Going wireless: Easier (and cheaper) than you think

Wireless has it's good uses, using a laser link at the office with a wireless backup.The setup works well. People don't normally realize the danger in not setting up the system correctly (switching encryption off)
 
Wireless has its uses, but its not a wonder_solve_all_problems_in_one solution. Many people make this mistake, then end up having to spend the same amount to lay cables anyway.
 
Wireless != peace of mind.

Wireless is the way to go. It is fast, super-convenient, secure, affordable and very easy to set up and use

with blurbs like this who wouldnt want wireless? :eek:

but lets just rethink this statement and face some realities.

fast... :

Wireless G* (54mbps) perfomance still lags dramatically behind a cabled connection (100mbps or 1gbps). (yes the .n draft remedies this somewhat but its not cost effective or in its final state just yet)
Example: Try copying a 2gb file over your wireless connection and then copy the same file over cable, see the difference!.

* i'm using G as a base performance indicator because super G (108) was never a solid standard and there just isnt enough compatibility among vendors )

very easy to setup...

How many IT support calls do you think i get for a cabled network? almost none, unless the cable is broken in some way the cable medium is as near to trouble free as you can get.
However with wireless... There are just so many hidden variables to consider when setting up and troubleshooting. it could be the access point, or the router, or the adaptor or a 3rd party wifi software bug etc.

secure...

via CABLE:
*Want to join into a ethernet cable based network? without physical access to the cable medium u'r completely out of luck.

* excludes access achieved through the internet , extranet based network access and or direct terminal access.

via WIRELESS:
It broadcasts your network beyond the physical boundaries of your home/office. You have no control on who can attempt to gain access to your network.

no encryption enabled? anybody can gain access.
WEP encryption enabled? a few minutes of using a crack tool and you are in
WPA/WPA2 - you are at least adequately protected for now.

Wireless networking is a phenomenon that is significantly boosting overall personal and business efficiency

How exactly is my efficiency getting boosted? I'm certainly not getting a faster or more secure experience , I'm only getting location convenience.

"Setting up the wireless network at home or in the office is quite simple. It is a matter if plugging in the ADSL line into the router, adjusting some easy settings such as giving your network a name and enabling security, and entering your user name and password provided by the ISP," says Lange.

yes setting up wireless can be easy if you know exactly what you are doing. However they failed to mention: signal strength issues, wireless mode compatibility issues, channel interference issues, encryption mis-match and compatibility issues, multiple network device interactivity issues etc etc

There are certain things that you compromise to have a wireless based infastructure .... speed,reliability & security.
If you are happy compromising on at least 2 of those then by all means uncable your home/office and enjoy the wireless experience. :)

my final thoughts... STICK TO CABLE , it just works!
 
STICK TO CABLE , it just works!

inclined to agree there, of course if you have a lot of people around the office with laptops that move around it could be good with wireless...
 
inclined to agree there, of course if you have a lot of people around the office with laptops that move around it could be good with wireless...
Or if you rent accommodation, have a wife that dislikes wires, desire just a bit more flexibility . . . or buy Apple hardware which comes with 802.11n :D
 
I am no expert but let me tell you of my layman experience of trying use wireless:

Recently our Telkom cables were stolen for the second time this year. Takes Telkom 2-3 weeks to replace them each time. So being without the net, and going to the airport for a meeting, I took my laptop with. Having never used wireless before, I turned on my laptop and the wireless thingy, and in two ticks it detected several connections. I clicked one that didnt have padlock on called "internet". Connected easy enough.

Then I opened my browser and was presented with a logon page. I could choose between 4 or 5 different ISPs, all requiring credit card details. The price - R50 per 20 minutes access.

Who the hell could afford that? I probably would have checked emails and replied to some for about an hour or so using maybe a meg of data - that would have seen R150 being charged to my credit card.

Clicked "no thank you", turned off the wireless thingy and played solataire for an hour till my meeting started.
 
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