Here is a step-by-step guide for setting up your access point to provide client access to the SeattleWireless network.
Firmware version: Before you set up your access point you may want to check the version of the firmware that was shipped with your hardware. Take a look at the comments in the HardwareComparison page; this may provide some hints on what firmware has proven to work the best. Otherwise, the latest version posted on the manufacturers web site should work out the best.
Configuration software: Once you get an access point you will need to change the out-of-the-box settings to be compatible with the SeattleWireless Network. In most cases the vendor-supplied software is a highly dumbed-down tool allowing the user to change only a few of the many settings on the access point. There are many third party SNMP tools that can be used to view and modify the settings. Once again, the comments on the HardwareComparison page may provide some hints on what software has proven to work the best. Otherwise send out a message to the DEV mailing list and someone will help. Once you get your access point all ready to use, here are the settings you will be interested in changing:
SSID: Set this to "seattlewireless" (no caps, no quotes, no space)
WEP: Set this to off. Hardware compatability, not client security is the first priority in the design of the network. See SecurityIssues for hints on protecting yourself at the client level.
Name: Set this to the name of your node. Use the node name as the title of your Wiki page about your node. Most nodes are named to provide some idea of the location. See IpAllocation for a list of node names in use.
Location: Put in your address if you are comfortable. You could just use the two nearest cross streets.
Channel: Check out other nodes near you and pick the least used channel. Note that there are only three channels that don't overlap. Your channel setting should be 1, 6 or 11 to prevent overlap.
Password: Most access points ship with a password like public or default. You will need to change this prevent someone from driving by and messing all your settings up.
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Edit conflict - other version:
DHCP: Your access point (or the network it is connected to if your access point is not running a DHCP server) will need be set up to serve the proper IP addresses. Check out the IpAllocation page to determine what range you should be using. Reserve your range on the IpAllocation page and set up your network accordingly.
You are now part of the Seattlewireless network.
Edit conflict - your version:
DHCP: Your access point (or the network it is connected to if your access point is not running a DHCP server) will need be set up to serve the proper IP addresses. Check out the IpAllocation page to determine what range you should be using. Reserve your range on the IpAllocation page and set up your network accordingly.
You are now part of the Seattlewireless network.
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