worked with his landlord to build out good Wi-Fi coverage for free Internet access–but did he read the Comcast contract?: The page documents how “JC” worked with his landlord to build out ubiquitous coverage for the complex, inci…

]]> By: tom http://www.forevergeek.com/2004/05/apartment_complex_unwired/comment-page-1/#comment-1543 tom Wed, 19 May 2004 17:50:35 +0000 http://forevergeek.com/?p=364#comment-1543 There are several good options to learning about NoCat and what it can do for your network. At the PTP (<a href="http://www.personaltelco.net" rel="nofollow">Personal Telco Project</a> ) we are working up some easy to follow instructions for turning a low end PC with two nics and an AP into a NoCat gateway/Server/Router. While its still rough folks have been able to use these instructions to get a working box up (<a href="http://wiki.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/NewCloneArmyInstallMethodology" rel="nofollow">Instructions</a>) The fella who runs the PublicIP project did up a special bootable iso for us to test out and might be a good way for you to get your feet wet (<a href="http://www.publicip.org/mirror/dists/beta/ptp/" rel="nofollow">iso</a>) The other way to test it out is to grab a wrt54g and flash it with the new Ewrt firmware (<a href="http://www.portless.net/ewrt/" rel="nofollow">firmware</a>) that adds nocat and some other goodies to the linksys. Of course you could just hit the <a href="http://nocat.net" rel="nofollow">Nocat site</a> and plunge in from the source. I hope this helps some. -tomhiggins There are several good options to learning about NoCat and what it can do for your network.

At the PTP (Personal Telco Project ) we are working up some easy to follow instructions for turning a low end PC with two nics and an AP into a NoCat gateway/Server/Router. While its still rough folks have been able to use these instructions to get a working box up (Instructions)

The fella who runs the PublicIP project did up a special bootable iso for us to test out and might be a good way for you to get your feet wet (iso)

The other way to test it out is to grab a wrt54g and flash it with the new Ewrt firmware (firmware) that adds nocat and some other goodies to the linksys.

Of course you could just hit the Nocat site and plunge in from the source.

I hope this helps some.

-tomhiggins

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