Vivato wireless switch

CaverChris · 06-11-2003

Does anyone have any experience with the Vivato Wireless Switch? We have them coming out for a demo in July to see if it might be something that would work well to deploy wireless connectivity for our campus. It has a range of over 2 miles outdoors, and can support 100 simultaneous active users (2 x 1GigE on LAN side). It seems that with proper antenna placement, this one device could be a much simpler implementation than multiple AP's. It also seems to have all the security features that we would want. Any feedback welcome.

TheSovereign · 06-11-2003

why would they call it a switch?
by definition wireless is a hub since everyone within range will recieve everyone elses data

thats false advertising

Thorn · 06-11-2003

Almost any AP (including the low-end consumer units) are able to go 2 miles with the right antenna, correct placement and a clear RF LOS. Change one of those factors, and no AP will do it all. If you are looking for a campus solution, you'll almost certainly need multiple APs, especially for laptop/PDA users without external antennae.

agentgrn · 06-11-2003

Looks like a lot of fluff to me.

Sov. has it right...switch...my ass. In fact, if you're not running in a CF wireless mode, then there is likely going to be trouble with wireless devices over the entire distance where some won't be able to hear other network cards talking...which will degrade performance.

It looks to me that it's got 3 APs, each on the major channels, and a beefy directional antenna.

In order to maintain the maximum availability and bandwidth, smaller cells are actually preferable. It might cost a little more to implement, but the classic approach is something that is known to work. 100 users is doable on the unit, with them split evenly among the 3 channels, but I'm not sure how that will be balanced. This won't fill a 100 meg link...much less a gig.

Then you have the problem with spotty coverage which you can't make up for with the suggested AP placement. At least in my roaming experience, the APs shouldn't overlap frequency coverage areas. Having two of these devices, using all 3 channels at once, might not pay as nice as advertised.

Depending on your network, there's a TON of stuff that the device does which you probably don't need as part of the equipment. NAT/DHCP/PPTP being three that I can think of offhand.

hydro27405 · 06-11-2003

Save yourself some $$$$ and look at SmartBridges equip. You can turn off client to client so no one on the network can see others, probably not a 100% but thats why programs like zonealarm are there. Than run a linux box for a server and you can run radious if you like, bandwidth shapping, mrtg, snmp. The freeware is endless with linux.
I have a Smartbridge access point with 9dbi ant. my clients use a 4dbi ant. and have about a 5 mile area on the river with very good link. with linux box about $500.00.
Hydro

TheSovereign · 06-11-2003

LOL they would still get it
that option is to stop peer to peer transfer from it as a an AP
u still get everyones data

michaelp · 06-11-2003

well I have been following these and they are damn sexy. The product is a wall of slotted waveguides interfaced into like a embedded computer. It also can sense if a person is not getting enough signal and direct more power for them and less on the people near it.

06-11-2003	#1 (permalink)
CaverChris Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 9	Vivato wireless switch Does anyone have any experience with the Vivato Wireless Switch? We have them coming out for a demo in July to see if it might be something that would work well to deploy wireless connectivity for our campus. It has a range of over 2 miles outdoors, and can support 100 simultaneous active users (2 x 1GigE on LAN side). It seems that with proper antenna placement, this one device could be a much simpler implementation than multiple AP's. It also seems to have all the security features that we would want. Any feedback welcome.

06-11-2003	#2 (permalink)
TheSovereign Master of the universe Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 658	why would they call it a switch? by definition wireless is a hub since everyone within range will recieve everyone elses data thats false advertising __________________ SO SAYS TheSovereign

06-11-2003	#3 (permalink)
Thorn Did you do the math? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Villa Straylight Posts: 10,358	Almost any AP (including the low-end consumer units) are able to go 2 miles with the right antenna, correct placement and a clear RF LOS. Change one of those factors, and no AP will do it all. If you are looking for a campus solution, you'll almost certainly need multiple APs, especially for laptop/PDA users without external antennae. __________________ Thorn "Read Altas Shrugged. Compare it to today. Repeat as necessary"

06-11-2003	#4 (permalink)
agentgrn KB1JQO - Packin' Heat Join Date: May 2002 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 517	Looks like a lot of fluff to me. Sov. has it right...switch...my ass. In fact, if you're not running in a CF wireless mode, then there is likely going to be trouble with wireless devices over the entire distance where some won't be able to hear other network cards talking...which will degrade performance. It looks to me that it's got 3 APs, each on the major channels, and a beefy directional antenna. In order to maintain the maximum availability and bandwidth, smaller cells are actually preferable. It might cost a little more to implement, but the classic approach is something that is known to work. 100 users is doable on the unit, with them split evenly among the 3 channels, but I'm not sure how that will be balanced. This won't fill a 100 meg link...much less a gig. Then you have the problem with spotty coverage which you can't make up for with the suggested AP placement. At least in my roaming experience, the APs shouldn't overlap frequency coverage areas. Having two of these devices, using all 3 channels at once, might not pay as nice as advertised. Depending on your network, there's a TON of stuff that the device does which you probably don't need as part of the equipment. NAT/DHCP/PPTP being three that I can think of offhand. __________________ -A.G.-

06-11-2003	#5 (permalink)
hydro27405 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: MN Posts: 96	$$$$$ Save yourself some $$$$ and look at SmartBridges equip. You can turn off client to client so no one on the network can see others, probably not a 100% but thats why programs like zonealarm are there. Than run a linux box for a server and you can run radious if you like, bandwidth shapping, mrtg, snmp. The freeware is endless with linux. I have a Smartbridge access point with 9dbi ant. my clients use a 4dbi ant. and have about a 5 mile area on the river with very good link. with linux box about $500.00. Hydro

06-11-2003	#6 (permalink)
TheSovereign Master of the universe Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 658	LOL they would still get it that option is to stop peer to peer transfer from it as a an AP u still get everyones data __________________ SO SAYS TheSovereign

06-11-2003	#7 (permalink)
michaelp Master Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 134	sexyness well I have been following these and they are damn sexy. The product is a wall of slotted waveguides interfaced into like a embedded computer. It also can sense if a person is not getting enough signal and direct more power for them and less on the people near it. Last edited by michaelp : 06-11-2003 at 09:24 PM.

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