[MLB-WIRELESS] Senao "all in one" high power outdoor units

[Rowan 2006]

Whoops - forgot to send to the list. Apologies Robert.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 10:34:05 +1000 (EST)
From: Rowan 2006 <rowan2006 at sensation.net.au>
To: Robert Hart <robert at air-stream.org>
Subject: Re: [MLB-WIRELESS] Senao "all in one" high power outdoor units

On Thu, 7 Sep 2006, Robert Hart wrote:

>  I would suggest a WRAP2 with a Senao 400mw MiniPCI and 8dbi Superpas
> Omni, this would allow for expansion at a latter stage as you can  add
> an extra  CM9 with a 29dbi Grid Dish when you find others who also have
> similar setups it will allow you then to propagate your network services
> further afield.

Hi Robert,

I have been looking at the WRAP2 as an option. I was particularly
interested because it's x86 based which means it can run FreeBSD, which is
seemingly quite rare in the embedded wireless world. :) On the minus side,
just the board and miniPCI card alone will cost more than the self
contained Senao AP; then it will still need weatherproofing, POE
injection, custom FreeBSD compile, and an antenna.

I haven't mentioned that I already have a FreeBSD PC as a dedicated
wireless server (more a firewall with a dedicated crossover ether so it's
effectively isolated from my own wired network) which means that future
expansion could be as simple as connecting another AP to it.

It's a tossup really... convenience now versus long term expansion
possibilities. I just have to decide whether adding extra APs is a
flexible enough solution, or whether I should just do it your way from the
start. :)

Another thing that just popped into my head is to use a Senao 400mW card
with a miniPCI-PCI adaptor and install that into the existing FreeBSD
server (assuming the ath driver supports AP mode). This brings other
issues such as antenna cable losses into the equation though.

Cheers.