Understanding equipment required

[rict]

Having read your website, am I right in thinking the setup below will work:

1. A HP switch to which is connected
2. Windows XP PC with FirstSpot software loaded
3. MIMO router on DSL business class line with fixed IP
4. 5 access points, one of which has a directional antenna pointing to a housing estate

i.e. we are using the access points to connect the clients, not the router.
Our ISP has already agreed to us selling on the service


Is DHCP handled by the router or your software?

[alan]

Couple of observations:

1) You setup look okay. You might want to check out http://www.patronsoft.com/firstspot/topologies.html (Scenario 1) for more information

2) Yes, FirstSpot will handle client DHCP requests. Make sure you turn off the DHCP server within your APs to avoid conflict.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[rict]

thanks.

on those topologies why is the router optional (between the server and the internet)? Surely a router is needed to connect to DSL or a leased line?

[alan]

A router between FirstSpot and the Internet is definitely recommended.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[rict]

Does that mean the PC on which the software is loaded needs 2 network cards? (to keep the access points separate from the router without going through FirstSpot)??

If not, can the PC, router and access points all connect into the same switch?

Its just that the diagrams in your topologies show 2 lines coming out of the PC i.e. the PC is a physical barrier between the internet and the APs and there is no LAN route from APs to router.

[alan]

Yes, you need 2 network cards in the FirstSpot machine. FirstSpot itself acts as a gateway to the Internet at large.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~