Did you use the 802.11b wireless LAN at EPC@T?

[soap108]

(also any feedback from wireless at Moto-Midwest would be appreciated)

So for those of you who used the soap_wireless SSID, pls provide some feedback, both the good and the bad.

Certainly a part of the good news is we were able to deploy it and not interfere with FIRST operations (that'll help us bring it back next year). Also, CISCO- the major supplier of the WAPs- was impressed by its utilization and wants to take wireless to the next level at FIRST events, especially EPC@T.

I wish we'd had tested more items like getting the soap video stream working over the network, not just the wireless part, but also in Raytheon's Inet Tent. Also the DHCP server inside some of our routers couldn't quite handle the amount of clients that connected. (but that's actually a "good problem" as we now know where to beef up the system for 2003)

Also, you might say security was not very high on the wireless..........a subject that will be looked at with great interest for next year.

Thanks for any feedback,
KA-108
Team 108 - SigmaC@T

[jnatt]

To add to the comments above:

Please take the time and provide the feed back.

We at SOAP deployed 802.11b wireless at both the Championship and Motorola Midwest. Each was a learning opportunity for our team, but inorder to provide a even higher level of service for everyone next year we need your imput.

Plans next year include:
- Have both 11b and 11a (if possible)
- Providing more coverage
- Enhancing security for next year.
- Have the Internet Tent covered if not the entire pit area.

But we need your feedback to make this all happen and much more.

Thanks for your support:

[Alfred Thompson]

I would have used it if someone (anyone) would have helped me hook up. In hind sight I wonder if switching to DHCP would have done it. That is what let me get the open ethernet port to work with my laptop. (Thanks for that BTW - It made it possible for me to update the folks back home with email and school web page updates.)
Had I been able to get the wireless working we would have had two laptops on the net and would have been able (and willing) to share. If you do it next year let me know in advance and I may be able to bring a number of laptops with me.

[FotoPlasma]

In most networks, one can assume DHCP to work, unless otherwise specified...

All I need, between now and next year's Nationals, is a laptop and an 802.11a/b card.

I wish I could have taken advantage of it this year... :(

[Alfred Thompson]

Originally posted by FotoPlasma
In most networks, one can assume DHCP to work, unless otherwise specified...

All I need, between now and next year's Nationals, is a laptop and an 802.11a/b card.

I wish I could have taken advantage of it this year... :(

I'm way too used to secure networks where DHCP will not work and where some sort of access code is always required for access to a wireless network.

[Joe Matt]

I got a connection one time when my friend hoked on. I loved it! It was fast and had a good connection. Then when I closed my Airport, I had to reconnect and it didn't work!

[jnatt]

Originally posted by JosephM
I got a connection one time when my friend hoked on. I loved it! It was fast and had a good connection. Then when I closed my Airport, I had to reconnect and it didn't work!

Actually:

I sort of disable your ability to use the Airport. I enabled some security featurs on the 802.11b system at the request of Disney. Thus I killed you.

Sorry.....

I am already planning next years networks for both FIRST and SOAP. I will tell you we will be pre-registering users for next years system as NASA and several other groups are going to be operating 802.11b systems as well.

I would encourage everyone to insure that any 802.11b system they get is Wi-Fi compliant and capable of 128-bit WEP. Additionally should the IEEE standardize 802.11i security we will be using that as well next year to keep Disney IT happy.

With much respects:

I am the Doctor of the Networks

Joel

[jnatt]

Originally posted by Alfred Thompson


I'm way too used to secure networks where DHCP will not work and where some sort of access code is always required for access to a wireless network.

Any good network will be DHCP, but will have other security features enabled. So you are correct in some form.

JN

[Trashed20]

i didn't even know we had one. you need to really advertise it. good idea though anyway. Are you going to turn on 128 bit encryption or lower it for the less expensive cards?

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by jnatt


Actually:

I sort of disable your ability to use the Airport. I enabled some security featurs on the 802.11b system at the request of Disney. Thus I killed you.

Sorry.....

I am already planning next years networks for both FIRST and SOAP. I will tell you we will be pre-registering users for next years system as NASA and several other groups are going to be operating 802.11b systems as well.

I would encourage everyone to insure that any 802.11b system they get is Wi-Fi compliant and capable of 128-bit WEP. Additionally should the IEEE standardize 802.11i security we will be using that as well next year to keep Disney IT happy.

