overview - wireless

Egress Wireless Capabilities

The Egress™ Server has supported wireless networking since 2000 and has the ability to properly account for and track wireless users to the extent that the wireless hardware used enables this support. Egress™ has been tested with 802.11a/b/g wireless access points from major manufacturers from around the world including Terabeam, Cisco, Proxim, Linksys, D-Link, Netgear and Apple. Few competing products have the same levels of compatibility or the history for managing wireless networks as the Egress™ Serverv 4.5

The Egress™ Server v4.5 includes a full RADIUS server that can act as a dedicated RADIUS authentication platform for an entire property, or can be configured to communicate with an outside RADIUS server, which can then provide user authentication for any wireless computer connected to the Egress™ network. It also provides billing and management functionality not found in other wireless hotspot devices or available through HotSpot providers. See the following table for just a few examples.

Wireless Networking

Wireless networks use a combination of technologies (primarily Ethernet and 802.11b) to establish network connections. Property owners are becoming increasingly interested in it because of the notion that they can run high-speed networks without rewiring their property. In reality, this is only partially true. In order to provide the basic service, they must install what are called "Access Point" (APs) in the property. These are essentially broadcasting radios that listen for and broadcast to wireless network cards installed in computers. In order for these APs to work, they must be physically connected to the network, which means hardwired (see the diagram below). So while it is true that the computers connecting to the network are "wireless," the devices they attach to are not.

Wireless has several inherent problems that may be difficult to overcome:

• distance limitations,
• security leaves much to be desired
• 802.11a and 802.11b standards are incompatible, 80211b and 802.11g are compatible
• user tracking and billing is difficult without additional hardware
• Only three channels are available for use in 802.11a and 802.11b networks (this greatly limits the number of users who can attach to a given access point).
• Crosstalk or interference from other wireless devices (like cordless phones) hinder performance

Distance is the problem with wireless solutions. While ranges are published for wireless devices in the 150-500 foot ranges, these are typically best case scenarios where there are no walls, electrical interference, or physical obstructions. In most interior settings, you can expect one Access Point (AP) in a commercial building to cover about 100 feet, less if it has to travel through walls, metal, concrete or masonry blocks. Add to that the problem that speed decreases rapidly as distance from the AP increases and performance may also become an issue. All of this means you will need more than one AP per floor in a typical building. At a few hundred dollars each, the price can add up quickly.

Security problems are twofold: security of the network and security of the wireless cards you'll probably be handing out to users. Wireless networks are NOT secure. Why? Because of the simple fact that the data is being transmitted over airwaves and not dedicated cabling. Anyone with a wireless card can easily sniff packets right out of the air and find begin the process of snooping people's PCs if those PCs are not secured properly. Also, depending on the wireless card you use, setting up security may be more than you want your user to handle on a case-by-case basis.

There is a lot of talk about 802.11b (which is the most common wireless) using the Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) as being secure, but there is little evidence to support that. The new 802.11a standard is more secure, but it is incompatible with 802.11b and 802.11g hardware. So, if you are implementing 802.11b networks now and want to upgrade to 802.11a, you will have to replace all of your hardware to do so. Access Points that support 802.11a are about twice as expensive as 802.11b APs, so those costs will be higher too. APs that support both 802.11a and 802.11b are now available, although they are about twice the cost of 802.11b Access Points. It's probably a safe bet that those products will be expensive as well.

From the network card distribution issue, most people don't have wireless network capabilities in their computers. That means the cards need to come from somewhere--most likely the property owner or the service provider. Furthermore, the property owner needs to maintain and control an inventory of these cards thus increasing work and responsibilities of the front desk staff and management.

User tracking is another problem related to the fact that users connect without knowing specifically where they are. This means that is more difficult to charge a user for service since you can't tell what room they're registered in. There are means to deal with this problem, such as using RADIUS (as is included with the Egress™ Server), but it's a process that requires more human intervention and can cause some confusion with users.

Want to learn more?

Contact Viator Networks sales at +1 480 704 4909 for detailed and specific information about your requirements.