[SGVLUG] WiFi @ BC

[Henry B Hotz]

If we stay at BC, we may want to do something about the WiFi signal strength by putting in a second access point (like I did in my last house). 

The existing WiFi also supports the credit card processing and point-of-sale terminal, and there seems to be some prioritization set up so the customer use doesn't interfere with that. The AP is with a bunch of phone wiring at the west end of the bar.

Ideally one would string an ethernet cable between them so we don't loose bandwidth to a relay link. Obviously we don't upset the existing priorities. (As many of you probably know) if you set the second AP to a different channel, but keep the network names and passwords the same then most things can transparently roam between the APs.

Unfortunately, no one technical or authoritative was there at the end of our meeting tonight, so I couldn't get any farther than that. I can't imagine that they would object to us expanding their capability though. 

I'm sure we can get volunteers and donations of the equipment and labor needed. I have part of a spool of Cat 5 cable and connectors I could donate since I want to start using Cat 5e or Cat 6. Someone else donates an AP (upgraded to x-wrt?), and someone else volunteers to climb ladders or crawl in attics. Finally someone to take care of the configuration, which might be trivial, depending on how hard it is to get good info on the existing AP.

Think we can talk BC into some free/discounted meals for doing it? I'd say do it anyway, but if someone can negotiate that, go for it.

Personal email.  hbhotz at oxy.edu