With much respects:

I am the Doctor of the Networks

Joel

Well, that's not nice!

But when I go this year, will you fix it and still alow us to use the Airport network?

[MacZealot]

PLEEEEEEZE enable airport this year, you can now (finally) utilize 128bit security and such too...


Still, I'll probably be going there with an ibook and will be VERY angry if it doesn't work ;)

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by MacZealot
PLEEEEEEZE enable airport this year, you can now (finally) utilize 128bit security and such too...


Still, I'll probably be going there with an ibook and will be VERY angry if it doesn't work ;)

Ditto here, but that's if its still at Epcot....

[MacZealot]

hahahaha, another mac user?!

SWEET! :D

[Joe Matt]

Originally posted by MacZealot
hahahaha, another mac user?!

SWEET! :D

I'm not the only one.

We have MattK and our very own webmaster Brandon who uses a 17' iMac.

[evulish]

It would be interesting to run a Quake 3 server or something over that network...then whenever anyone is bored, just log in and frag a bit :) Might bog down the network a bit, though :)

[Alfred Thompson]

Bored??? At a FIRST competition? What are you, crazy?? How could that happen. Tired I can understand. Bored? Not hardly.

Regarding Macs. A computer that runs as much Microsoft software as the Mac can't be all bad. Microsoft makes and sells more software for the Mac than anyone else.

[MacZealot]

lol. I'd frag you with my railgun before you could jump!

:D

I hope an ibook g4 comes out before then or otherwise I might just have to get a powerbook.

*shrug*

*starts saving money like crazy before then*

[evulish]

I dunno. I've won quite a few Tourneys using only the gauntlet :)

[jnatt]

After some early discussion with First and other groups we will deploying a more robuse network for all to use.

Some of the items we will be considering, but not certain of is including WLAN access to the Internet for everyone.

But we must remember that the primary group is that of the First Program, then the providing groups (e.g. Soap and others).

But in the end I for see a large deployment of a Secure Network.

Items that we will include in this Years WLAN are:
128-bit WEP
Mac Authentication (802.1x)

This will be a 802.11b system still.

Joel

[Alfred Thompson]

Are you going to have a preregistration so that a lot ofthe stuff can be setup before the Championship? It seems to me that things are crazy enough without trying to get 100 MAC addresses in to the syatem on day one.

[Rick Vogl]

Originally posted by soap108
(also any feedback from wireless at Moto-Midwest would be appreciated)

So for those of you who used the soap_wireless SSID, pls provide some feedback, both the good and the bad.

Certainly a part of the good news is we were able to deploy it and not interfere with FIRST operations (that'll help us bring it back next year). Also, CISCO- the major supplier of the WAPs- was impressed by its utilization and wants to take wireless to the next level at FIRST events, especially EPC@T.

I wish we'd had tested more items like getting the soap video stream working over the network, not just the wireless part, but also in Raytheon's Inet Tent. Also the DHCP server inside some of our routers couldn't quite handle the amount of clients that connected. (but that's actually a "good problem" as we now know where to beef up the system for 2003)

Also, you might say security was not very high on the wireless..........a subject that will be looked at with great interest for next year.

Thanks for any feedback,
KA-108
Team 108 - SigmaC@T

I'd like to know who at Cisco you worked and if they are serious about deploying gear at the Nationals or other regionals.

Team 230 has a Linksys WAP11 that could be thrown into the fray if necessary but these devices have limited range.

Also, who was it at FIRST that you contacted about the use of the equipment. There would not be any interference issues with Wi-Fi but it is best to be above board with them.

[jnatt]

Originally posted by Rick Vogl
I'd like to know who at Cisco you worked and if they are serious about deploying gear at the Nationals or other regionals.


Within Cisco I have dealt with Global partnership organizations and through several of the Major Sponsors they have helped to secure the systems for all.

But we need to thank organizations like Raython, Motorola, and others that have taken the time to resource the staff and equipment for all.

Also, who was it at FIRST that you contacted about the use of the equipment. There would not be any interference issues with Wi-Fi but it is best to be above board with them.

FIRST has been gracious enough to provide contacts, but have allowed the experts to do what needs to be done to better the program.

I think that is the best answer one can provide.