Residential Wireless on a large scale?
Posted:
Jun 02 2004 04:20:01 pmby childofpunk
OK... I'm not too fluent on how to set up wireless networks, and 2 cisco reps later, I still don't know a whole lot.
My main question is whether or not it would be possible or cost effective to provide wireless internet to a residential area. I've looked at a few antennas, but they don't seem to be able to push more than 1200 ft. in the open. The Cisco rep I talked to said using access points from each home that send/recieve to a antenna that we control would be the best way, but it's sure as hell not cost effective.
So yeah... is there a way that wouldn't be too expensive?
Posted:
Jun 02 2004 04:46:22 pmby musirPmeaT
Get a real antenna. I've heard some people pushing several km's.
Posted:
Jun 02 2004 04:51:18 pmby academician
http://www.seattlewireless.net/ seems to have a decent amount of information similar to what you are looking for.
Nodes of residential wireless throughout Ames has been something a few of my friends and I have been kicking around for a while.
Posted:
Jun 02 2004 05:19:24 pmby Dr. Steve Anarchy
I recall reading about something like point-to-point wireless antenna networks in the Economist's Technology Quarterly, but it's been a long while since I read it.
Posted:
Jun 02 2004 06:46:53 pmby Sparx
old news .. but not 802.11 a/b/g/etc.. they have propritary methods for going more than the typical 100Meters .. i've seen solutions that mfgrs claim to go as far as a 20mile radius, w/o line of sight needed. however they noted in areas with tall buildings distance could be shortened
lower the frequency, the farther you can go
http://www.midwestwireless.com/Home/Pla ... ClearWave/
http://www.breezecom.com/
Posted:
Jun 02 2004 06:47:15 pmby musirPmeaT
Dr. Steve Chaos wrote:I recall reading about something like point-to-point wireless antenna networks in the Economist's Technology Quarterly, but it's been a long while since I read it.
I'm surprised more of that hasn't caught on. Basically a larger ad hoc, P2P, wireless network system. Apply P2P type protocols for dynamic routing and such.
Posted:
Jun 03 2004 12:30:46 amby Gen
http://www.cuwireless.net/ is a community wireless network a friend is working on. Their hardware descriptions might be useful.
Posted:
Jun 03 2004 02:04:16 amby Dr. Steve Anarchy
musirPmeaT wrote:Basically a larger ad hoc, P2P, wireless network system. Apply P2P type protocols for dynamic routing and such.
That's basically what it sounds like, given their description. I think the challenge is in establishing "critical mass" - where a network would be self-supporting.
Posted:
Jun 03 2004 02:23:58 amby musirPmeaT
Dr. Steve Chaos wrote:musirPmeaT wrote:Basically a larger ad hoc, P2P, wireless network system. Apply P2P type protocols for dynamic routing and such.
That's basically what it sounds like, given their description. I think the challenge is in establishing "critical mass" - where a network would be self-supporting.
Yet another chicken and the egg problem. Take either private/government funding to get the critical mass or geeky people do it on their own.
Same issue as converting to a hydrogren fueled country....
Posted:
Jun 04 2004 02:46:02 pmby inexodus
What exactly are you trying to cover? With a good omni antenna you can spread your wifi over a decent distance, but a directional antenna will go much farther to a single point. Check out
Hyperlink for tons of antennas.
I'd be all for a local wireless network around town, but I don't think I'm in a great location for it.