We are using Cisco Aeronet 1240AG Access Points. These are powered via simple POE switches that are now part of my normal 3com stack, they come with a 120VtoDC brick if you have power handy along your ceiling. If you don't have a switch within the usual 1500' of the AP you can configure them to extend networking to each other using their 2nd built in radio to form their own quasi mesh network. (you would need 120VAC at each AP for this)
No need for any special server or dedicated special purpose switch to handle these, if you configure them with the same SSID and Security they hand off the clients automagically with no need for special help from a management device. (I confirmed this from Cisco once I got connected to a good application engineer in the right department)
We have a lot of EMF (Electro Magnetic Interference) and also many different walls and obstructions. I placed each AP roughly 200' apart assuming a range of 100' (200' Diameter). I replaced the factory antenna's with the high gain antenna's that look like PVC pipes with 3' cables. I did make 1' square metal plates to mount the antenna's to provide a good ground plane for better directed RF propogation. The only channel that seems to be succeptible to EMI in my environment is Channel 11, so I don't use that channel.
After completing the install I have done a site survey and have excellent signal pretty much everywhere. I could have spread them out further but I placed them partly based on sections of the building to cover, not just distance.
If you have an open plant area and use the high gain antenna's I would expect a range of 200' easily before the nearest overlap.
As for running the Vantage client I set up a Terminal Server and am using thin clients to RDP for each connection. This eliminates the chances of Vantage dropping due to temporary network interruptions because any hickup on the RDP/RF side will be invisible to Vantage.
The users chose to use DT Research DT360 Touchscreen Tablets because they have a larger screen than the Symbol 9090 gun and are much cheaper, this allows them to use their familiar MES screen rather than the much smaller HH screen. Both use RDP to connect to the Terminal Server and the DT360 has an optional barcode scanner built in plus it also has a forktruck/vehicle mount which are relatively cheap.
I don't think you need to spend a TON of money to go wireless, but each situation can dictate different solutions.
Hope this helps !
Neil
No need for any special server or dedicated special purpose switch to handle these, if you configure them with the same SSID and Security they hand off the clients automagically with no need for special help from a management device. (I confirmed this from Cisco once I got connected to a good application engineer in the right department)
We have a lot of EMF (Electro Magnetic Interference) and also many different walls and obstructions. I placed each AP roughly 200' apart assuming a range of 100' (200' Diameter). I replaced the factory antenna's with the high gain antenna's that look like PVC pipes with 3' cables. I did make 1' square metal plates to mount the antenna's to provide a good ground plane for better directed RF propogation. The only channel that seems to be succeptible to EMI in my environment is Channel 11, so I don't use that channel.
After completing the install I have done a site survey and have excellent signal pretty much everywhere. I could have spread them out further but I placed them partly based on sections of the building to cover, not just distance.
If you have an open plant area and use the high gain antenna's I would expect a range of 200' easily before the nearest overlap.
As for running the Vantage client I set up a Terminal Server and am using thin clients to RDP for each connection. This eliminates the chances of Vantage dropping due to temporary network interruptions because any hickup on the RDP/RF side will be invisible to Vantage.
The users chose to use DT Research DT360 Touchscreen Tablets because they have a larger screen than the Symbol 9090 gun and are much cheaper, this allows them to use their familiar MES screen rather than the much smaller HH screen. Both use RDP to connect to the Terminal Server and the DT360 has an optional barcode scanner built in plus it also has a forktruck/vehicle mount which are relatively cheap.
I don't think you need to spend a TON of money to go wireless, but each situation can dictate different solutions.
Hope this helps !
Neil
--- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, "rob.bucek" <rob.bucek@...> wrote:
>
> we are doing this using a combination of MC9090's and dell laptops all on the same network infastructure. You cant skimp on your network coverage or youll just tear your hair out from dropped connections and slow response. Make sure you have good overlap. We used motorala AP300's and WS2000's and these work pretty good. Rarely any problems with handoffs if you have proper overlap with your signal.
> --- In vantage@yahoogroups.com, Todd Caughey <caugheyt@> wrote:
> >
> > I know Vantage is very sensitive to network drop. The least little interruption kills the session. We are contemplating putting rugged laptops on forklifts. I know others have done this. What issues (and solutions) will come up in order to do this? We want to use Shop DC with AMM to move WIP around and record where we put it. Current proposal for plant wireless uses dual radio A/B/G access points (HP MSM320) that are a little pricey ($547 each) and I wonder if it is maybe overkill. Big concern is maintaining the Vantage session as the forklift passes from AP to AP and the handoff of the connection.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Todd Caughey
> > Harvey Vogel Mfg. Co.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>