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* What\'s the difference between an Access Point and a PC Card? [1]
* Which is better, an Access point or a PC Card? [2]
* So, how do we all talk to each other on this network ? [3]
* I\'ve got other equipment using the 2.4GHz range, how does 802.11b
handle this ? [4]
* Why arent we using IPv6? [5]
* I\'ve got more questions on how 802.11b works ... lots more
questions [6]
* I can\'t get to the next meeting, and it\'s not THAT many
questions. [7]
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WHAT\'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ACCESS POINT AND A PC CARD?
Broadly speaking.
* A PC CARD contains the actual (RF) wireless hardware and is a plug
in peripheral.
* An ACCESS POINT is a stand alone unit that contains the (RF)
wireless hardware (which may be a PC Card) along with any other
hardware required to run the unit.
Narrowing that statement down a bit.
A PC CARD, either PCI [8] or PCMCIA [9] requires a PC [10] to manage
the hardware interfacing along with software drivers (sometimes
firmware) to talk to that interface and OS.
An ACCESS POINT attempts to be an all in one package that will manage
any traffic that it sees, independently of any PC style computer. It
will have its own onboard processor, ram and firmware but usually (in
our price range) only just enough to do the job. It may also offer
limited services such as DHCP or firewalling.
-------------------------
WHICH IS BETTER, AN ACCESS POINT OR A PC CARD?
Neither; like everything else in life, it depends on other factors.
Keep researching though as the more information you have the closer
you'll get to the answer, for your situation.
-------------------------
SO, HOW DO WE ALL TALK TO EACH OTHER ON THIS NETWORK ?
Being a Networking FAQ the answer to that would be TCP/IP, the same
glue that _"the internet"_ uses. Those same protocols
(http,ftp,ssh...) work for us as nothing has changed at that level.
There are a couple of low level issues that are specific to wireless
traffic but on the whole, what we have works quite well.
-------------------------
I\'VE GOT OTHER EQUIPMENT USING THE 2.4GHZ RANGE, HOW DOES 802.11B
HANDLE THIS ?
EG. CORDLESS TELEPHONE / OLD MICROWAVE OVEN / BLUETOOTH CAMERA /
HOMERF [11] SETUP / RF LIGHTING SOLUTION / ETC.
That depends on the specific situation, however at least for
microwave ovens if it effects your signal AT ALL then either you have
power issues (and should get them looked at) or you oven is leaking
(in which case it a health hazard and should be removed ASAP).
-------------------------
WHY ARENT WE USING IPV6?
Because not all the equipment we wish to support will run it.
-------------------------
I\'VE GOT MORE QUESTIONS ON HOW 802.11B WORKS ... LOTS MORE QUESTIONS
Great! Then why don't you come to our next meeting [12] (Or even a
Regional Group [13] meeting if appropriate) and people there will be
happy to answer questions and do demonstrations.
-------------------------
I CAN\'T GET TO THE NEXT MEETING, AND IT\'S NOT THAT MANY QUESTIONS.
Add your query to FAQYourAdditions [14] where someone will answer it,
and if it's suitable for inclusion here, also moderate or reformat as
appropriate.
The response, although sent to the mailing list [15], may not be as
quick as a direct question to the list so be prepared for a wait.
At the bottom of that page is a link to subscribe [16] to it, follow
the instructions and you'll be notified of any changes, but you will
need to register an account [17] and login before you ask your
question or subscribe.
Back to TheEvolvingFAQ [18]
Links:
------
[1]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#what_s_the_difference_between_an_access_point_and_a_pc_card_
[2]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#which_is_better__an_access_point_or_a_pc_card_
[3]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#sohow_do_we_all_talk_to_each_other_on_this_network
[4]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#i_ve_got_other_equipment_using_the_2_4ghz_rangehow_does_802_11b_handle_this
[5] http://melbournewireless.org.au/#why_arent_we_using_ipv6_
[6]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#i_ve_got_more_questions_on_how_802_11b_works_lots_more_questions
[7]
http://melbournewireless.org.au/#i_can_t_get_to_the_next_meetingand_it_s_notthat__many_questions_
[8] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PCI
[9] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PCMCIA
[10] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?PC
[11] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?HOMERF
[12] http://melbournewireless.org.au/events/monthly
[13] http://melbournewireless.org.au/wiki/?RegionalGroups
[14] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?FAQYourAdditions
[15] http://melbournewireless.org.au/about/lists
[16] http://melbournewireless.org.au/wiki/?subscribe=FAQYourAdditions
[17] http://melbournewireless.org.au/users/register
[18] http://melbournewireless.org.au/?TheEvolvingFAQ
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