[Web4lib] Wireless WAN

[Bill Hudson]

Hi Kevin,
We've had a couple of experiences with wireless WANs and neither of them
were excellent. Passible is more of an apt description. Two different
vendors, two different technologies, but both saw signal degradation during
heavy downpours and snow. Electrical storms played havoc with one in
particular. 

If you're vendor is using equipment that works in the licensed spectrum,
like microwave, it is my understanding that this is far more reliable than
the stuff that operates in the unlicensed spectrum. 

If you're willing to deal with occasional slow downs and less than optimal
performance, then wireless is ok. But nothing compares to hardwired
connections done right. We've moved to a fiber optic network and it is
heavenly compared to wireless.

Bill

****************************************************************************
*
Bill Hudson
Deputy Administrator/Manager, Information Technology
Library System of Lancaster County
1866 Colonial Village Lane, Ste. 107
Lancaster, PA  17601
717-207-0500 ext. 1269
http://www.lancasterlibraries.org
AIM: billhudson2008
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org 
> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of kevin smith
> Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 11:09 AM
> To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Web4lib] Wireless WAN
> 
> Hello,
> 
> We have just had Sentinel Technologies, Inc. propose to us a 
> wireless WAN setup.  We have had iffy results with wireless 
> in the past.  These folks swear that they are different, that 
> they use "carrier class wireless equipment." I was just 
> wondering if any of you have had experience with:
> 
> 1. A wireless WAN or
> 
> 2. Sentinel Technologies
> 
> Any advice would be welcome.  As things stand now we have 
> five locations each with there own connection to the 
> internet.  It is almost impossible for us to maintain a 
> connection with Horizon, so two of our branches connect via 
> Terminal Services.  One big network would be a wonderful 
> thing, if it worked.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Kevin
> 
> --
> Kevin Smith
> Assistant Director
> Cass District Library AND
> The Fiddling Librarian: http://ashkev.weblogs.us 
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